Christmas Festival. Gregorian chants

Performers: Diāna Jaunzeme-Portnaja (organ), Ancient music vocal band "Schola Cantorum Riga" (cond. Guntars Prānis)

Programme: 

Jehan ALAIN (1911-1940)
Postlude "Pour l'Office de Complies"

Processionale Rorate caeli
Hymn Veni Redemptor gentium
Antifons Puer natus est

Louis-Claude DAQUIN (1694-1772)
Noel Etranger (No. 18)

Antifona Gaudeamus omnes
Hymn Veni, veni Emmanuel
Antifona Hodie Christus natus est and Magnificat with organ

Samuel SCHEIDT (1587-1654)
Magnificat Noni Toni (SSWV 148)

Antifona Gloria, laus et honor
Medieval chant O virgo
Anthem Ave maris stella

Sergio MILITELLO (1968)
Florilegio Gregoriano on "Ave Maris Stella" (No. 9)

Medieval tropus Sanctus
Anthem A solis ortu
Medieval song Res est admirabilis

Eugène GIGOUT (1844-1925)
Rhapsody

ABOUT THE PERFORMERS:

"SCHOLA CANTORUM RIGA"

The vocal group „Schola Cantorum Riga” (founded in 1995) is a unique men vocal ensemble focused on authentic interpretation of early music, especially Gregorian, Ambrosian and medieval chant, based on deep knowledge of the director Guntars Pranis serving as assistant professor of Latvia Music Academy.

All singers are professional musicians willing to share their passion to music with the audience. The group enjoys also doing first performances of the contemporary sacral music accompanied by organ and orchestra as well as modern forms of finding ways to hearts of listeners performing together with improvising guest soloists (organ, saxophone, percussion, marimba, voice) – such dialogue creates a unique atmosphere where past meets present.

„Schola Cantorum Riga” regularly takes part in festivals and concerts of early music in Latvia and abroad, and will enjoy meeting new challenges.

GUNTARS PRĀNIS, conductor

Guntars Prānis is the rector and professor at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, a leader of many master classes in early music and a much-demanded lector in Latvia and abroad. His Doctoral Dissertation (2015) deals with the topic of Medieval music tradition of Riga. He has published research papers in many international journals.
He is is a conductor, singer, musicologist and the founder/artistic director of the Schola Cantorum Riga – internationally acknowledged professional vocal group which performs regularly in Latvia and abroad. In 2017 the group has been nominated for the Latvian Grand Prix Award in music.

Guntars Prānis has studied music in Latvia, Germany and Austria, particularly focusing on music from the Middle Ages. He studied Gregorian chant under some of the world’s leading specialists in the field – Godehard Joppich, Johannes Berchmans Göschl and Franz Karl Prassl.