New Release Highlights the Symphonic Works of Latvian Composer Dzenītis
Latvian composer Andris Dzenītis has, throughout the past few decades, become one of the most respected and notable composers in Latvian academic music. His vivid and expressive works exhibit great creativity and talent, particularly his symphonic works.
To document his symphonic composing skills, the Liepāja Symphony orchestra, along with conductor and artistic director Guntis Kuzma and guest conductor Christian Lindberg recorded three of Dzenītis’ symphonic works – his Symphonies Nos. 1 & 2, as well as the symphonic fantasy “Vientuļā priede. Falsifikācija un epitāfija” (The Lonely Pine Tree. Falsification and Epitaph), which was released in 2025 by the Latvian national record label Skani.
Dzenītis describes his first symphony – titled ‘Mīlestība ir stiprāka’ (Love is Stronger) as ‘an observation of the planet we live on’ – and the work does have a kind of global scope to it. The single movement work, nearly thirty minutes in length, is crammed full of many ideas and emotions, from its quiet, trepid introduction through to its turbulent conclusion. Though the title of the work would seem to indicate a positive, hopeful message, there is little of that in the music, and the composer himself says that ‘love appears as the music fades away’ – perhaps then this music is meant to appear as a stark contrast to love. The orchestra and conductor Kuzma maintain the sense of uneasiness throughout the work, deftly handling the many tempo and mood changes.
Though Dzenītis normally eschews traditional melodies and melodic forms, ‘Vientuļā priede’ hearkens to a previous era, as Dzenītis endeavors to recreate (or perhaps reimagine) a symphonic work by beloved 20th century Latvian composer Emīls Dārziņš – a work that Dārziņš almost completely destroyed (save for a few instrumental parts) due to its supposed similarity to a work by Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. Dzenītis skillfully melds the music of two centuries together in a work that both pays homage to Dārziņš beautiful and romantic music and imagines what Darziņš music might sound like via a 21st century prism, and conductor Christian Lindberg adds a picturesque touch to the performance.
Many Latvian composers have found inspiration in Latvian nature, and Dzenītis’ Symphony No. 2 – subtitled ‘Silts vējš’ (Warm Wind) originated from walks along the Latvian coast, and experiencing brief moments of warmth in an otherwise chilly autumn. The work is dramatic and forceful, and the listener can imagine different aspects of the Latvian shoreline throughout the composition. The orchestra and Kuzma adroitly navigate the various scenes and landscapes, highlighting the many nuances and layers in Dzenītis’ symphony.
The CD booklet includes detailed notes on the compositions from both musicologist Dāvis Eņģelis and the composer himself, and the composer’s words often are just as abstract as his music, for example characterizing his music as ‘the layering of dissonant fanfares in parallel dimensions of time over blissful internal harmony’.
Complex, challenging and often highly abstract, the symphonic music of composer Andris Dzenītis can be difficult to comprehend. However, the music’s many layers and nuances are vividly revealed by the skilled and talented Liepāja Symphony Orchestra and conductors Guntis Kuzma and Christian Lindberg. With his sonic paintings and soundscapes, often acting as a kind of music laboratory, Dzenītis has established himself as one of the leading creative forces in Latvian symphonic music.
For further information, please visit the Skani website and Andris Dzenītis’ website.
Andris Dzenītis. Symphonies Nos. 1 & 2
Liepāja Symphony Orchestra
LMIC/SKANi 177, 2025
Track listing:
- Symphony No. 1 Mīlestība ir stiprāka
- Vientuļā priede. Falsifikācija un epitāfija
- Symphony No. 3 Silts vējš
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