The Toronto Latvian Concert Association launched its new CD recording – “Canadian Amber / Ambre canadien” – on July 5, 2019 with a concert at Koerner Hall as part of the XV Latvian Festival of Song and Dance in Canada. This recording brings to light the recently recovered and restored Violin Concerto in F# Minor (1945) by Janis Kalnins. The CD will also includes a CBC archival recording of the world premiere of the Concerto for Piano, Percussion and Strings (1990) by Talivaldis Kenins and the Aria for Violin and Piano (1987) by Imant Raminsh. This recording is one of several projects we produced in celebration of the Latvian centenary in 2018-2019 and highlights the remarkable contribution of Latvian émigré artists to the music and culture of Canada.
Guest performers on this recording are members of the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra, renown Latvian-Canadian pianist Arthur Ozolins (who is also the soloist in the Kenins CBC archival recording), Latvian violinist Laura Zariņa and Latvian conductor Māris Sirmais. The CD was produced by David Jaeger and recorded by Dennis Patterson and is presented on the Canadian Music Centre’s Centrediscs label.
“Canadian Amber / Ambre canadien” is now available for purchase through the Canadian Music Centre, at Amazon, and through other online and retail sites.