A Sure Instinct Music for string orchestra by Peteris Plakidis, heard by PATRIC STANDFORD Toccata Classics    TOCC 0004

Plakidis, born in 1947, is now regarded as one of the leading composers of his generation and one strongly bound to his Latvian roots from which he draws freely on the folk music and folk traditions, welding them impressively into a creative voice full of rhythmic vitality and textural sensitivity.

In this recording he is heard as pianist in his Music for Piano, Strings and Timpani, a work that dates from 1969 when it was submitted as his final diploma assignment at the end of his studies at the Latvian Conservatory. It shows a sure instinct for structure, handled as a single 21-minute movement with confidence and distinct inventiveness.

The piano writing sparkles and his dramatic sense is demonstrated by the reserve with which the first entry of the timpani, challenging at last the authority of the piano, is withheld until two-thirds of the way through.

There is a Concerto for two oboes and strings, another single movement though a much later work (1982), in which the oboes weave gracefully around each other and over sustained pedals in textures heavy with a folksy atmosphere. A Concerto-Ballad for two violins, piano and strings (1984) draws on the concerto grosso form and style for its constant argumentative interaction between the three soloists (Plakidis again the pianist), and their conflict with the orchestra.

The latest work in this recital dates from 1991 and is a set of three Songs for the Wind and Blood, settings of mystical poems by Astrida Ivanska (about whom there is no information), telling of dreams from within the dark forests, much enhanced by the imaginative string writing. They are sung by mezzo soprano Antra Bigaca.

This is a CD that provides an excellent introduction to an ingenious composer deserving of attention.

Record Box is Music & Vision's regular series of shorter CD reviews