Songs of Fate

Description

« Gidon Kremer may have never revealed himself as intimately and existentially as on this recording, » notes Wolfgang Sander in his commentary accompanying the Latvian violinist's new album, 'Songs of Fate'. With his chamber ensemble Kremerata Baltica and soprano Vida Mikneviciote, Kremer tackles scores by Baltic composers Raminta Serkinyte, Giedrius Kuprevicius, Jekabs Jancevskis, and Polish Jewish composer Mieczyslaw Weinberg.
In a performance note, Kremer explains how, while reflecting on the different motifs that form the fabric of this program, '' I realized, to my own surprise, that in many ways, this project revolves around the notion of "Jewishness''. The poignant interpretations of excerpts from the chamber symphony 'The Star of David' and 'Kaddish' by Giedrius Kuprevidius, as well as 'Jewish Songs' by Mieczyslaw Weinberg, highlight this connotation. The world premiere recordings of 'This too shall pass' by Raminta Serkinyte and 'Lignum' by Jekabs Jancevskis complete the album, showcasing a young generation of composers.