Riga Project Choir - Already Bloomed: Contemporary Latvian Women Composers [CD]

Cat. no: LMIC172
Format: CD
Barcode: 4751025441458
Release Date: 22 Aug 2025
Genre: Classical

This album features new choral works written by six female Latvian composers: Smite, Paidere, Evija Skuke, Liva Bluma, Lauma Kazaka and Irina Mihailovska

The majority of the repertoire is the result of a commissioning project from 2023, through which each composer was asked to set an excerpt from the Old Testament's Song of Songs -- a source noted for its radical approach to topics like sex, love, and feminism. 

Throughout Latvia's rich history of choral music, female composers have stood alongside their male colleagues and made equal contributions to the repertoire. Signifcant national fgures from the late 19th and early 20th century like Jazeps Vitols and Emils Darzins are joined by Lucija Garuta. The works of Peteris Vasks are matched in stature and intensity by the compositions of Maija Einfelde. Today the innovative works of Andris Dzenitis and Martins Vilums share their position in the repertoire with works from Gundega Smite and Ruta Paidere.

Tracks: Jau izplaukusi / Already Bloomed / Vina kreisa roka gul zem manas galvas / His left hand is under my head / Naraudavu / I did not cry / Ka lilija starp erkskiem / As a lily among thorns / vinu / him / No saknes zieds uz augsu veras / To open, any fower needs a root / Laika dziesma / Song of Time / Augsta dziesma / Song of Solomon / Tu esi skaista / You are beautifu