Pēteris Plakidis: Music for String Orchestra
The music of Pēteris Plakidis (1947-2017) is rooted in the melodic character of Latvian folk-music, which imbues all his works with a remarkable strength and beauty. Renaissance and Baroque polyphony and forms, such as fugue, chaconne, canon and variation, provide the strong internal organisation that binds together a remarkable and moving synthesis of disparate elements. Although Plakidis shares some points of contact with the 'Holy Mystics’ among other Baltic composers, such as Arvo Pärt and Pēteris Vasks, his own music evokes the meditative power of nature and the distinct character of his Latvian roots. From these four works a unique voice emerges, a musical personality full of harmonic warmth, rhythmic excitement and dramatic lyricism.
Pēteris Plakidis, piano
Antra Bigača, mezzo soprano
Uldis Urbāns, oboe
Vilnis Pelnēns, oboe
Andris Pauls, violin
Dzintars Beitāns, violin
Riga Chamber Players, chamber orchestra
Normunds Šnē, conductor
Listen To This Recording:
- Music for Piano, Strings and Timpani
- ‘No one enters this forest’
- ‘The dark waters of blood are flowing’
- ‘Take me, o wind’
- Concerto for Two Oboes and Strings
- Concerto-Ballad for Two Violins, Piano and Strings
Songs for the Wind and Blood
Fanfare Magazine :
‘All the performances here are committed and gutsy, aided by close, analytical sound. In addition, Plakidis himself is the pianist in the Music for Piano, Strings, and Timpani, giving the recording an added authority. Essential listening for anyone with a penchant for Bartók, this disc proves an exciting discovery.’
—Phillip Scott, Fanfare Magazine
MusicWeb International :
Gratifyingly assertive and gritty recording. […]
Toccata are to be applauded for this refreshing and challenging collection.’
—Rob Barnett, MusicWeb International
Arts & Culture :
‘We were struck by the depth of passionate feeling running though both the music and the performances…’
— Arts & Culture, 9 July 2007
Gramophone :
‘Peteris Plakidis (b1947) was barely even a name to me before I encountered this beautifully recorded programme […]. With excellent performances throughout, this is a real discovery.’
—Guy Rickards, Gramophone
Music & Vision :
‘[Music for Piano, Strings and Timpani] shows a sure instinct for structure, handled as a single 21-minute movement with confidence and distinct inventiveness. The piano writing sparkles and his dramatic sense is demonstrated by the reserve with which the first entry of the timpani, challenging at last the authority of the piano, is withheld until two-thirds of the way through. […]
This is a CD that provides an excellent introduction to an ingenious composer deserving of attention.’
—Patric Standford, Music & Vision