SWR Vokalensemble & Marcus Creed – Baltikum (2020) [FLAC 24bit/48kHz]

The folk music of the Baltic peoples can be traced back to pagan times whereas the development of their art music did not start until around 100 years ago. Every country has its own founding fathers where music is concerned: the Estonians admire Heino Eller and the Latvians Jazeps Vitols as the founder of their respective national music culture. Arvo Part was one of Eller’s students. The founding figure of Lithuanian art music and art is Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis, who created fugues and sonatas as well as symphonic poems, music for piano, and choral works. This is the ninth and last installment of the SWR Vokalensemble series dedicated to musical portraits of different countries and the last release with its chief conductor Marcus Creed. The SWR Vokalensemble is internationally renowned as one of the best choirs for modern a cappella repertoire, its performances are characterized by exquisite mastership.

With its cover art showing the flags of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia and its sombre title, “Baltikum”, this final record from the prodigious SWR Vokalensemble shows clearly its intentions: a commitment to contemporary baltic choral music. The ninth and final episode of a series that Marcus Creed and his vocal ensemble have dedicated to musical portraits of various countries.

Of the seven composers presented here, only Arvo Pärt has broken out onto the international stage. This rich compilation allows one to discover music that is generally rather austere, of great beauty and with a meditative strength and sense of calm that characterises the music of baltic composers. A music which owes a lot to the tenacity of leader and violist Gidon Kremer who has dedicated himself for a long time to the discovery of baltic composers. Audiences from around the world can taste this impressive mix of the old and new, attracting listeners who would never go to concerts.

This new album presents original, rather intense arrangements of folkloric songs by Estonian Veljo Tormis alongside the orchestral and atmospheric work of Latvia’s leading female musician, Maija Einfelde. Arvo Pärt’s exhilarating cantata Dopo la vittoria forms an arc until it reaches total silence in his final choral work And I heard a Voice. Pēteris Vasks is represented with his moving ballad Litene, which commemorates victims of the fight for the liberation of Lithuania. Emerging from a particularly active musical breeding ground, are three young composers that complete this fascinating offering. – François Hudry

Tracklist

1. SWR Vokalensemble & Marcus Creed – 3 Poems by Fricis Bārda: No. 1, Vakars
2. SWR Vokalensemble & Marcus Creed – 3 Poems by Fricis Bārda: No. 2, Lūgšana
3. SWR Vokalensemble & Marcus Creed – 3 Poems by Fricis Bārda: No. 3, Debess
4. SWR Vokalensemble & Marcus Creed – Canon solus
5. SWR Vokalensemble & Marcus Creed – Litene: I. —
6. SWR Vokalensemble & Marcus Creed – Litene: II. —
7. SWR Vokalensemble & Marcus Creed – 2 Songs After Ernst Enno: No. 1, The Fairy Tale of the Young Summer)
8. SWR Vokalensemble & Marcus Creed – 2 Songs After Ernst Enno: No. 2, Barely Audible Somewhere the Home Country Is Calling
9. SWR Vokalensemble & Marcus Creed – 4 Madrigals by e.e. cummings: No. 1, unmeaning
10. SWR Vokalensemble & Marcus Creed – 4 Madrigals by e.e. cummings: No. 2, i carry your heart
11. SWR Vokalensemble & Marcus Creed – 4 Madrigals by e.e. cummings: No. 3, may i…
12. SWR Vokalensemble & Marcus Creed – 4 Madrigals by e.e. cummings: No. 4, who are you?
13. SWR Vokalensemble & Marcus Creed – Plonge
14. SWR Vokalensemble & Marcus Creed – And I Heard a Voice

Download:

mqs.link_SWRV0kalensembleMarcusCreedBaltikum20202448.rar

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