Eglina Latvian National Symphony Orchestra Kuzma Poga - Symphony 1 - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Latvian composer Peteris Vasks (b. 1946) is one of the most prominent names among living composers today. This album by the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Andris Poga includes the first recording of Vasks' atmospheric and pastoral Oboe Concerto written for the centenary celebrations of Latvia's independence in 2018 and performed by one of today's leading oboists, Albrecht Mayer. The new concerto is coupled with two early orchestral works from the 1980s, Vestijums and Lauda - both musical manifestations from the final years of the Soviet Union when occupied Latvia started it's peaceful fight to regain the country's independence.

The first album of orchestral works by one of Latvia's most prominent composers, Talivaldis Keninš (1919-2008), released in October 2020 has received a warm response from music critics around the world. This second volume by the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra under conductor Guntis Kuzma includes two symphonies from the 1970s alongside another concertante gem, Canzona Sonata for viola and string orchestra. Although born in Latvia, Keninš lived most of his life as an exile. He was educated in Paris, where he studied under Tony Aubin and Olivier Messiaen, and won several awards. Keninš emigrated to Canada in 1951 and became a respected pedagogue and a very influential figure in Canada's music life. Alongside his pedagogic work he wrote a sizeable catalogue of works, including several symphonies and concertos. At first Keninš focused on writing works of chamber music and completed his first symphony relatively late, in 1959. During the 1970s and 80s, Keninš wrote several symphonies more becoming a major symphonist. The two symphonies included in this volume are compact orchestral scores from the 1970s. Symphony No. 4 is rich with it's fine French orchestral textures, while Symphony No. 6 is an impressive symphonic work based on a fugue theme. The expressive Canzona Sonata for viola and string orchestra written in 1986 is a relatively late work and a wonderful example of the composer's skills in writing concertante music.

Vitols / Yablonsky / Latvian National Orchestra - Orchestral Works [COMPACT DISCS] date 09/19/1995