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Track(s) taken from CDA68328

The button

First line:
Like a cherry tree
composer
2017; SSSA soli, SSAATTBB, SAT saxophones, organ and percussion
author of text
translator of text

Riga Cathedral Choir School Mixed Choir, Jurģis Cābulis (conductor), Anna Amanda Stolere (soprano), Silvija Emīlija Sūna (alto), Katrīna Kivleniece-Cābule (soprano saxophone), Artis Sīmanis (alto saxophone), Ainars Šablovskis (tenor saxophone), Marta Kauliņa (percussion), Ernests Mediņš (percussion), Kristīne Adamaite (organ)
Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available
CD-Quality:
Studio Master:
CD-Quality:
Studio Master:
Recording details: December 2018
Riga Recording Company A Studio, Latvia
Produced by Jurģis Cābulis & Jēkabs Jančevskis
Engineered by Normunds Slava
Release date: March 2020
Total duration: 8 minutes 47 seconds

Cover artwork: Starlit Marsh. Varpu Kronholm
Reproduced by courtesy of the artist / https://varpuk.com
 

Reviews

‘On the evidence of this recording, [Jančevskis] has found subtle and authentic ways of furthering the distinctive sound of Latvian choral music established in the last century … few more beautiful realisations of Latvia’s choral language have come my way in the past decade … one wonders where that Latvian sound can go and what events will shape it. There’s plenty of time for Jančevskis, still in his twenties, to think on that’ (Gramophone)

‘From haunting stillness to exquisite plangency, the Latvian Jančevskis's choral music captivates with its sheer intensity. It is superbly sung here by the highly polished Riga Cathedral Choir’ (BBC Music Magazine)

‘I think it's wonderful music; it's definitely in this Latvian tradition … [Jančevskis is] going absolutely the right way’ (BBC Record Review)

‘Latvian composer Jēkabs Jančevskis may well prove to be the next big thing in the fickle world of choral singing. His music has all the ingredients mixed choirs love so much; wonderfully warm and opulent choral textures, oodles of atmosphere, luminous clusters, powerful musical imagery, and a whole host of vocal and non-vocal effects to keep even the most world-weary choral singer engrossed … this is certainly a truly brilliant exhibition of outstanding choral singing, enhanced by a luscious recorded sound … by far and away the most powerful message I take away from this disc is of an imaginative composer with something worthwhile to say beyond the mere meaning of the texts he sets, and the means of saying it in a hugely arresting manner’ (MusicWeb International)» More

‘The singing of this splendid group, a new addition to Hyperion’s already enviable roster of vocal ensembles, is crystalline and heartfelt. The Riga choir can seemingly do symphonically loud and chamber intimate with their eyes shut. They have been superbly prepared by Jurģis Cābulis and Hyperion’s sound is all that could be desired. The composer’s own notes are pithy and interesting, and texts and translations are present and correct. More please!!’ (MusicWeb International)
The button is based on poetry describing the inconceivably difficult life circumstances experienced by Knuts Skujenieks, who, in my view, is one of Latvia’s most illustrious poets and thinkers. In 1962 Skujenieks was convicted of anti-Soviet agitation and propaganda, and was sentenced to seven years in a strict-regime Mordovian concentration camp. His only keepsake from the land of his birth was the shirt on his back and the button his wife had sewn onto it. When all hope seemed lost Skujenieks wrote The button.

The poet said thus: ‘This was a tribute to my wife. However, when I later read this poem in Stockholm, Paris, Kraków and elsewhere, the audience made me realize that it does not just belong to the two of us.’ Skujenieks returned to his wife after his years in prison, and they are still together.

This poem affected me so deeply that, even after composing The button, I met with him several more times. I have only the deepest regard for his strong, unbreakable spirit and courageous personality.

from notes by Jēkabs Jančevskis © 2020

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