The Riga Sound Recording Studio, in collaboration with the Latvian State Film Photographic Document Archive and the State Cultural Capital Fund, has restored and delivers to listeners four historical and cultural recordings with compositions by Jānis Ivanovs, Ęederts Ramans, Egils Straumes, Pēters Barisons, which until now were only available on discs released at the time.
All recordings have been restored from the original magnetic tapes Martin Krastinsand are available on the music streaming platform from October 28th Spotify.
Riga Sound Recording Studio, in its current form, began operating in 1967 on the premises of the Reformed Church. The large recording room of the studio is still considered one of the best sounding acoustic halls in Latvia and is particularly suitable for choirs, chamber ensembles and orchestras. Historically important recordings of academic music, pop music, film and jazz music were made in the studio.
In a conversation with Mārtiņa Krastiņa, we learn how the restoration of the recordings is performed and how to evaluate the recordings made several decades ago with the technical skills of the time.
Martiņš Krastiņš:
“Maybe the taste of the sound directors has changed a bit, today’s recordings seem a little more timid, too controlled, they were more alive at the time. I think life is absolutely important in every recording, but nowadays often gets lost in constant editing, chasing perfection. “
Concerto for violin and chamber orchestra by Egila Straume, Concerto for violin, two orchestras and harpsichord by Antonio Vivaldi in Domažor RV 582 and Concerto for two violins, orchestra and harpsichord in B flat major RV 524
Uldis Viesturs Spružs and Latvian Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, conductor Tovijs Lifšics, 1981
Cantata by Pēter Barison “Wonderland” and Mārtiņš Braun, Emīl Dārziņš, Imanta Kalniņas, Jura Karlsons, Arturas Maskats, Pēteras Plakids, Jāzeps Vītolas in the choral selection “Confirmation”
Chorus of the Latvian Radio, conductor Edgars Račevskis. 1979 – 1986 records.
The 19th symphony of Jānis Ivanovs
Latvian National Symphony Orchestra and conductor Vasilijs Sinaiskis, 1981
Gaedert Raman Light concert for nine jazz instruments and string orchestra, Divertissements for flute, trumpet, piano, percussion and string orchestra and Concerto for saxophone and string orchestra
Ivars Birkāns, Vilnis Strautiņš, Egils Straume, Vladimir Vjardo, Vitalijs Dolgovs, Zigurds Linde, Aldis Amoliņš, Ivars Vīgners, Aivars Zītars, Zigurds Rezevskis, Vladimirs Boldirevs, Chamber Ensemble of the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra “Centis Divertriķ, conductors “Concerto for saxophone and string orchestra”) and Alnis Zaķis (Light concert), 1971
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