The timbral toning of the Christmas Wondersongs concert programme is captivatingly enticing, and the featured tracklist is no less surprising and inviting. The vocalist Beāte Zviedre, harpist Ieva Šablovska, saxophonist Ainars Šablovskis, and percussionist Marta Kauliņa joined forces and created a harmonious ensemble exactly two years ago to build a special Christmas programme in collaboration with composers Jēkabs Jančevskis and Raimonds Tiguls. Its emotionally moving premiere took place live in the Latvian Radio Studio No. 1 and was also broadcast live in 15 other Euroradio member states! During the darkest time of the year, the tones and half-tones of beloved melodies are illuminated by soprano, alto and tenor saxophones, a duduk, and a harp; just as important here is the wide selection of percussions combined with the wonderful sound of Beāte’s voice. The carefully selected set of songs will be sung in Latin, German, French, Latgalian, English and Latvian, revealing how diverse Christmas celebrations are around the world. For this ensemble, Jančevskis has created special arrangements of traditional Christmas songs and carols, Latvian winter solstice folk songs, as well as music by the English master Benjamin Britten and by the local favorites - Jānis Lūsēns and Raimonds Tiguls.
PROGRAMME
Benjamin Britten, Jānis Lūsēns, Raimonds Tiguls, Christmas
PARTICIPANTS
Beāte Zviedre, soprano
Ieva Šablovska, harp
Ainars Šablovskis, saxophone
Marta Kauliņa, percussions
