Variācijas

At the core of the Latvian group Lata Donga are four singers from a single family who can be heard at their most traditional in the rich harmonies of the hypnotic ‘Es Leiguti’, or the chant of the ritual midsummer song ‘Jānīt's Sēde’, both performed a capella. Such tracks are, however, a minority, because among the variants and variations of style and origin the CD title alludes to are the sensitive contributions of the four instrumentalists who join the singers. These musicians weave a sparse, sometimes extremely sparse, set of textures around the singers, using synthesizer washes, the gentle plucked sound of the kokle (Latvian zither), restrained percussion and delicate piano traceries.

The restricted palette throws the spotlight on the voices, providing an understated, atmospheric backdrop rather than stating or restating thematic material, like a distant countryside incarnated in sound, as in the minimalist spectralism of the shepherd's song ‘Ganu Dziesma’. Dance rhythms are generally avoided in favour of free or ambiguous tempi, although the wedding song ‘Sastdiņ Guoju’ clings to a hypnotic beat under eerie vocals haloed with falsetto and cloudy synth pads. The sense of mystic ritual that pervades the performances beautifully integrates the ancient and the modern throughout.