Eriks Ešenvalds | Listening Session

Our first July listening session is dedicated to the works of Latvian composer Ēriks Ešenvalds, whose music has already echoed across all continents. Ešenvalds specializes in choral compositions, which are often quite complex. He frequently divides the choir into eight, or even sixteen parts, and by using extended tonality, creates rich sonic textures that overwhelm the senses — a style already referred to as “the embodiment of 21st-century choral sound.”

During the session, we will listen to two recordings by Ešenvalds: “Translations”, which reveals the inner transformations we experience when faced with the power of nature, and “Mass of Eternal Flame”, described as “a celebration of the divine essence of life and the source of creativity that resides within each person.” These two works delicately portray two closely connected realms — the outer world, which challenges us, and the inner world, from which our ability to create, feel, and endure emerges.

Listening Session Program:

Translations (2020)

• O Salutaris Hostia

• The Heavens’ Flock

• Translation

• My Thoughts

• Vineta

• The Legend of the Walled-In Woman

• In Paradisum

Mass of Eternal Flame (2024)

• Kyrie

• Gloria

• Sanctus and Benedictus

• Agnus Dei

• Lux Aeterna

• Stars

• The Heavens’ Flock

• O Salutaris Hostia

• Salutation

• Who Can Sail Without the Wind

Rachel Laurin (1961–2023)

• Dedisti Domine, Op. 85

• Diptych, Op. 107

Listening Sessions – these are guided music sessions based on a curated program. We listen to high-quality recordings, either from vinyl or high-resolution digital files, allowing us to fully experience the emotional depth of the music, appreciate subtle performance details, and immerse ourselves in the profound musical landscapes.