December 27, 2024

Christmas in Latvia

1 hour 21 minutes

Donald Macleod visits the city of Riga to experience the seasonal music and Christmas traditions of Latvia – a country overflowing with choral excellence.

Music Featured:

trad.: Kaladô (arr. J. Vaivods)

Dubra: Duo Seraphim

Dubra: In Nativitate Domini (excerpts)

anon.: Res est admirabilis

Dubra: Te Deum

Pēteris Butāns: In the Beginning was the Word

Praulinš: Missa Rigensis: Credo

Dubra: Mystery of His Birth

Vasks: The Fruits Of Silence

anon.: Gaude Maria

Dubra: Hail, Queen of Heaven

Dubra: Hodie Christus natus est

Vasks: Missa for Mixed Choir and String Orchestra, II. Gloria

Trad. Budēlīša Ziemassvētki / A Mummer's Christmas (excerpts)

Praulinš: Cantate Domino

Praulinš: Ziemsvetki Jaunaja Pasaule / Latvian Solstice in the New World

Ešenvalds: In the bleak midwinter

Ešenvalds: Stars

Ešenvalds: Northern Lights

Ešenvalds: Rivers of Light

Vitols: The Dwarves and the Old Man of the Forest

Vasks: Plainscapes (extract)

Vasks: Piedzimšana / Birth

Trad. Pūtiet guni

Praulinš: Mass and Interludes “L'homme armé”: Hosanna in excelsis

Ešenvalds: O Emmanuel

Vitols: Gaismas Pils / Castle of Light

Praulinš: Mass and Interludes “L'homme armé”: Pater sanctificetur

Vasks: String Quartet No. 3: I. Moderato

Ešenvalds A Christmas Legend / Ziemassvētku leģenda

Presented by Donald Macleod

Produced by Chris Taylor for BBC Audio Wales & West

For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Christmas in Latvia https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002611k

And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z

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By BBC Radio 3

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