Youth choir Balsis begins U.S. tour

Andris Straumanis | 

The youth chamber choir Balsis, one of Latvia’s leading choirs, begins a U.S. tour Nov. 14 that will see it perform concerts in a series of East Coast and Midwest locations.

Founded in 1987 and made up of students from several colleges and universities in Rīga, the choir has so far won recognition in nine international choir competitions. The choir’s repertoire ranges from early choral masterpieces to works by modern composers, according to the group’s promotional literature.

Conductors are Agita Ikauniece and Ints Teterovksis.

Besides its critically acclaimed live appearances, the choir also has recorded six albums, including two compact discs.

The choir’s tour begins Nov. 14 with a noon concert at the Federal Reserve Bank in Boston. Organizers and sponsors of the tour include the New York Latvian Concert Choir.

Other concerts are scheduled:

  • Nov. 15 at 8 p.m. in Hancock Congregational Church, Lexington, Mass.
  • Nov. 16 at 2 p.m. in the New York Latvian Ev.-Lutheran Church, 254 Valentine Lane, Yonkers, N.Y.
  • Nov. 17 during the 10 a.m. church service in the Latvian community center and church, 400 Hurley Ave., Rockville, Md. That appearance is followed by a 12:15 p.m. concert, also in the Rockville center, and a 3:30 p.m. concert in Washington National Cathedralat Massachusetts and Wisconsin avenues in Washington D.C.
  • Nov. 18 at 12:30 p.m. during an Latvian Independence Day diplomatic reception at the University Club, 1135 16th St. N.W., Washington, D.C.
  • Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. in the Latvian community center, 1385 Andrews Ave., Lakewood, Ohio.
  • Nov. 20 at 12:10 p.m. in Trinity Cathedral, 2021 East 22nd St., Cleveland, Ohio. Later that same day, a concert is set at 7 p.m. in St.Paul’s Lutheran Church, 322 Stewart Ave., Columbus, Ohio.
  • Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. in St. Luke Lutheran Church, 4205 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor, Mich.
  • Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. in Messiah Lutheran Church, 2727 Five Mile Road, Grand Rapids, Mich.
  • Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. in the Zion Latvian Ev.-Lutheran Church, 6555 W. Montrose Ave., Chicago.
  • Nov. 24 at 2:30 p.m. in the high school gymnasium in Jackson, Wisc., and at 7 p.m. in St.John’s Lutheran Church, 20851 W. Main St., Lannon, Wis.
  • Nov. 25 at 7:30 p.m. in the Lutheran Prepatory School, 1300 Western Ave., Watertown, Wis.
  • Nov. 26 at 7 p.m. in the Zion Ev.-Lutheran Church, 3340 Nebraska Ave., Toledo, Ohio.

After its U.S. tour, Balsis returns to Latvia to ready for a Dec. 25 Christmas Concert in Rīga. For further information about the choir, visit the choir’s Web site.

 

Andris Straumanis is a special correspondent for and a co-founder of Latvians Online. From 2000–2012 he was editor of the website.

Komersanti play professional country music

Egils Kaljo | 

Komersanti

Komersanti (The Merchants) play music in a folksy, country style. I wouldn’t necessarily call it schlager, though I think this album would appeal to schlager fans. Actually, they remind me a bit more of Bet Bet than anyone else. In any case, their 2002 album, Rozīt’ latviskā, is a collection of 12 songs in a number of different kind of folk styles.

The group is made up of Juris Pavītols on vocals and guitar (he’s also the main songwriter), Norlands Millers on guitar and vocals, Aldis Žīmants on bass guitar and vocals, and Edijs Cionelis on drums.

Komersanti prove themselves excellent musicians. However, the songs do not stay in memory very long, and I probably will not listen to this album much in the future.

One of my criticisms of this album is technical: the production makes some of the songs sound like they were recorded in an echo chamber. This is particularly evident on the lead track, “Roze,” which is a nice little song about a Latvian rose that is blooming somewhere very far away. Though this was probably my favorite song on the album, the echo effect on this song is a bit annoying.

Komersanti also must have listened to a few American country records, because there is a country feel to many of the songs. A good example is “Oda lidojums” (The Mosquito’s Flight), where the guitar work gives this song a particularly country feel. To further illustrate the country influence, they even have a song with a horse motif, “Zirga smaids” (The Horse’s Smile). No songs about pickup trucks, though!

Another song I like is “Aizlūgums.” Although once again in a country style, it is a very catchy, inoffensive song. “Velna dziesma” (The Devil’s Song), performed in more of a “boogie” style, is another a song I like. “Tu tik man netraucē” (Don’t You Disturb Me) is also a catchy song. I’m not sure who sings on the track, though it sounds strangely like Ainars Virga from the guitar rock group Līvi, as the vocal is rather deep and gruff. Like Līvi, Komersanti are from Liepāja, while Pavītols (who is a bit of rock legend in Latvia) has ties to Līvi.

Liner notes are very sparse, with no lyrics and just a few pictures of the band. Not knowing much about this group, it would have been nice to have a bit more information about the group in the notes.

Overall, Rozīt’ latviskā is not a bad album, but there are no songs that leap out and demand you listen to them over and over again. It is clear that these guys got together to play music, mainly because they enjoy it—and that is a good thing. They aren’t trying to change the world with their songs, and it is nice to listen to some music that isn’t overly earnest or overly serious.This is much better than much of the schlager in Latvia, as it isn’t bogged down by cheesy synthesizer tracks and drum machines. And because the members of the group are capable musicians, the album itself is very professionally done.

If you have an aversion to schlager or country music, best to avoid this release. This album is for those who prefer their music very mellow and with few surprises.

Details

Rozīt’ latviskā

Komersanti

Baltic Records Group,  2002

BRG CD 120

Egils Kaljo is an American-born Latvian from the New York area . Kaljo began listening to Latvian music as soon as he was able to put a record on a record player, and still has old Bellacord 78 rpm records lying around somewhere.

Latvia names new ambassador to France

Andris Straumanis | 

Rolands Lappuķe has been named Latvia’s new ambassador to France. He replaces Sandra Kalniete, who earlier this month was appointed Latvia’s new foreign minister in the government led by Prime Minister Einars Repše.

Lappuķe has been serving as the ambassador to Portugal.

Lappuķe intends to foster direct relationships between French and Latvian regional and municipal governments, as well as between citizens of both nations, according to an announcement from the office of President Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga.

The president presented Lappuķe with a letter of accreditation during a meeting in Rīga.

Andris Straumanis is a special correspondent for and a co-founder of Latvians Online. From 2000–2012 he was editor of the website.