Girl trio of cellist and double bassist “Madara” releases a single dedicated to the forests of Latvia

The single “Mežos sauc” dedicated to Latvia’s vast and magnificent forests was released by the girls’ trio “Madara”, composed of cellist and singer Madara Fogelmane, cellist Erna Daugaviete and double bassist Undīne Adele Berga.

Madara Fogelmane, the founder of the “Madara” group, confidently announced herself to the wider public four years ago, winning third place in the national selection of the Eurovision Song Contest “Supernova” with the song “Essamība”. Madara created the band named after himself two years ago, joining forces with Erna Daugavieti and Undini Adeli Berg. Cooperation was also started with the leader of the group “Dagamba”, Valter Pūči, who also works as a producer and under whose leadership the colorful trio single “Es esmu viss” was created last year.

The new song “Mežos sauc” was also created in collaboration with Valter Pūči, but the author of the music and lyrics is Madara Fogelmane.

“The song was written several years ago when I lived in the Netherlands, but when I returned to Latvia, I gave it a new sound and also rewrote the lyrics in Latvian. The song tells about the roots of the ancestors and the path of the heart that leads to nature, in the very essence of man. Living away from home and longing for it, I felt the connection with Latvia right when I was in the forest. I think I am not the only one who associates Latvia with forests and natural beauty. Latvians live in a deep connection with the natural treasures given to us. That’s why I wrote the song, which is like a hymn to our forests and a tribute to Latvian nature,” said Madara.

A little about the musicians themselves. Madara Fogelman was born and raised in Jelgava. She studied cello at the Amsterdam Conservatory of Music, as well as at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, where she supplemented her knowledge with cello music professors Olsi Lek (Albania), Jeren den Herder (Netherlands) and Gavriel Lipkind (Israel) during her master’s studies. However, Madara has always called Latvia her home and even now lives and works here – Madara is a cello music teacher at the Saldus Music School. She is also a core member of the rock chamber orchestra Sonntags Legion.

Erna Daugaviete is a professional cellist and sound director who has developed her cello sound and ability to improvise, which allows her to collaborate with musicians of different styles. As a cellist, she graduated from the Emīlas Dārziņas Music High School, while she received a bachelor’s degree from the Jāzeps Vītolas Latvian Academy of Music as a sound director. Erna is a core member of the “Madara” and “Rihards Lībietis Orchestra” groups, and also actively collaborates with Reina Jauno, Anneli Arro, Anita Intaiti, Diānas Sus and other domestic and foreign artists.

On the other hand, the double bassist Undīne Adele Berg specializes in academic double bass playing, but at the same time she is also improving her skills in other musical styles. She graduated from the Jāzeps Mediņš Music School No. 1 in Riga and continues her double bass studies at the Jāzeps Vītolas Latvian Academy of Music. Undine has played in several symphony orchestras, including the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, as well as in other ensembles.

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