Garuta,Lucija / Vasilljeva,Julija / Skuja,Maris Lucija Garuta: Sacred Love CD

Garuta's songs, despite being written almost a century ago, only now see their release world premiere in a studio album - carefully selected and recorded by Garuta's former student pianist Maris Skuja and his brilliant stage partner soprano Julija Vasiljeva. "The mission of Garuta's music is a battle against shallowness. Modern music is full of various effects, but it often lacks substance. Garuta's music, in contrast, is very full of content." - Maris Skuja "Garuta's solo songs are miniatures with thematic structure, development and thought. They are as concise as a jigsaw puzzle - small, bright pieces that contribute so much to understanding an individual, an era and a composer'smusic. A three-hour opera with an expanded form does not suit today's hurried person. It is the miniature that makes this music relevant." - Julija Vasiljeva.Among music scholars, Lucija Garuta is often referred to as the Latvian Germaine Tailleferre, who was a member of the French group of composers called Les Six. This comparison is not accidental. From her early years as a student, Garuta dreamt of studying music abroad, and she was particularly interested in the new trends coming out of France. After her studies at the Latvian Conservatoire, she not only fulfilled her dream of continuing her education but also became acquainted with the concert life of Paris (1926). Garuta studied piano with the eminent French musicians Alfred Cortot and Isidor Philipp, who was, among other things, a good friend of the composer Claude Debussy. She also studied instrumentation with the composer, conductor and music critic Paul Le Flem. On her second visit to Paris (1928), Garuta continued her composition studies at the Ecole Normale de Musique with Paul Dukas, whose students included such composers as Maurice Durufl? and Olivier Messiaen.

1. Debess Un Jura / Sky and Sea 2. Kaut Spetu / If Only I Could 3. Vakara Blazma / in the Evening Glow 4. Meiten, Manu Meitenit / Oh, My Dear Girl 5. Jel Labak Neruna / Better That You Not Speak 6. Skiroties / Upon Parting 7. Ej, Saulite, Driz Pie Dieva / Go Soon to God, Dear Sun 8. Kaukaza Berna Dziesma Svesuma / Song of a Child of the Caucasus in a Foreign Land 9. Supula Dziesma Kalnu Bernam / Lullaby for a Mountain Child 10. Dzanemas Dziesma / Dzanema's Song 11. Gruta Bridi / at a Difficult Moment 12. Aija Dziesmina / Rock-A-Bye Song 13. Rudens / Autumn 14. Lietins / a Light Rain 15. Dzimtene Pavasari / My Native Land in Spring 16. Pavasars Nak / Spring Is on It's Way 17. Deveji / the Givers 18. Meness Laiva / the Moon-Boat 19. Tu Atkal Te! / You're Here Again! 20. Sveta Mila / Sacred Love