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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