Liepaja Symphony Orchestra, Guntis Kuzma - Juris Karlsons: Dances of Life and Death (2023)

This album features world premiere studio recordings of symphonic works by a prominent Latvian composer Juris Karlsons (1948).The varied pieces on this album share a common characteristic: they are linked with the stage, with theatre, and therefore with another kind of art, namely, narrative art. Yes, in different forms and degrees of directness or indirectness, but the spotlights are there, not to mention the fact that all of the works are rooted in literary compositions as their original message, as their impulse. And one can certainly feel that Karlsons' own contribution also includes a slice of theatre and theatricality. As it does in each one of us. With all the monologues and dialogues, the expositions and the silent final scenes… But, if it is a composer offering us such a view, such a vision, it must also contain a trick of sorts, a catch, a special angle, a lock and key.

Track List:
01. El Cid. Dzīves Un Nāves Dejas / El Cid: Dances of Life and Death
02. Suite from the Ballet Antonija #Silmači: I. Antonija
03. Suite from the Ballet Antonija #Silmači: II. Skroderi Nāk / The Tailors Arrive
04. Suite from the Ballet Antonija #Silmači: III. Zāra
05. Suite from the Ballet Antonija #Silmači: IV. Pindacīša Un Ābrams / Pindacīša and Ābrams
06. Suite from the Ballet Antonija #Silmači: V. Aleksis Un Elīna / Aleksis and Elīna
07. Suite from the Ballet Antonija #Silmači: VI. Bites / Bees
08. Suite from the Ballet Antonija #Silmači: VII. Rūda Un Kārlēna Duets / The Duet of Rūdis and Kārlēns
09. Suite from the Ballet Antonija #Silmači: VIII Antonija Un Aleksis / Antonija and Aleksis
10. Suite from the Ballet Antonija #Silmači: IX. Fināls / Finale
11. Jāzepa Vīzijas / Joseph’s Visions