Many of Peteris Vasks' works, including some on this album, were commissioned by world-famous musicians such as Gidon Kremer, the Hilliard Ensemble, and the Kronos Quartet.
Critical Reception
Peteris Vasks has been awarded Latvia's most prestigious music prize, the Music Grand Prix, on three occasions for his works Litene, the violin concerto Distant Light, and his Second Symphony.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Peteris Vasks sees music as a mission to calm the soul, uplift the spirit, and clarify the mind, reintroducing spirituality in a secular age.
Performer Biography
The Latvian Radio Choir, founded in 1940, has collaborated with numerous renowned orchestras and conductors, and has been awarded the Music Grand Prix, Latvia's highest honor, twice.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded in May 2000 at Riga Cathedral and the Reformation Church in Riga, Latvia, using Neumann microphones and a Studer 962 mixer.
Composer Biography
Peteris Vasks, born in Aizpute, Latvia, knew from the age of seven that music would be his life, influenced by his clergyman father.
Historical Context
In the 1970s, most choirs in the Soviet Union, with the exception of the women's choir 'Dzintars', did not dare to perform Peteris Vasks' music due to its modern idiom and his disfavored status.
