State Choir Latvija debuts in Helsinki festival, Finland.
During 13th International Sacred Music Festival State Choir Latvija is invited to give performance in largestarts festival in Finland - Helsinki Festival.It will take place from August 2o - September 5. State Choir Latvija will give performance on August 25 and thiswill be choir’s debut in this festival. Together withHelsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, soloists Anna Danik (soprano), Mika Nisula (tenor), Matti Turunen (bass) and Conductor John Storgårds choir will perform music pieces fromZender / Schumann Phantasie and Missa sacra.
WERGO has released CD with recording of State Choir LATVIJA
WERGO has released CD "The Sealed Angel" by Rodion Shchedrin. It is live recording of the concert on 17 July 2009 during the Rheingau Musik Festival in the great basilica of the Eberbach Monastery. Performers - State Choir Latvija, Inese Romancane: soprano, Zane Zilberte: mezzo-soprano, Jurgis Liepnieks: tenor, boys' voices: Patriks Stepe (soprano) and Matiss Circenis (alto). Dita Krenberga: flute. Conductor: Maris Sirmais
State Choir Latvija in White Light Festival, New York
Lincoln Center has announced its new festival -White Light Festival. It will take place from October 28 - November 18.
State Choir Latvija (Latvian National Choir), conducted by Tonu Kaljuste, will give two performances. November 12, in Choir's U.S. debute, choir will performn F. Martin's "Mass for double choir" and V. Tormiss "Curse upon Iron". In November 13, together with Orchestra of St.Luke one will hear Bach and Arvo Part.
Tickets for 13th International Sacred Music Festival available!
Tickets are available in all box-offices of Biļešu Paradīze or in www.bilesuparadize.lv. Honorary guest of the festival - great Georgian composer Giya Kancheli.
State Choir Latvija has received Great Music Award of Latvia
On 2nd of March in Latvian National Opera there was held a ceremony of Latvian Great Music Award. State Choir "Latvija" received the Great Music Award for the production of "Joan of Arc at Stake", staged within the 12th International Sacred Music Festival. The premiere took place on August 28, 2009 in Riga St. Peter's Church.
Director of the staging is Indra Roga, stage-designer - Mārtiņš Vilkārsis. Role of Joan of Arc was performed by Rēzija Kalniņa. Brother Dominic - Ģirts Ķesteris. Mārtiņš Egliens and Gundars Grasbergs, Fabrice Dalis and Jānis Apeinis - various roles. St. Virgin - Kristīne Gailīte (soprano), St. Margaret - Baiba Berķe (soprano), St.Cathrin - Ilona Bagele (mezzo soprano). State Choir "Latvija", Riga Dome Boys' Choir, Latvian National Symphony Orchestra. Conductor MĀRIS SIRMAIS.
State Choir Latvija debuts in Concertgebouw
On 12th of December the male group of the State Choir "Latvija" will perform "Guglielmo Tell" by Rossini at Royal Amsterdam Concertgebouw. This concert hall with its accoustic qualities is considered to be among the best halls in the world. The choir will sing together with Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, Netherlads Radio Choir, international ensemble of soloists, conductor Paolo Olmi. The event takes place in the series of "Zaterdag Matinee"
More information about the concert is available here.
Rodion Shchedrin considers the State Choir Latvija as the best in the world!
The great composer Rodion Shchedrin named the State Choir „Latvija” as the best choir in the world after the performance of the Russian liturgy „The Sealed Angel”. The choir performed „The Sealed Angel” at Rheingau Music Festival on 17.07.2009, the concert was recorded on DVD by „Schott Music Media” and will be released on DVD until the end of year 2009. The performance received many long-lasting ovations from the audience and most positive reviews in biggest German news papers.
Discounts for ISIC un ITIC owners
State Choir Latvija is now a partner of ISIC/ITIC organization. All the card owners can get 50% discount for tickets to all the concerts organized by the State Choir Latvija, if tickets are purchased at the box-offices of Biļešu Paradīze. All the trade spots you can see here.
Nearest concerts:
Apri 26, Riga Dome Cathedral, 7pm. Rodion Shchedrin The Sealed Angel - premiere in Latvia. State Choir Latvija, Dita Krenberga (flute), conductor Maris Sirmais. Mr. Rodion Shchedrin will be the honourable guest of the concert.
May 28, Riga Dome Cathedral, 7pm. John Tavener Svyati, Knut Nysted Stabat Mater, Don Jaffe Todesfuge. State Choir Latvija, Ramon Jaffe (cello), Kristīne Adamaite (organ), conductor Maris Sirmais.
On March 30, in Jesuit Church State Choir Latvija had a successful debut in world-famous Lucerne Festival. The choir Latvija performed Chapter Eight by famous Russian contemporary composer Alexander Knaifel. Condcutor was Andres Mustonen (Estonia), cello was played by Patrick Demenga (Switzerland). Together with the State Choir in the concert there also took part youth choir Kamēr... and Riga Dome Boys' Choir.
State Choir Latvija is touring in Finland
From March 16 till March 21 State Choir Latvija is invited by Kymi Sinfonietta to perform oratario Solomon by G. F. Handel in Finlad. Solomon will be performed in Kotka, Kuovola and Helsinki.
Artists: Kymi Sinfonietta, State Choir Latvija, Anu Komsi (soprano), Piia Komsi (soprano), Michael Bellini (countertenor), Nial Korell (tenor) un Lukas Jakobski (basso). Conductor Andres Mustonen (Estonia).
The Sealed Angel by Rodion Shchedrin - Latvian premiere
The State Choir Latvija will give a Latvian premiere for Rodion Shchedrin’s The Sealed Angel. The concert will take place on April 26, during Orthodox Easter, in Riga Dome Cathedral, 7pm. This Russian lithurgy will be performed by the State Choir Latvija, soloists from the choir and Riga Dome Boys’ Choir, flutist Dita Krenberga; conductor will be Māris Sirmais. The great composer, icon of Russian music and culture, Rodion Shchedrin will attend the performance as an honourable guest. The State Choir Latvija and Mr. Rodion Shchedrin met in September 2007, in Helsinki while doing a Scandinavian premiere of Shchedrin’s opera Enchanted Wanderer, produced by the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. Composer was excited by the performance, sound, artistic and professional qualities of the State Choir and proposed to perform his The Sealed Angel in Riga. The Sealed Angel is Russian lithurgy, written for mixed choir and soloists – flute, soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor and 2 boys. The world premiere of this work took place in Moscow, in 1988. This piece was inspired by the short novel of Nikolai Leskov.
CD From the Baltic Coast is nominated for the Latvian Music Recordings Award
The State Choir Latvija has recently released new album From the Baltic Coast. The album is a compilation of most important choral works a cappella, written in last years by the most talented Baltic composers. The State Choir Latvija and each of the chosen composers has previously had a successful collaboration in music. In the recording you will hear compositions by Pēteris Vasks, Arvo Part, Veljo Tormis, Rihards Dubra, Vytautas Miškinis, Georgs Pelēcis, Imants Ramiņš, Pēteris Butāns and Ēriks Ešenvaldsi. Conductor Māris Sirmais.
The CD is nominated for the Latvian Music Recordings Award as the best album of classical/academical musical. The designer of the CD, young and tallented artist Mārcis Ziemiņš has receviced an award by design magazine Dizaina Studija for the best design.
The CD is awailable on internet shop www.balticmall.com and in the music shop Upe (R.Vāgnera street 5 un Vaļņu street 26, Old Riga), also in art galleries Istaba un Tornis
State Choir Latvija is nominated in yearly Award of culture from the biggest Latvian national newspaper Diena.
Till third term of 2008 for this award already there are nominated 28 artworks and in the October there are now 11 new nominations, and one of them is State Choir Latvija Performance St. Johannes Passion by Sofia Gubaidulina was named as a surprising and qualitative fact of art. This performance was opening concert of the 11th Sacred Music Festival in August 19, 2008 and it was performed by the State Choir Latvija and Latvian National Symphony Orchestra. There was a great quartet of soloists - R. Vaicekauskaite, V. Jozapaitis, A. Janutas and A. Teliga and it was conduct by Andreas Mustonen form Estonia. The special guest was the great composer Sofia Gubaidulina.
State Choir Latvija debut in Finlandia Hall.
Already after the 11th Sacred music festival State Choir Latvija went to Finland to give a performance in Finlandia Hall on September 11. This will be the first performance for Rodion Shchedrin work The Enchanted Wanderer in Scandinavia. Along with the State Choir Latvija on the stage there will perform Symphonic orchestra of Helsinki and soloists Jevgeni Akimov (tenor), Lilli Paasikivi (mezzo-soprano), Sergei Aleksashkin (bass). This program has been made by great conductor John Storgårds and this program is his debut as an artistic director of the Symphonic orchestra of Helsinki.
R. Shchedrin will be present at the premiere himself. The opera was commissioned by New York philharmonic ensamble and the world premiere took place in December 19, 2002 in New York, Lincoln Center.
This concert will be visited by Latvian ambassador in Finland Einars Semanis.
State Choir Latvija is taking part in many music and art festivals in this summer.
Starting summer time State Choir Latvija has been invited to many music and art festivals in Latvia and Estonia. We are really enjoyed to take a part second time in "Art festival Cesis 2008" . In this Year State Choir will perform in Festival opening concert with Tolga Kashif “The Queen Symphony”and Imants Kalniņš “Symphony No. 4”
Immediately after “Art festival Cesis 2008” State Choir Latvija is visiting Estonia where they will take a part in "Glasperlenspiel music festival" and will perform Carl Orff „Carmina Burana”. There will be few more times when choir is going to visit Estonia since the choir has received invitation to sing in festival “Leigo Järvemuusika 2008 ”and "Birgitta festival 2008".
Already after return from Estonia, State Choir Latvija will start to prepare for 11th Sacred Music festival . In this year festival has special program with famous composer works and a few premieres.
State Choir Latvija are going to Saint Petersburg Choir Festival.
From 6 June till June 8 in St. Petersburg the World Economic forum is taking place and in case of that all greatest musician collectives from Baltic region are going to give a very special performances for Saint Petersburg population, guests and delegate from forum.
In June 7 State Choir Latvija will rhyme with a programme form Latvian music at Saint Petersburg Academic Philharmonic named after D.D. Shostakovich Grand hall. But in June 8 State Choir Latvija will perform in legendary Alexandrinsky theatre. The main conductor will be Maris Sirmais and choir will perform many Latvian folk songs like Saule Pina vainadziņu and Pūt vējiņi, Ik rudeni valodiņa by Valts Pūce, a piece by R. Dubra Hail Queen of Heaven, JVokalīze by J. Ivanovs, Madrigāls by M. Zariņš, Legende de la femme enmurée by Ē.Ešenvalds, and Zīles ziņa by P. Vaksts. Also musial compositions of John Tavener, VeljoTormis and Olivier Messiaen will be performed.
The Russian State Pushkin Academy Drama Theater, the legendary Alexandrinsky Theater, is the oldest Russian national theater and one of the oldest theatres in Europe. This theatre has a great historically important role in world’s culture life. The walls of the Alexandrinsky remember the greatest public figures of the Russian state, politicians, military men, and people of arts. A. Pushkin, M. Lermontov, F. Dostoevsky, L. Tolstoy, A. Chekhov, P. Tchaikovsky, A. Gorchakov, S. Vitte, V. Stolypin, K. Mannerheim and numerous members of European royal families visited it.
The Worlds Economic forum will be visited by many famous delegates and of them will be president of Russian Federation – Dmitrij Medvedjev.
State Choir Latvija – in album presentation by Rihards Zaļupe.
Rihards Zaļupe is percussionist in the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra. He is this album accompanist and performing artist and this album is devoted for marimba. Album Marimba Dance presentation will be in April 15th at 7 pm in Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, Big Hall.
Tracks which have been included in this album are from academic, movie and jazz music. Compositions by R. Zaļupe, which been recorded by author and world famous and prominent musicians – pianist Raimonds Petrauskis, State Choir Latvija, soprano Kristīne Gailīte and conductor Māris Sirmais.
Tickets (price – 3 LVL; pensioner – 1 LVL; students and pupil entrance free) for Marimba Dance presentation you can buy from April 10th at Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music (week daily 10:00-15:00) and one hour before the concert.
State Choir Latvija are going to sing best of the American choir music and spiritual.
All who are enjoying music of State Choir Latvija has a great opportunity to hear them in concert Made in USA. Choir will visit Mazsalaca on Friday 4th April where in spring like atmosphere they will give a performance in Mazsalaca's culture centre. On Saturday the same concert you are invited to listen in Big Hall of Latvian University. Best of the best compositions by greatest American composers. Performed by State Choir Latvija, Intars Busulis (voice), Harijs Bašs (piano), Maris Brižkalns (percussion instruments) and Andris Grunte (bass). Conductor: Mārtiņš Klišāns. Tickets are available at box offices of "Bilešu Paradīze" or www.bilesuparadize.lv. Organized by Latvian Concerts. More information www.latvijaskoncerti.lv
State Choir Latvija in Cuencas Sacred Music week, Spain.
One of the world’s leading and famous choirs – State Choir Latvija in Holy Week are going to Spain, where they will take a part in Cuencas Sacred Music week. State Choir Latvija will be conduct by Markus Poschner and collaboration with Estonia National Operas boy’s choir, Bremen Philharmonic orchestra and international quartet of soloists performed Lera Auerbach Rusian requiem. The reason for this invitation was unforgettable world’s premiere of this range and original work in September of 2007, when choir was visiting Bremen’s Music festival. Lera Auerbach is accompanist who’s now come to the front with her musical works
State Choir Latvija in Estonia Baroque Music Festival
State Choir Latvija will participate in annual Estonian Baroque Music Festival. Sate Choir is frequent guest in Estonia, and always sincerely welcomed by the audience and co-musicians. State Choir Latvija will perform in two concerts - January 31, in Tartu Concert Hall, and February 1, in Tallin Concert Hall. Under guidance of conductor Andres Mustonen the Choir and Estonian National Symphony Orchestra will perform works of England and France, 17th and 18th centuries. In programme - works by Campra, Lully and Rameau. Soloists of the concert Helen Lokuta (alto), Andrus Mitt (baso), Mati Turi (tenors). Baroque Festival will take place from February 1 until February 10. It is organized by Eesti Kontsert, more info on www.concert.ee!
State Choir Latvija gives world premiere to Arvo Part's Deer's Cry
World première performances will take place in St Peter’s Church of Ireland, Drogheda, on 13 February 2008 and in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dundalk, on 14 February 2008.The première performances are presented under the title Arvo Pärt’s World Premiere: Baltic Voices in Ireland. The world premiere performances will be performed by State Choir Latvija and conducted by Irish conductor Fergus Sheil.
State Choir Latvija receives culture award from the Ministry of Culture Trīs Brāļi (Three Brothers)
On December 6 State Choir Latvija was awarded with national cultural award Trīs Brāļi. The Choir was nominated for it in the category Culture for state development. The award was handed for the International Sacred Music Festival, organized by the Choir already for ten years. The Festival takes important place among Latvian cultural events and year by year it is gaining wider international resonance.
Recordings of the State Choir Latvija in www.doremi.lv
Now it is possible to download mp3 files with recordings of the State Choir Latvija on www.doremi.lv
EUROPALIA 2007 The programme for Europalia 2007, announced on November 7, will be devoted to the culture of 27 European countries, highlighting common European roots that long predate the EU project. The biennial cultural festival, which usually celebrates a single country's heritage, will coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome that laid the foundations of the EU. The centrepiece of the 21st festival will be 350 masterpieces from over 100 collections. The festival will be held from October 3, 2007, until February 3, 2008.
This is the first year when State Choir Latvia is joining this festival. On November 13, 14 and 15 you will have possibility to hear very interesting programme performed by State Choir Latvia and Chamber Orchestra of Tallinn
Choir Master: Maris Sirmais - Conductor: Andres Mustonen
Collection by Düben, Suite for orchestra Rudolf Tobias, Zwei geistliche Gesänge: Wisset ihr nicht; Gleichwie der Hirsch Pēteris Vasks, Dona nobis pacem Heino Eller, Kodumaine viis(A song of my home country) Artūrs Maskats, Lacrimosa Arvo Pärt, Für Lennart Arvo Pärt, Ein Wallfahrtslied Arvo Pärt, Da pacem Domine
15.11.2007 Rihards Dubra, Signum Magnum Olivier Messiaen, Louange à l'Eternité de Jésus Jānis Ivanovs, Vocalise Marģeris Zariņš, Madrigal Artūrs Maskats, Spring Music Ēriks Ešenvalds, Leģenda par iemūrēto sievu (Legend of the condemned woman) Pēteris Vasks, Zīles ziņa (The message of the tit) Veljo Tormis, Raua needmine (The damned iron) Arvo Pärt, Te Deum
International recognition to the State choir Latvia
Latvian artists and in Latvia maden performances have been highly regognized in a questionaire made by Opernwelt , one of the most significant magazines obout operhauses all over the world. Critic Jorn Florian Fukss have named State Choir Latvia as the best choir of the year for their performance Fuit bouth is Jozeph in Latvian National Opera.
State choir Latvia gets three nominations in Award of culture 2007 form the biggest Latvian national newspaper Diena.
State choir Latvia received three nominations for: 1) The 10th International Sacred Music Festival opening concert, Giuseppe Verdi Requiem Performed by: State Choir Latvija, Latvian National Symphony Orchestra and Soloists Ingrid Kaizerfeld (soprano, Austria), Nadia Krasteva (mezzosoprano,Bulgaria), Aleksandr Antoņenko (tenor, Latvia), Egils Siliņš (bass, Latvia). Conductor Pier Giorgio Morandi
2) Leonard Bernstain MassStarring: Douglas Webster (USA), State Choir Latvija, Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, Riga Dome Boys' choir, youth choir Kamēr.., jazz band of Kārlis Lācis, Kristīne Gailīte, Intars Busulis, Amber, Ilona Bagele, Jānis Apeinis, Andris Ērglis, Jānis Aišpurs etc. Conductor Māris Sirmais, Director Susanna Cirjuk, Choreographer Aleksandra Tihomirova.
For the best culture management we were nominated for concert In The Beginning There Was The Word - closing concert of the 10th International Sacred Music Festival and opening concert of the Poetry Days. There were performed Premieres of 12 Latvian composer works. The main idea of the concert In The Beginning There Was The Word was based on conceptual relation between creators of both Arts and their paraphrases about the motet. The textual part of the concert consists of poetry of well-known Latvian poets and their poems, written specially for this concert; music a cappella is composed by Latvian composers.
State choir Latvia gives concerts in Bremen music festival and in Estonia.
After very successfully anniversary of Sacred music festival closing concert State Choir Latvia went to Germany where they took a part in Bremen music festival. There were two concerts at September 14 and 15 where with great successes choir performed L.Ouebach Russian requiem. That was the worlds premier. Also they performed parts which are included in movie Parfum. In Bremen music festival State choir Latvia preformed together with prominent conductor Kristian Jarvi and his Absolute Ensemble form Newyork.
Soon after the return from Germany, State choir went to Estonia were choir was invited to take apart in festival "Trialogos." In 22th and 23th of September choir performed Rudolph Tobias Two sacred chants, P. Vaska Dona nobis pacem, A. Maskata Lacrimosa, A. Perta Fur Lenart in memoriam,Ein Wallfahrtlied, Da pacem Domine un Te Deum, Manuela Kordoso Mesa de Profundis, V. Martinova Stabat Mater.
State Choir Latvija participated in a recording for the movie Das Parfum. In September of 2006 the music was also issued in a CD by EMI Classics under title Perfume (Original Soundtrack).
The Choir would be sincerely glad to be on the stage together with the rest of performers of the recording - Sir Simon Rattle and Berliner Philharmonics, but, for the time being, thanks to modern technologies, there has been a chance to perform together from a distance. The voices of the choir under conductor Kristian Järvi (Estonia) were recorded in the Riga Recording company and added to sound tracks, which were prepared for the movie by artists from Berlin. Listen to the musical part of the choir here.
The number of the CD in EMI Classics catalogue is 0946-3-69535-2-6.
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