Christmas Hope
Donald Macleod discovers how singing has helped sustain Latvia鈥檚 population in the face of oppression, and how Latvian composers have been inspired by messages of hope at Christmas.
Donald Macleod visits the city of Riga to experience the seasonal music and Christmas traditions of Latvia 鈥� a country overflowing with choral excellence, and where singing is part of the national identity. Today, Donald discovers how music and singing has helped sustain Latvia鈥檚 population in the face of oppression, and how Latvian composers have been inspired by hope 鈥� for the coming of Christ in the Christmas story, and for peace on earth at Christmas time.
Praulin拧: Mass and Interludes 鈥淟'homme arm茅鈥�: Hosanna in excelsis
U模is Prauli艈拧, synthesiser
J膩nis Pel拧e, organ
Kaspars Majors, sackbut
Vairis Narti拧s, sackbut
Ars Antiqua Riga ,directed by P膿teris Vaickovskis
E拧envalds: O Emmanuel
Choir of Trinity College Cambridge, directed by Stephen Layton
Vitols: Gaismas Pils / Castle of Light
Massed choirs of the Latvian Song and Dance Festival.
Praulin拧: Mass and Interludes 鈥淟'homme arm茅鈥�: Pater sanctificetur
U模is Prauli艈拧 synthesiser
J膩nis Pel拧e, organ
Kaspars Majors, sackbut
Vairis Narti拧s, sackbut
Ars Antiqua Riga, directed by P膿teris Vaickovskis,
Vasks: String Quartet No. 3: I. Moderato
Sp墨姆eru String Quartet
E拧envalds A Christmas Legend / Ziemassv膿tku le模enda
Ren膩rs Kaupers, singer
J膩nis Apeinis, singer
Valdis Muktup膩vels, singer
Rihards Za募upe, percussionist
Kam膿r Youth Choir, conducted by M膩ris Sirmais
Produced for 大象传媒 Audio, Wales by Chris Taylor
To listen on most smart speakers just say 鈥渁sk 大象传媒 Sounds to play Composer of the Week."
On radio
More episodes
Previous
Next
You are at the last episode
Broadcast
- Fri 27 Dec 2024 16:00大象传媒 Radio 3
Vaughan Williams Today
Programmes, concerts and features celebrating Vaughan Williams's 150th anniversary.
Beethoven Unleashed 鈥� the box set
The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.
What was really wrong with Beethoven?
Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems
Composers A to Z
Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.
Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week
The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod鈥檚 best stories from the last 20 years
Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem
What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?
A man out of time 鈥� why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...
The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.
Composer Help Page
Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.