Baltic Exchange: a new choral music CD released by Hyperion
With choral music at the heart of the musical life of the Baltics it is not surprising that the medium has been a central preoccupation for many composers. There is certainly no such thing as a pan-Baltic style—the new recording Baltic Exchange offers only a glimpse of the choral riches to be found in these three tiny countries—all the composers on the disc share a number of characteristics: a sure-footed handling of choral orchestration, lucidity of texture, a pragmatic use of ‘avant-garde’ effects (shorn of their ideological baggage), a fondness for cluster-chords and diatonically saturated harmony, and the frequent use of ostinatos.
The new release showcased in the music shop in Cambridge
The conductor Stephen Layton has single-handedly brought many of these composers to the attention of audiences and choirs in the West—and through his sensitive and inspirational direction, has won many fans for this repertoire. Together with his brilliant young choir – Trinity College Choir Cambridge, who sing this repertoire with ‘passion and purity’, he is the ideal guide to this beautiful and enchanting music.
Along the works by Latvians Ugis Praulinš, Maija Einfelde, Estonian Urmas Sisask, the CD also includes two pieces by the Lithuanian composer, choir conductor and teacher Vytautas Miškinis, leader of the acclaimed choir and school Ąžuoliukas. Angelis suis Deus was written as a fortieth birthday present for Stephen Layton and is an immaculately crafted miniature as is Pater noster, which closes the programme of the CD.
Read more about the new release on Hyperion website:
