If someone tried to put together the
episodes of the history of Riga like
a glass mosaic, what would the interplay
of colours and moods be like? If someone
tried to weave a belt, how many patterns
and -symbols left by the multinational
Riga inhabitants and revealing their
identity and culture through the centuries
would be able to read? Would it be
essential for us to add more colourful
flowers to the symbolic wreath, when
looking forward to the 800th birthday
of Riga?
These questions seemed to be important
while arranging the song cycle "Riga
Crown", which is the result of
creative co-operation, The idea was
initiated by Martins Klisans, conductor
of the Riga Dom Cathedral Boys Choir
and later developed by the composer
Juris Vaivods into a cycle of original
arrangements of folk- songs. This
cycle is unique for several reasons.
"Riga Crown" contains different
traditional songs - Livonian, German,
Polish, Swedish, Russian and Latvian.
Arranged strictly chronologically,
the cycle gives a much deeper understanding
of the multinational and multicultural
history of Riga. The poetic title
- a crown made from many-coloured
flowers is a guide for listeners to
perceive the idea of the wreath. The
intertwining flowers in the crown
represent different tunes, images
and even performing styles combined
with imitated sound of the traditional
instruments. Every song is a bright
social and musical attraction for
the audience. The composer's style,
his sparkling irony and good-natured
banter bring the idea of a completed
circle of the crown. At the same time
the lyrical mood of the music reveals
love as the dominating theme, as all
the songs are wedding songs. "Riga
Crown" presents a historically
based story in sounds, a light and
playful attraction, a characteristic
feature in the cultural situation
of Riga, well-known for its diversity.
Text:
Zanda Skeltina Translated by Ieva
Erenstreite
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