Translations

Acclaimed Latvian composer Ēriks Ešenvalds’s choral music explores ideas of translation, legend and the divine, with the choir accompanied in one piece by shimmering handbells, and in another by viola and cello. Another composition – The Legend of the Walled-In Woman – draws on an Albanian folk song. Ethan Sperry conducts Portland State University Chamber Choir. Gramophone Editor's Choice

Featuring

Kate Ledington
Maeve Stier
Ethan Sperry
Celine Clark
Juan Castaneda
Jonathan Roberts

David Walter
Anna Krytenberg
Savannah Panah
Gina Rizk
Florian Conzetti
Joel Bluestone
Rebecca Yakos
Bryanna West
Jereme Wilkie
Ulises Zavaleta
Jorden Moss
Rex Bennett
Charles Noble
Marilyn de Oliveira
Portland State University Chamber Choir
Eriks Esenvalds

Did you know?

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Performer Biography

The Portland State Chamber Choir has won over 30 medals and awards in international choir competitions, including being the only American choir to win the 'Seghizzi' International Competition for Choral Singing in Italy.

Album & Artwork

This album is a sequel to 'The Doors of Heaven' (Naxos 8.579008, 2017), which was the first recording of Ēriks Ešenvalds' choral music by an American choir.

Composer's Artistic Vision

This album explores the idea of 'translation' or the transformations that occur within us when encountering nature, legends, or the divine.

Compositional Technique

Ēriks Ešenvalds often writes complex choral music, dividing the choir into eight or even sixteen parts, using an expanded tonality to create lush textures.

Composer Biography

Ēriks Ešenvalds has won multiple awards, including the Latvian Grand Music Award three times and the International Rostrum of Composers First Prize for his work 'Legend of the Walled-In Woman'.

Performer Biography

The Portland State Chamber Choir's previous album, 'The Doors of Heaven', featuring music by Ēriks Ešenvalds, debuted at number one on the Billboard Traditional Classical Chart.