Donald Macleod visits the city of Riga to experience the seasonal music and Christmas traditions of Latvia – a country overflowing with choral excellence.

Music Featured:

trad.: Kaladô (arr. J. Vaivods)
Dubra: Duo Seraphim
Dubra: In Nativitate Domini (excerpts)
anon.: Res est admirabilis
Dubra: Te Deum
Pēteris Butāns: In the Beginning was the Word
Praulinš: Missa Rigensis: Credo
Dubra: Mystery of His Birth
Vasks: The Fruits Of Silence
anon.: Gaude Maria
Dubra: Hail, Queen of Heaven
Dubra: Hodie Christus natus est
Vasks: Missa for Mixed Choir and String Orchestra, II. Gloria
Trad. Budēlīša Ziemassvētki / A Mummer's Christmas (excerpts)
Praulinš: Cantate Domino
Praulinš: Ziemsvetki Jaunaja Pasaule / Latvian Solstice in the New World
Ešenvalds: In the bleak midwinter
Ešenvalds: Stars
Ešenvalds: Northern Lights
Ešenvalds: Rivers of Light
Vitols: The Dwarves and the Old Man of the Forest
Vasks: Plainscapes (extract)
Vasks: Piedzimšana / Birth
Trad. Pūtiet guni
Praulinš: Mass and Interludes “L'homme armé”: Hosanna in excelsis
Ešenvalds: O Emmanuel
Vitols: Gaismas Pils / Castle of Light
Praulinš: Mass and Interludes “L'homme armé”: Pater sanctificetur
Vasks: String Quartet No. 3: I. Moderato
Ešenvalds A Christmas Legend / Ziemassvētku leģenda

Presented by Donald Macleod
Produced by Chris Taylor for BBC Audio Wales & West

For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Christmas in Latvia https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002611k

And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z