Music on Thursdays
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Programme
Jāzeps Vītols (1863-1948)
from Ten Popular Latvian Folk songs, Miniature Paraphrases for Piano Op 29 (1901)
IV Aijā, žūžu, lāča bērni
Rock-a-bye, hush-a-bye, (my) bear cubs
VII Redz' kur jāja div' bajāri
Look, there go two rich men
Eduards Grieznis (b1988)
Latvian Folk song arrangement of Tumša nakte zaļa zāle Dark night, green grass
Jānis Mediņš (1890-1966)
Dainas / Preludes Nº 5 & 6 (early 1920s)
Dainas are typical Latvian 4-line poems. There are over a million of them
Volfgangs Dārziņš (1906-1962)
Two preludes in G (1953)
Pēteris Vasks (b1946)
Baltā ainava White Scenery (1980)
Concert duration approx: 40 minutes
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Programme Notes
Eduards Grieznis brings a Latvian-only programme. He includes music by Latvian classics such as Jāzeps Vītols, Jānis Mediņš and Volfgangs Dārziņš. Eduards will also perform his own folk song arrangement. The lunchtime concert concludes with a performance of contemporary composer’s Pēteris Vasks work Baltā ainava - White Landscape (Winter).
The programme is designed to showcase Latvian music from the romantic and contemporary eras, including folk song arrangements by Vītols - ‘’a patriarch of Latvian music’’ (Torgāns, 1997) and expressively romantic Dainas by Mediņš. Toccata Classics describes Dainas as pieces that have ‘’a modal colour inherited from Latvian folk-music’’ (Toccata Classics, 2021). A more modernist approach is apparent in music by Volfgangs Dārziņš – a contrasting style of music-making to hisfather Emīls'. Lashchuk describes Volfgangs' compositions, as having ‘’strong original style, influenced to some degree by Bartok and Stravinsky’’.
The concert includes a performance of Grienzis' own Latvian piano folk song arrangement of Tumša nakte zaļa zāle (Dark night, green grass). Pēteris Vasks’s piece Baltā ainava (White Landscape) will conclude the concert as ‘’a quiet meditation, a great beginning, musically presented by two themes’’ (Schott Music, 2021), thus making a musical arch with the concert’s first tranquil piece by Vītols, the Latvian lullaby “Aijā, žūžū” that is included on a compilation disc and music book of the world’s most beautiful lullabies, called “Lullabies of the world” (BNN-News, 2013).
The programme is designed to showcase Latvian music from the romantic and contemporary eras, including folk song arrangements by Vītols - ‘’a patriarch of Latvian music’’ (Torgāns, 1997) and expressively romantic Dainas by Mediņš. Toccata Classics describes Dainas as pieces that have ‘’a modal colour inherited from Latvian folk-music’’ (Toccata Classics, 2021). A more modernist approach is apparent in music by Volfgangs Dārziņš – a contrasting style of music-making to hisfather Emīls'. Lashchuk describes Volfgangs' compositions, as having ‘’strong original style, influenced to some degree by Bartok and Stravinsky’’.
The concert includes a performance of Grienzis' own Latvian piano folk song arrangement of Tumša nakte zaļa zāle (Dark night, green grass). Pēteris Vasks’s piece Baltā ainava (White Landscape) will conclude the concert as ‘’a quiet meditation, a great beginning, musically presented by two themes’’ (Schott Music, 2021), thus making a musical arch with the concert’s first tranquil piece by Vītols, the Latvian lullaby “Aijā, žūžū” that is included on a compilation disc and music book of the world’s most beautiful lullabies, called “Lullabies of the world” (BNN-News, 2013).
Eduards Grieznis
Eduards Grieznis' career has seen him live, and play, all over Europe: leaving his native Latvia to study in the UK at the Royal Northern College of Music before a Masters at the Guildhall School in London, supported by the Guildhall Trust; two first prizes - in the Giuseppe Terraciano piano competition in Salerno, Italy and the Piano Recital Prize at the RNCM in Manchester, UK; masterclasses with Matti Raekallio, Oleg Stepanov, Oleg Mantur and James Kirby.
But through all this travelling, the unique, magical power of the piano to affect its listeners has never been lost on him. His mission is disarmingly simple - to move as many people as he can with his music, in any way he can.
His CV boasts some impressive milestones - performances and interviews on Latvia’s National Radio Classic, on National TV in the Cultural News section, on the Premier Leagues End of Season Promo - and he released his first full classical album ''Eduards Grieznis Piano Music'' in 2017.
His film soundtrack credentials were showcased when part of his 2017 album, a dedication to Latvia's 100th birthday, was used for a Latvian documentary film “Spertāla kapričo”, premiered in Riga at Cinema Splendid Palace.
And yet he has always found time to give back to his community, whether through teaching and accompanying, working as a visiting lecturer, or organizing many charitable events - the latest being his CODE project (‘Come over, Donate and Enjoy’) to raise funds with a range of events at venues that include the 1901 Arts Club and the Latvian Embassy in London. At the end of 2021, the 14th CODE event raised 2739,06 EUR for the needs of Latvian children with brain cancer at the Oncology unit in Latvia.
In May 2021 Eduards started his full-time PhD Music course at the London College of Music, supported by the Vice Chancellor's PhD scholarship award, and where he is also working as an Assistant Lecturer.
But through all this travelling, the unique, magical power of the piano to affect its listeners has never been lost on him. His mission is disarmingly simple - to move as many people as he can with his music, in any way he can.
His CV boasts some impressive milestones - performances and interviews on Latvia’s National Radio Classic, on National TV in the Cultural News section, on the Premier Leagues End of Season Promo - and he released his first full classical album ''Eduards Grieznis Piano Music'' in 2017.
His film soundtrack credentials were showcased when part of his 2017 album, a dedication to Latvia's 100th birthday, was used for a Latvian documentary film “Spertāla kapričo”, premiered in Riga at Cinema Splendid Palace.
And yet he has always found time to give back to his community, whether through teaching and accompanying, working as a visiting lecturer, or organizing many charitable events - the latest being his CODE project (‘Come over, Donate and Enjoy’) to raise funds with a range of events at venues that include the 1901 Arts Club and the Latvian Embassy in London. At the end of 2021, the 14th CODE event raised 2739,06 EUR for the needs of Latvian children with brain cancer at the Oncology unit in Latvia.
In May 2021 Eduards started his full-time PhD Music course at the London College of Music, supported by the Vice Chancellor's PhD scholarship award, and where he is also working as an Assistant Lecturer.
Recordings of the works in today's concert
Latvian folk music has a sound all of its own. Latvian classical music shows influences from the neighbouring lands, and from central Europe too. Just as in other countries, some Latvian classical music has its roots in their folk music traditions, as we will learn in today's concert.
Our first item is a scene-setter which is not part of today's programme. But it serves to move us out of our own mainline classical tradition and towards a new sound. and of the song festival at which this recording was made.
Sigsvards Klava conducts a substantial assembly of choirs in Gaismas pils - the Castle of Light - which is another name for the National Library of Latvia, recorded by LTV Latvian TV. Castle of Light is also a symbol of the dawn of Latvian classical music, of composer Jāzeps Vītols and of the song festival at which this recording was made.
Our first item is a scene-setter which is not part of today's programme. But it serves to move us out of our own mainline classical tradition and towards a new sound. and of the song festival at which this recording was made.
Sigsvards Klava conducts a substantial assembly of choirs in Gaismas pils - the Castle of Light - which is another name for the National Library of Latvia, recorded by LTV Latvian TV. Castle of Light is also a symbol of the dawn of Latvian classical music, of composer Jāzeps Vītols and of the song festival at which this recording was made.
It is not clear whose arrangement the lady is play at St Pancras Station London, but it will give you the tune of Aijā, žūžu.
You wil have to be quick if you want to hear the second of Eduards' choices as it only lasts 59 seconds. The pianist is Reinis Zariņš, playing Redz' kur jāja div' bajāri.
Jāzeps Vītols
from Ten Popular Latvian Folk songs, Miniature Paraphrases for Piano Op 29 (1901)
IV Aijā, žūžu, lāča bērni
Rock-a-bye, hush-a-bye, (my) bear cubs
VII Redz' kur jāja div' bajāri
Look, there go two rich men
You wil have to be quick if you want to hear the second of Eduards' choices as it only lasts 59 seconds. The pianist is Reinis Zariņš, playing Redz' kur jāja div' bajāri.
Jāzeps Vītols
from Ten Popular Latvian Folk songs, Miniature Paraphrases for Piano Op 29 (1901)
IV Aijā, žūžu, lāča bērni
Rock-a-bye, hush-a-bye, (my) bear cubs
VII Redz' kur jāja div' bajāri
Look, there go two rich men
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If you are keen to hear the full set of ten folk songs, here is a recording of Sven-Sander Shostakov, playing at the Jāzeps Vītols International Piano Competition in Riga, in 2017. |
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Who better than the composer/arranger himself to bring us Tumša nakte zaļa zāle, performed as part of 'Cela pie Tevis' concert series at Ādažu Kultūras Centrs, Latvia.
Eduards Grieznis (b1988)
Latvian Folk song arrangement of Tumša nakte zaļa zāle Dark night, green grass
Eduards Grieznis (b1988)
Latvian Folk song arrangement of Tumša nakte zaļa zāle Dark night, green grass
British pianist Jonathan Powell specialises in Soviet and Russian music. Here is his performance of Daina No 5.
And following that is Vestards Šimkus playing Daina No 6 for Latvia's Classical Radio 3 - who decided 3 was the right number for classical radio?
Jānis Mediņš (1890-1966)
Dainas / Preludes Nº 5 & 6 (early 1920s)
Dainas are typical Latvian 4-line poems. There are over a million of them
And following that is Vestards Šimkus playing Daina No 6 for Latvia's Classical Radio 3 - who decided 3 was the right number for classical radio?
Jānis Mediņš (1890-1966)
Dainas / Preludes Nº 5 & 6 (early 1920s)
Dainas are typical Latvian 4-line poems. There are over a million of them
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Although called "Two Preludes in G" the first does seem to be in the minor key, with virtually all B's flattened. The music for both preludes is written without opening indication of sharps and flats. These are marked against each individual note as the works proceed. Even in the second prelude there seems to be a slower middle section in G minor. So let's follow the musical score, bar by bar, page by page.
The pianist here is Viktorija Trofimova.
Volfgangs Dārziņš (1906-1962)
Two preludes in G (1953)
The pianist here is Viktorija Trofimova.
Volfgangs Dārziņš (1906-1962)
Two preludes in G (1953)
The Music Academies of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Sweden and Iceland have regular events which each hosts in turn. That perhaps gives us enough leeway to hear the final piece on a different instrument, and from outside Latvia. This recording is of Martynas Levickis playing the piano accordion, in Vilnius Congress Hall, Lithuania, in August 2018.
Pēteris Vasks (b1946)
Baltā ainava White Scenery (1980)
Pēteris Vasks (b1946)
Baltā ainava White Scenery (1980)
Previous concert
Queen's Platinum Jubilee Concert with Buck Brass Quartet - click here
Next Thursday's concert
Gus McQuade, classical guitar - click here
