# Eriks Esenvalds: St Luke Passion · A Drop in the Ocean · The First Tears · Litany of the Heavens

> Eriks Esenvalds: St Luke Passion · A Drop in the Ocean · The First Tears · Litany of the Heavens – Ieva…. Ondine ODE 1247-2, CD, released May 2016.

Source: https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1247-2

- **Composer:** Eriks Esenvalds
- **Work(s):** St Luke Passion · A Drop in the Ocean · The First Tears · Litany of the Heavens
- **Performers:** Ieva Ezeriete, soprano; Ieva Parsa, mezzo-soprano; Liga Paegle, alto; Jänis Kursevs, tenor; Daumants Kalnins, baritone; Aleksandrs Maijers, recorder & jaw harp; Sinfonietta Riga; Latvian Radio Choir; Sigvards Klava, conductor
- **Label:** Ondine
- **Catalogue no.:** ODE 1247-2
- **Format:** CD
- **Release date:** 1 May 2016
- **EAN / UPC:** 0761195124727
- **Tracks:** 11, total 67:34
- **Genres:** Instrumental, Choral
- **Awards:** Gramophone Choice

## Track listing

**Eriks Esenvalds**

- *Passion according to St Luke*
1. I Espressivo. ?Crucify him, they all cried? (3:52)
2. II Misterioso. ?Behold the timber of the cross is a carpenter?s work? (2:32)
3. III Espressivo. ?And there followed him a great company of people? (1:43)
4. IV Adagio. ?Shema Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu? (3:40)
5. V Espressivo. ?Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do? (4:58)
6. VI ♪ = 56. ?And they parted his raiment, and cast lots? (3:45)
7. VII ♪ = 69. ?And the soldiers mocked him, offering him vinegar? (5:11)
8. VIII Cantabile. ?Does that lamp still burn in my Father?s house? (4:55)
9. A Drop in the Ocean (8:22)
10. The First Tears (14:53)
11. Litany of the Heavens (13:43)

## About this recording

Ēriks Ešenvalds (b. 1977) is one the leading Latvian composers of vocal music and one of the leading Latvian composers of his generation. This recording features new works by the composer with the prestigious Latvian Radio Choir conducted by Sigvards Kļava.

The title piece of the recording is a 30-minute Passion according to St Luke, a work in eight movements completed by the composer in 2014. The work holds a special place in the composer’s repertoire as the first Passion by the celebrated composer of several choral works. The music is sumptuous, rich, and powerful, with heroic, picturesque, passionate, and ethereal elements.

A Drop in The Ocean (2006) is an impressive vocal work dedicated to Mother Teresa while The First Tears (2014) is based on an Inuit legend. Litany of the Heavens (2011) is a mysterious and magical work based on a religious poem by Fricis Bārda.

Latvian Radio Choir’s previous releases on Ondine have been highly successful. For instance, the recording of Rachmaninov’s All-Night Vigil ([ODE 1206-5](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1206-5)) was chosen as the Record of the Month, Editor’s Choice and received a nomination in the Gramophone Awards in 2013. Also their most recent release of choral works by Valentin Silvestrov ([ODE 1266-5](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1266-5)) received Gramophone Editor’s Choice.

## Features

Sleeve notes and lyrics in English

## Buy or stream

- [Buy](https://Ondine.lnk.to/ODE12472OW)

## Related pages

- [Eriks Esenvalds (1977)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/composers/esenvalds-eriks.md)
- [Ieva Ezeriete, soprano](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/ezeriete-ieva.md)
- [Ieva Parsa, mezzo-soprano](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/parsa-ieva.md)
- [Liga Paegle, alto](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/paegle-liga.md)
- [Jänis Kursevs, tenor](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/kursevs-j-nis.md)
- [Daumants Kalnins, baritone](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/kalnins-daumants.md)
- [Aleksandrs Maijers, Recorder & Jaw harp](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/maijers-aleksandrs.md)
- [Sinfonietta Riga, Ensemble](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/sinfonietta-riga.md)
- [Latvian Radio Choir, Ensemble](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/latvian-radio-choir.md)
- [Sigvards Klava, Conductor](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/klava-sigvards.md)

## Also recommended

- [Valentin Silvestrov: To Thee We Sing · Sacred Choral Works](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1266-5.md): Latvian Radio Choir · Sigvards Klava, conductor (ODE 1266-5, 2015)
- [Yuri Falik · Arturs Maskats · Georgy Sviridov: Choral Works](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1226-2.md): Aleksandrs Antonenko · Ieva Ezeriete · Latvian Radio Choir · Sigvards Klava (ODE 1226-2, 2014)
- [Sergei Rachmaninov: All-Night Vigil, Op. 37](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1206-5.md): Latvian Radio Choir · Sigvards Klava, conductor (ODE 1206-5, 2012)
- [Sergei Rachmaninov: Liturgy of St John Chrysostom](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1151-5.md): Latvian Radio Choir · Sigvards Klava (ODE 1151-5, 2010)