Christmas Joy
Donald Macleod learns how, in Latvia, traditional Christian celebrations sit alongside ancient pagan customs and folk music honouring 鈥榋iemassv膿tki鈥 or Winter Solstice.
Donald Macleod visits the city of Riga to experience the seasonal music and Christmas traditions of Latvia 鈥 a country overflowing with choral excellence, and where singing is part of the national identity. Today he speaks to composer, U模is Prauli艈拧 about how his early experiences as a rock musician now informs his work as a choral composer. Donald also learns about the special way Latvians like to mark this time of year, mixing traditional Christian celebrations alongside ancient pagan customs and folk music honouring 鈥榋iemassv膿tki鈥 or Winter Solstice.
Dubra: Hodie Christus natus est
Royal Holloway Choir, directed by Rupert Gough
Vasks: Missa for Mixed Choir and String Orchestra, II. Gloria
State Choir of Latvia
Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, M膩ris Sirmais,
Trad. Bud膿l墨拧a Ziemassv膿tki / A Mummer's Christmas (excerpts)
Boston Latvian Choir, directed by Kris墨te Skare
Praulin拧: Cantate Domino
Anna-Maria Hefele, vocals
I Vocalisti, conducted by Hans-Joachim Lustig
Praulin拧: Ziemsvetki Jaunaja Pasaule / Latvian Solstice in the New World
Laila Liepi艈a, soprano
El墨na Seile, mezzo-soprano
Ints Teterovskis, baritone
New York Latvian Concert Choir
Youth Choir Balsis
New Chamber Orchestra of Riga, conducted by Andrejs Jansons
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