Andris Dzenītis

Uguns vārdi (Words of Fire)

Uguns vārdi (Words of Fire) is a new work for upper voices by leading Latvian composer, Andris Dzenītis. The work is contemporary and charged with tension. The overall atmosphere of the piece evokes a dramatic scene of witches casting spells on a sabbath night, while the vocal sound occasionally takes on an instrumental quality. The composer writes:: "Fire is the beginning; fire is the end. Fire represents both fragility and destruction. Without fire, there is no movement; fire holds things in a state of rigidity. In Latvian folklore—which forms the basis of the texts chosen for this work—fire, in its mythical sense, is contemplated both directly and clearly, and in ways that are highly veiled and open to interpretation. I selected three ritual texts (two folk songs and one incantation); moving as if across fragile steps of sparks—from the careful guarding of the fire and the drawing of a mythical golden cord (or is it the sun?)—the flow of sound arrives at the blessing and calming of the fire through incantation. For Baltic peoples, the Christian and the pagan intertwine, inseparable in their sanctity; perhaps that is why it is not at all strange that this brief fire ritual concludes with the word 'Amen.' I am delighted to return to collaborating with the ensemble Anima Solla on this work." Highly recommended.