Content:

Eriks Esenvalds

St Luke Passion

A Drop in the Ocean

The First Tears

Litany of the Heavens

 



Artists:
Ieva Ezeriete, soprano
Ieva Parsa, mezzo-soprano
Liga Paegle, alto
Jänis Kursevs, tenor
Daumants Kalnins, baritone
Aleksandrs Maijers, Recorder & Jaw harp
Sinfonietta Riga
Latvian Radio Choir
Sigvards Klava, conductor

Genres:
Instrumental
Choral

Features:

Sleeve notes and lyrics in English

Format:
CD

Released:
May 2016

Catalogue No.:
ODE 1247-2

EAN/UPC Code:
0761195124727

Track listing

CD 68:09
Eriks Esenvalds (1977)
Passion according to St Luke 30:36
1 I Espressivo. “Crucify him, they all cried” 3:52
2 II Misterioso. “Behold the timber of the cross is a carpenter’s work” 2:32
3 III Espressivo. “And there followed him a great company of people” 1:43
4 IV Adagio. “Shema Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu” 3:40
5 V Espressivo. “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” 4:58
6 VI ♪ = 56. “And they parted his raiment, and cast lots” 3:45
7 VII ♪ = 69. “And the soldiers mocked him, offering him vinegar” 5:11
8 VIII Cantabile. “Does that lamp still burn in my Father’s house” 4:55
9 A Drop in the Ocean 8:22
10 The First Tears 14:53
11 Litany of the Heavens 13:43



Also recommended...

Awards

Gramophone Choice

Complete description

Ēriks Ešenvalds (b. 1977) is one the leading Latvian composers of vocal music and one of the leading Latvian composers of his generation. This recording features new works by the composer with the prestigious Latvian Radio Choir conducted by Sigvards Kļava.

The title piece of the recording is a 30-minute Passion according to St Luke, a work in eight movements completed by the composer in 2014. The work holds a special place in the composer’s repertoire as the first Passion by the celebrated composer of several choral works. The music is sumptuous, rich, and powerful, with heroic, picturesque, passionate, and ethereal elements.

 

A Drop in The Ocean (2006) is an impressive vocal work dedicated to Mother Teresa while The First Tears (2014) is based on an Inuit legend. Litany of the Heavens (2011) is a mysterious and magical work based on a religious poem by Fricis Bārda.

 

Latvian Radio Choir’s previous releases on Ondine have been highly successful. For instance, the recording of Rachmaninov’s All-Night Vigil (ODE 1206-5) was chosen as the Record of the Month, Editor’s Choice and received a nomination in the Gramophone Awards in 2013. Also their most recent release of choral works by Valentin Silvestrov (ODE 1266-5) received Gramophone Editor’s Choice.