Latvian Music at cdRoots

The music of Latvia

Valdis Muktupavels
Muktukokles / Tradicionalas Kokles
A unique 2 CD set by the acknowledged master of the Latvian kokle, and strangely, his first solo recorded work! One CD of traditional music, one CD of new, original works.

Ilgi
Speleju Dancoju / I Played and Danced
The premier modern folk group from Latvia presents music based on the poetry of the great national icon, Rainis

Biruta Ozolina
Sirdsgriezi / Heart Solstice
Songs from the Latgale district of Latvia, with a strong and beautiful vocal style and folk-contemporary arrangements, accompanied by kokle, cello, electric and acoustic bass, keyboards and percussion.

Putnu Dziesmas / Bird Songs - Young singers from latvia - 16.99
Latvian folk songs about birds, performed by young students of Ilga Reizniece, accompanied by traditional folk instruments.

Bolta Eimu (Dressed in White) - Biruta Ozolina - 16.99
Human voice and sounds of zither performed by Biruta Ozolina make a truly harmonic alliance. The beautiful voice of the zither strings and the beautiful human voice in 14 traditional folk songs from the Latgale region.

Dudas Latvia / Latvian Bagpipes - Various Artists - 16.99
If you thought the Scots were the only Northern Europeans to play bagpipes, this recording will surprise you. Some of the most brilliant examples of bagpipe music ever recorded in Latvia are included in the album. You will hear traditional numbers as well as some new compositions created especially for this collection

Agrie Gadi (2 CD set) - Ilgi - 19.99
Ilgi has been at the forefront of the new folk revival in Latvia for a generation, boldly mixing new ideas with the tradition in what was, for Latvia in the 1980s and 1990s, an unheard of audacity. This is a 2 CD set of music from Ilgi from their beginning in 1981 up to 1993.

Labritini, Ritina (Good morning in the morning) - Various (children's music) - 16.99
Folk songs for children performed in an unaffected performance by pupils of the Jurmala Alternative School, accompanied on simple folk instruments. Great for kids, Latvian or not, and also for people learning the language!

Totari - Ilgi - 15.99
traditional Latvian "first singing"

Sounds of the Nordic Islands (Pohjala saarte haaled) - Villu Veski and Tiit Kalluste - 16.99
The first recording by saxophonist Villu Veski and accordionist Tiit Kalluste (both from Estonia) explores jazz and folk music through original compositions and improvisation.

Sounds of the Nordic Islands II (Pohjala saarte haaled) - Villu Veski and Tiit Kalluste - 16.99
Saxophonist Villu Veski and accordionist Tiit Kalluste (both from Estonia) explore jazz and folk music through original compositions and improvisation. They are joined on this second expedition by Raimonds Macats (harmonica, vocals and keyboards), 'Mamba' Abdissa Assefa (percussion) and Taavo Remmel (bass)

Zerkalo - Elena Frolova - 18.99
Latvia born, Russian based songwriter and guitarist is accompanied by a small ensemble of bass guitar, flute and piano.

Kaza Kapa Debesis - Ilgi - 15.99
A goat climed to the sky' presents the most modern Ilgi recording to date. While their music is still rooted in the energy encoded in the Latvian Dainas, the modernity is prevalent, and the creative use of both old and new reaches a new milepost on their travels.

Red Hand - Ingrid Karklins - 16.99
A remarkable, highly personal recording by one of Austin Texas' premier wordsmiths. Less Latvia roots than her earlier works, but this one supasses them for raw emotion and musical muscle. Recommended!

Dzied Un Spele (Sing And Play) - Skandinieki - 16.99
Traditional vocal music from Latvia by one of the countries best known choral groups, founded in 1976 to represent the music of both of the major cultural groups of the country, Latvians and Livonians. Includes both formal songs as well as games and dance tunes.

Ligo - Various - Latvia - temp out of stock
An atypical contemporary record of Latvian folk music, based on traditional yet little known songs originally sung on Midsummer Night, the most important of Latvian festivivals. Performed by some of the best musicians in Latvia, these are modern yet deeply rooted and sometimes almost primitive performances of some of the oldest traditional songs in the region. This is a recording for anyone interested in how ancient roots can become new and unique.

Dzivotajs - Jauns Meness - 16.99
Alongside traditional features of the characteristic 'New Moon' sound (striking melodies and the strong presence of traditional folk music) this album shows also the band's penchant for Americann bluegrass and R'nB. This 1998 album crystallizes their musical style into genuine Baltic rock.

4 Veji - Raimonds Tiguls - 16.99

Kyukova Dzagyuze /The Cuckoo Called Out - Laiksne - temp out of stock-17.99
The debut CD of this influential Latvian women's folk ensemble presents simple, beautiful performances for voices, flutes, kokle, accordion, violin, etc. All songs are from the Latgale region and are performed in the local dialect. They are mostly wedding and betrothal songs, all traditional and performed in a spirited, creative, yet traditional style.

Danco Dievis (Latvian Dances Vol 2) - Various Artists - temp out of stock-16.99
...riveted my attention. The lead cut Perkonitis, by the Dancu Muzikas Grupa, sets the mood. That group—along with Dziga, Laimas muzykanti, and Dandari—showcases a youthful vitality that makes clear these folks like to dance. Suseklis and Vezu Dancis follow, each with its own degree of wild abandon. Slower, reel/waltz-like songs vary the pacing, and a variety of instrumentation is presented. A few cuts seem Germanic (e.g. Saimniekdeli), yet all are traditional, with influences that have accumulated over the centuries. - Dick Dorsett, RootsWorld

Saules Meita (Daughter of the Sun) - Ilgi - temp out of stock-16.99
In 1981 Ilga Reizniece formed Ilgi. Like other folk musiciansIlgi visited old people - bearers of this ancient knowledge, learnt songs and mastered various folk intruments, made their national costumes and musical instruments themselves. Ilgi revives the forgotten songs, dances and traditions. This is their 1998 recording.

Seju Veju (Sow The Wind) - Ilgi - temp out of stock-16.99
'Ilgi's distinct Latvian verses offer linguistic rhythms and punctuation that perfectly complement the accompanying instruments, whether the traditional bagpipe or the backbeat of bass guitar and trap drums. One could reach and compare the sound to other familiar European folk-rock bands but that would shortchange this well-executed album. So think of it as Latvian postmodern folk music and let it stand on its own. Far from a kind of dstracting world beat pop, this album satisfies the contemporary ear.' Dick Dorsett in RootsWorld

Speleju Dancoju / I Played and Danced - Ilgi / Rainis - temp out of stock-16.99
The historic material that is the basis for this theatrical work comes from a play by the great Latvian poet Rainis. Ilgi has used this play as a starting point for creating a new work, a 'musical mystery play.' The record consists of 45 musical tracks that act as the imagined scenes from the play, introducing characters and action in an unusual musical experiment. The music moves from traditional folk to sweeping Medieval rock to Gothic, dark jazzy figures. This is not a simple recording to absorb, but rather a huge sound-scuplture that moves from progressive rock to asutere a capella, often in shocking juxtapositions.

Kalado - various Latvian artists - temp out of stock
The Latvian Christmas - solstice songs from all over Latvia performed by five leading and most active folk music ensembles Auri, Grodi, Ilgi, Rasa, Skandenieki are included in the album. Christian Christmas songs that are quite and sedate contrast with Latvian winter solstice songs are lively and joyful to celebrate the winter solstice eve, when the Day always defeats the Night.

Sirdsgriezi / Heart Solstice - Biruta Ozolina - temp out of stock-16.99
This is Biruta's second album of contemporary 'world music' from Latvia. She presents music from the Latgale district of Latvia, with a strong and beautiful vocal style and folk-trad-contemporary arrangements where programming meet the ancient kokle.

Muktukokles / Tradicionalas Kokles - Valdis Muktupavels - temp out of stock
A unique 2 CD set by the acknowledged master of the Latvia zither or psaltry called kokle, and strangely, his first solo recorded work. The first CD is Muktukokles, a set of original tunes composed by Valdis that explores the possibilities of the instrument, in solo and small ensemble arrangements. The second CD is Tradicionalas Kokles and here Valdis presents the truly traditional music of latvia, the most ancient styles and songs, again in solo settings or with a small, traditional ensemble.

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