Christmas in Latvia

Donald Macleod visits the city of Riga to experience the seasonal music and Christmas traditions of Latvia – a country overflowing with choral excellence.

Music Featured:

trad.: Kaladô (arr. J. Vaivods) Dubra: Duo Seraphim Dubra: In Nativitate Domini (excerpts) anon.: Res est admirabilis Dubra: Te Deum Pēteris Butāns: In the Beginning was the Word Praulinš: Missa Rigensis: Credo Dubra: Mystery of His Birth Vasks: The Fruits Of Silence anon.: Gaude Maria Dubra: Hail, Queen of Heaven Dubra: Hodie Christus natus est Vasks: Missa for Mixed Choir and String Orchestra, II. Gloria Trad. Budēlīša Ziemassvētki / A Mummer's Christmas (excerpts) Praulinš: Cantate Domino Praulinš: Ziemsvetki Jaunaja Pasaule / Latvian Solstice in the New World Ešenvalds: In the bleak midwinter Ešenvalds: Stars Ešenvalds: Northern Lights Ešenvalds: Rivers of Light Vitols: The Dwarves and the Old Man of the Forest Vasks: Plainscapes (extract) Vasks: Piedzimšana / Birth Trad. Pūtiet guni Praulinš: Mass and Interludes “L'homme armé”: Hosanna in excelsis Ešenvalds: O Emmanuel Vitols: Gaismas Pils / Castle of Light Praulinš: Mass and Interludes “L'homme armé”: Pater sanctificetur Vasks: String Quartet No. 3: I. Moderato Ešenvalds A Christmas Legend / Ziemassvētku leģenda

Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Chris Taylor for BBC Audio Wales & West

For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Christmas in Latvia https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002611k

And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z