Already Bloomed: Contemporary Latvian Women Composers [CD]

The majority of the repertoire is the result of a commissioning project from 2023, through which each composer was asked to set an excerpt from the Old Testament's Song of Songs - a source noted for it's radical approach to topics like sex, love, and feminism. Throughout Latvia's rich history of choral music, female composers have stood alongside their male colleagues and made equal contributions to the repertoire. Significant national figures from the late 19th and early 20th century like Jazeps Vitols and Emils Darzins are joined by Lucija Garuta. The works of Peteris Vasks are matched in stature and intensity by the compositions of Maija Einfelde. Today the innovative works of Andris Dzenitis and Martins Vilums share their position in the repertoire with works from Gundega Smite and Ruta Paidere