Kaspars Putniņš Conductor Various countries

Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Swedish Radio Choir

Kaspars Putniņš is Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of Swedish Radio Choir since 2020/21. He held this position with the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir (EPCC) from 2014-2021 and is permanent conductor of the Latvian Radio Choir since 1994.

The Latvian conductor regularly appears with the RIAS Kammerchor, SWR Vokalensemble Stuttgart, Collegium Vocale Gent, Danish National Vocal Ensemble & Choir, Netherlands Radio Choir, NDR Vokalensemble among others.

With the Swedish Radio Choir Kaspars Putniņš plans in this season projects with music by Einojuhani Rautavaara, Kaija Saariaho, Peteris Vasks, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Robert Schumann and Toshio Hosokawa. This season he returns to the NDR Vokalensemble, Collegium Vocale Gent and conducts projects with Latvian Radio Choir & Riga Sinfonietta.

Whilst Kaspars Putniņš’ work encompasses a wide range of choral repertoire from the polyphony of the Renaissance period through to romantic music, his foremost goal has always been to promote new outstanding choral music. He has forged close relationships with many Baltic and Nordic composers including Maija Einfelde, Mārtiņš Viļums, Gundega Šmite, Toivo Tulev, Lasse Thoresen, Gavin Bryars and Andris Dzenitis and has set standards with his interpretations. Putniņš has initiated several drama projects in collaboration with visual and theatre artists.

His discography includes recordings of Peteris Vasks’ Mate Saule for BIS Records, Jonathan Harvey’s The Angels for Hyperion, works by Bryars, Vasks, Esenvalds, Maskats and Silvestrov, all with the Latvian Radio Choir as well as the CD New Latvian Harvest with contemporary Latvian music with the Latvian Radio Chamber Singers. He has also recorded Rachmaninov’s The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom with the Flemish Radio Choir for Glossa. BIS Records released Rachmaninov Vespers with the Netherlands Chamber Choir.

BIS Records has released five albums with the EPCC: Rachmaninov Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, Ülo Krigul Liquid Turns, Alfred Schnittke Concerto for choir, Arvo Pärt Seven Magnificat Antiphons, Franz Liszt’s Via Crucis and Arvo Pärt: Sacred choral works as well as an album with Schnittke Psalms of Repentance and Pärt Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis, which was awarded the Gramophone Award and Diapason d’Or in 2018.

In recent years, Putniņš has worked extensively with young singers and conductors in various projects and masterclasses, such as Bachakademie Stuttgart, Vocaal Talent and Meesters & Gezellen.

From 2013 to 2017 Kaspars Putniņš has been Artistic Director of the Tenso Europe Chamber Choir.

Kaspars Putniņš is recipient of the Latvian Grand Prix of Music and the Latvian Council of Ministers Award for Achievements in Culture and Science. For his devoted activity in the music life of Estonia as chief conductor of the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir Kaspars Putniņš was given the Annual Award of the Cultural Endowment of Estonia in 2019.

 

Season 2022/23

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News

Kaspars Putnins dirigiert Ligeti Hommage in Stockholm

Kaspars Putnins dirigiert mit dem Schwedischen Rundfunkchor am 23. März 2023 in Stockholm eine Hommage an Györgyi Ligeti. Zu hören sind Lux Aeterna, Drei Hölderlin Phantasien

sowie Werke von Lars Johan Werle, Lars Edlund und Esa-Pekka Salonen. SR2 sendet den Mitschnitt am 14.04. 19:00 (bis 13.05. abrufbar): sverigesradio.se/avsnitt/2139496

Kaspars Putnins conducts Ligeti hommage in Stockholm

Kaspars Putnins conducts the Swedish Radio Choir in Stockholm on 23 March 2023 in an hommage to Györgyi Ligeti. The programme features Lux Aeterna, Drei Hölderlin Phantasien

and A cappella music by Lars Johan Werle, Lars Edlund and Esa-Pekka Salonen. SR2 radio broadcasts the concert on 14 April, 19:00 (available until 13 May): sverigesradio.se/avsnitt/2139496

Kaspars Putnins leitet RIAS Kammerchor in Berlin

Kaspars Putnins dirigiert den RIAS Kammerchor am 26. Februar 2023 im Rahmen des Festival Alte Musik Spandau mit einem Gabrieli-di Lasso-Programm.

 

Kaspars Putnins conducts RIAS Kammerchor in Berlin

Kaspars Putnins conducts the RIAS Kammerchor in Berlin on 26 February 2023 within the festival Alte Musik Spandau featuring a programme of Andrea and Giovanni Gabrieli as well as Orlando di Lasso.

 

Kaspars Putniņš dirigiert NDR Vokalensemble

Kaspars Putniņš dirigiert das NDR Vokalensemble am 21. Januar 2023 in Hamburg. Auf dem Programm Light seeking light stehen Werke von Felix Mendelssohn,

Jonathan Harvey, Peteris Vasks, James MacMillan und Gundega Smite.

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Kaspars Putniņš conducts NDR Vokalensemble

Kaspars Putniņš conducts the NDR Vokalensemble in Hamburg on 21 January 2023. The programme Light seeking light features music by Felix Mendelssohn,

Jonathan Harvey, Peteris Vasks, James MacMillan and Gundega Smite.

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Kaspars Putnins dirigiert Bach in Riga

Kaspars Putnins dirigiert J.S. Bach: Weihnachtsoratorium, Kantaten 1-3 mit dem Latvian Radio Choir, Riga Sinfonietta und Solisten am 29. Dezember 2022 in Riga.

Kaspars Putnins conducts Bach in Riga

Kaspars Putnins conducts J.S. Bach: Christmas Oratorio, cantatas 1-3 with Latvian Radio Choir, Riga Sinfonietta and soloists in Riga on 29 December 2022.

Kaspars Putnins dirigiert zwei Uraufführungen mit Swedish Radio Choir

Kaspars Putnins dirigiert den Swedish Radio Choir am 3. Dezember 2022 in Stockholm, Sankt Matteus Kyrka, mit den Uraufführungen von Orjan Matre: 2 Christmas Songs und Albert Schnelzer: Sparkling cold sowie Werken von Schumann, Jonathan Harvey, Karlheinz Stockhausen und Jan Sandström. SR2 sendet den Mitschnitt am 30.12.2022, 19:03-20:30 (verfügbar bis 29.01.2023).

Kaspars Putnins conducts two first performances with Swedish Radio Choir

Kaspars Putnins conducts the Swedish Radio Choir in Stockholm, Sankt Matteus Kyrka on 3 December with the world premieres of Orjan Matre: 2 Christmas Songs and Albert Schnelzer: Sparkling cold as well as music by Schumann, Jonathan Harvey, Karlheinz Stockhausen and Jan Sandström. S2 broadcasts the concert on 30 December, 19:03-20:30 (available until 29 January 2023).

Kaspars Putnins dirigiert Premiere von Matthew Peterson in Stockholm

Kaspars Putnins dirigierte den Swedish Radio Choir mit Sven-David Sandström: Sonnets of Darkness and Love mit Posaunist und Sänger Nils Landgren sowie die Uraufführung von Matthew Peterson: An Inner Sky am 29.10.2022 in Stockholm.

Videoaufzeichnung am 11.11. 19:00: https://www.radiokoren.se/en/concert/swedish-radio-choir-sandstrom-in-memoriam/

Kaspars Putnins conducts premiere of Matthew Peterson in Stockholm

Kaspars Putnins conducted the Swedish Radio Choir in Stockholm on 29 October 2022 performing Sven-David Sandström: Sonnets of Darkness and Love with trombonist and vocalist  Nils Landgren plus the world premiere of Matthew Peterson: An Inner Sky.

Video broadcast on 11 November, 19:00 (CET): https://www.radiokoren.se/en/concert/swedish-radio-choir-sandstrom-in-memoriam/

Kaspars Putnins conducts French A cappella programme in Stockholm

Kaspars Putnins conducts the Swedish Radio Choir in a French A cappella programme in Stockholm

on 2 September within the Baltic Sea Festival. The repertoire includes music by Ton de Leeuw, Olivier Messiaen and Jean-Yves David-Lesur together with video artist Roberts Rubīn, painter Kristīna Rubīne and narrator Etienne Glaser. Swedish Radio2 broadcasts the concert live with an interview of Kaspars Putnins: https://sverigesradio.se/avsnitt/lovsang-till-karleken-med-radiokoren-och-putnins (available until 1 Oct)

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Kaspars Putnins dirigiert Schwedischen Rundfunkchor

Kaspars Putnins leitet den Schwedischen Rundfunkchor am 4. Dezember in Stockholm mit Werken von Robert Schumann und Toshio Hosawa. Swedish Radio 2 strahlt die Aufzeichnung am 10.12. um 19:00 Uhr aus.

Kaspars Putnins conducts Swedish Radio Choir

Kaspars Putnins conducts the Swedish Radio Choir in Stockholm on 4 December. The programme features music by Robert Schumann and Toshio Hosokawa. Swedish Radio 2 broadcasts the concert on 10 December.

Kaspars Putnins with NDR Vokalensemble Hamburg

Kaspars Putnins conducts the NDR Vokalensemble in two concerts in Hannover on 13 November and Hamburg on 14 November. The programme features music by Brahms, Schumann, Toshio Hosokawa and Jonathan Harvey.

Kaspars Putnins beim NDR Vokalensemble

Kaspars Putnins dirigiert das NDR Vokalensemble in zwei Konzerten am 13.11. in Hannover und 14.11. in Hamburg. Zu hören sind Werke von Brahms, Schumann, Toshio Hosokawa und Jonathan Harvey.

Kaspars Putnins & Schwedischer Rundfunkchor beim Baltic Sea Festival

Kaspars Putnins und der Schwedische Rundfunkchor führen am 16. September, 19:00 Uhr beim Baltic Sea Festival in Stockholm das Programm Baltic Seasons auf. Zu hören sind Werke von Kaija Saariaho, Britta Byström, Jan Sandström (The Great Enigma Uraufführung), Peteris Vasks und Ralph Vaughan Williams.

Kaspars Putnins & Schwedischer Rundfunkchor in Stockholm

Am 7. Mai dirigierte Kaspars Putnins den Schwedischen Rundfunkchor in Stockholm, Engelbrektskyrkan in einem A cappella Konzert mit Werken von Arvo Pärt, Brahms,

J.S. Bach, Gavin Bryars and Tõnu Korvits. Hier das Video: <link https: www.berwaldhallen.se play radiokoren-putnins-bach>

www.berwaldhallen.se/play/radiokoren-putnins-bach/

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Kaspars Putnins & Swedish Radio Choir in Stockholm

On 7 May Kaspars Putnins conducted the Swedish Radio Choir in Stockholm, Engelbrektskyrkan in an A cappella concert with music by Arvo Pärt, Brahms, J.S. Bach,

Gavin Bryars and Tõnu Korvits. Here the video: <link https: www.berwaldhallen.se play radiokoren-putnins-bach>

www.berwaldhallen.se/play/radiokoren-putnins-bach/

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Kaspars Putnins & Swedish Radio Choir: interview & broadcast

Here the video of the inaugural concert of Kaspars Putnins with Swedish Radio Choir as Artistic Director to be broadcasted on 22 January featuring music by György

Ligeti, Sofia Gubaidulina, Gundiga Smite and Arvo Pärt and an interview with Kaspars Putnins (available until 22 February):<link www.berwaldhallen.se/en/play/interview-with-kaspars-putnins/ _blank>


</link><link www.berwaldhallen.se/en/play/interview-with-kaspars-putnins/ _blank>https://www.berwaldhallen.se/en/play/interview-with-kaspars-putnins/</link>

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Kaspars Putnins & Swedish Radio Choir: Interview & Mitschnitt

Hier das Video des ersten Konzerts von Kaspars Putnins als Künstlerischer Leiter des Swedish Radio Choir erneut ausgestrahlt am 22. Januar mit Werken von György Ligeti

, Sofia Gubaidulina, Gundiga Smite und Arvo Pärt sowie ein Interview mit Kaspars Putnins (bis 22.02. verfügbar):<link www.berwaldhallen.se/en/play/interview-with-kaspars-putnins/&gt;


www.berwaldhallen.se/en/play/interview-with-kaspars-putnins/</link&gt;

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Kaspars Putnins & Swedish Radio Choir

Kaspars Putnins directs the Swedish Radio Choir in Stockholm Berwaldhallen on 5 December.
The programme features Messiaen: Cinq rechants, Giacinto Scelsi: Tre canti sacri and Jean Yves Daniel-Lesur: Cantique des Cantiques.

Kaspars Putnins & Swedish Radio Choir

Kaspars Putnins leitet den Swedish Radio Choir in Stockholm Berwaldhallen am 5. Dezember. Diesmal zu hören sind Messiaen: Cinq rechants, Giacinto Scelsi: Tre canti sacri und Jean Yves Daniel-Lesur: Cantique des Cantiques.

Kaspars Putnins conducted Swedish Radio Choir

Kaspars Putnins conducted the Swedish Radio Choir in Stockholm on 10 October featuring music by Jonathan Harvey, J.S. Bach, Händel and Thomas Adès. Here the video: <link www.berwaldhallen.se/play/bachs-magnificat/&gt;https://www.berwaldhallen.se/play/bachs-magnificat/</link>

 

 

Kaspars Putnins dirigierte Swedish Radio Choir

Kaspars Putnins dirigierte den Swedish Radio Choir am 10. Oktober in Stockholm mit Werken von Jonathan Harvey, J.S. Bach, Händel und Thomas Adès. Sehen Sie das Video hier:<link www.berwaldhallen.se/play/bachs-magnificat/&gt; www.berwaldhallen.se/play/bachs-magnificat/</link&gt;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kaspars Putnins: Inaugural concert with Swedish Radio Choir

Kaspars Putnins conducts his first concert as Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the Swedish Radio Choir in Stockholm on 12 September. The programme features

music by Ligeti, Pärt, Gubaidulina and Gundega Smite.  <link www.radiokoren.se/en/concert/the-swedish-radio-choir-meets-kaspars/></link&gt;

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Kaspars Putnins: Antrittskonzert beim Swedish Radio Choir

Kaspars Putnins leitet am 12. September sein erstes Konzert als Chefdirigent des Swedish Radio Choir in

Stockholm. Zu hören sind Werke von Ligeti, Pärt, Gubaidulina und Gundega Smite. <link www.berwaldhallen.se/play/radiokoren-moter-kaspars-putnins/&gt;https://www.berwaldhallen.se/play/radiokoren-moter-kaspars-putnins/</link> (bis 22.04.2021 abrufbar)

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Kaspars Putnins conducts Swedish Radio Choir

On 11 June, 19:00 (CET) Kaspars Putnins conducts the Swedish Radio Choir in Stockholm with music by Mahler/Gottwald, Gundega Smite, Arvo Pärt and Brahms in livestream: <link http: www.berwaldhallen.se play>www.berwaldhallen.se/play

Kaspars Putnins dirigiert Swedish Radio Choir

Am 11. Juni, 19:00 Uhr dirigiert Kaspars Putnins den Swedish Radio Choir in Stockholm mit Werken von Mahler/Gottwald, Gundega Smite, Arvo Pärt und Brahms im livestream: www.berwaldhallen.se/play/

Kaspars Putnins: Appointment as Chief Conductor of Swedish Radio Choir

Kaspars Putnins is appointed Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Swedish Radio Choir from the season 2020/21. The multiple award-winning Latvian conductor has already

worked with the long-standing, treasured choir. His first concert as Chief Conductor takes place in Stockholm in October 2020. Here a video interview of 2018 (11 min): <link https: www.youtube.com _blank>

www.youtube.com/watch

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Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir & Kaspars Putnins in Amsterdam

The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and Kaspars Putnins are performing at Muziekgebouw Amsterdam on 20 February Arvo Pärt's Summa and Nunc Dimittis as well as Rachmaninov's Liturgy of St. John Chrysostomus op. 31.

Estnischer Philharmonischer Kammerchor & Kaspars Putnins in Amsterdam

Am 20. Februar ist der Estnische Philharmonische Kammerchor unter Kaspars Putnins im Muziekgebouw Amsterdam zu erleben. Auf dem Programm stehen Pärt:

Summa sowie Nunc Dimittis und Rachmaninow: Liturgie des Johann Chrysostomus op. 31.

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Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and Kaspars Putninš

Press

  • Album: Rachmaninov Liturgy of St. Chrysostom

    The Estonians are absolutely at home with this repertoire, and Kaspars Putninš knows, as always, exactly how to shape the music so that one section relates to another and there is always a sense of a dramatic curve.[…] This is a magnificent recording, and the Lord’s Prayer mentioned earlier, sung here of course in the original Slavonic, is one of the highlights, superbly controlled and shaped.

    Gramophone, Ivan Moody, 5/2022

  • Kaspars Putnins’ and EPCC’s superb concert at Lux Musicae Festival Finland

    Schnittke’s Choir Concerto and Pärt’s Sieben Magnificat Antiphonen (1988) were achieved seemingly with playful ease under conductor Kaspars Putnins’ meticulously exact and clear leadership. All his movements were to the point and meaningful. Communication between choir and conductor at times seemed almost telepathic.[…]. A generous choral light in November gloom.

    Hufvudstadsbladet, Mats Liljeroos, 18.11.2019

  • CD review: Schnittke & Pärt with EPCC

    The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir is a lyrical giant, with a dark basic sound, which very much appeals to the ensemble at Schnittke and also at Pärt. (...) Dynamically a huge palette is to be experienced, from the most delicate, extremely fine sounds to the eruptive break-out. As a collective the formation makes an impression in a wonderfully soft forte at the peak of Pärt's Magnificat or in some perfectly pointed Decrescendo. The voicing is fabulous. Not so many ensembles are as relaxed and controlled as the Estonians.

    <link http: www.klassik.com.de _blank>www.klassik.com.de, Dr. Matthias Lange, 03.02.2018

    The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir under Kaspars Putnins creates Alfred Schnittke's 12 Penitential Psalms compelling and spellbinding. The choral sound is completely pure, effortlessly easy even in the heights. (...) The numerous solo parts let you hear what excellent voices are added to this overall sound. (...) Nunc Dimittis by Arvo Pärt flows quietly dark and mysterious, until "Lumen ad relevationem gentium",when it turns into the most radiant C sharp major. The choir remains soundable and not overdriven in the powerful fortissimo: top class of choir culture. This choir belongs in this formation to the best in the world.

    <link http: www.klassik-heute.de _blank>www.klassik-heute.de, Rainer W. Janka, 02.02.2018

     

  • Diapason d'Or for Schnittke/Pärt CD

    Superlative sound captures the fantastic dynamic range and textural quality of the EPCC, from ethereal to grainy fades. (...) As perfectly sung, the Magnificat of Arvo Pärt, work of a rare emotional density in a kind predisposing rather to magnificence, and his Nunc Dimittis offer complements of choice: concise, sober and yet captivating.

    Diapason, Patrick Szernovicz, 2/2018

  • Kaspars Putnins and EPCC in New York celebrated

    Under Kaspars Putnins' direction, the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir sang with a shimmering, warm blend of voices and easy mastery (...) and present and illuminated in the range of piano to mezzoforte.

    New York Classical Review, George Grella, 02.02.2017

  • CD with Rachmaninov's "All-Night Vigil" and the Netherlands Radio Choir

    Kaspars Putnins’ multi-hued Vespers interpretation, backed to the hilt by the tonal heft of the Netherlands Radop Choir’s 68 professional singers, evokes the intensity of Russian Orthodox worship. This outstanding release, recommended without conditions, is crowned with Rachmaninov’s little-known early sacred concerto, an impassioned hymn to Mary, Mother of God, The Theotokos.

    www.sinfinimusic.com, 15.05.2014

  • Traumsommernacht - A summer night's dream

    The ChorWerk Ruhr under the direction of the Latvian conductor Kaspars Putniņš presented works from romantic folk songs by Johannes Brahms (op.62) up to contemporary works including bizarre sounds and demanding rhythms. […] Highlight of the evening was by surprise the contemporary piece “Traumtänze” by Hans Schanderl. Opposing rhythms and a great amount of vocal tones required everything of the 28 singers – provoking enthusiasm within the audience.

    Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, Anna Ernst, 30.07.2013

    ChorWerk Ruhr with their young and sensitiv voices carried the audience away to the land of yearning, the presentiments of death, the coolness of a night in the wood... Kaspars Putniņš was working for the first time with the ChorWerk Ruhr and one was assured of his qualities.

    Neue Ruhr/Neue Rhein Zeitung Essen, D. Schenk-Güllich, 31.07.2013

  • Rachmaninov: Vespers op. 37 at the Konzerthaus Berlin

    The great Latvian conductor Kaspars Putniņš made the multilayed colours of this 15-part chorus cycle shine without any Russian pathos. High, low, deep, mighty, delicate - all was set together astonishingly - magical for instance the high male voices accompanying with much caution the low, endlessly streaming and intimate alto solo.

    Berliner Zeitung, Peter Uehling, 19.02.2013

  • Nachtkonzert with the MDR Leipzig Radio Choir

    Kaspars Putniņš conducted the MDR Radio Choir's late night concert with a sense for space, for sound and for the abilities of this unique choir especially with this unique programme. Everybody who had the chance to listen to this concert had to rejoice because the highest form of musical sensuality was achieved.

    Leipziger Volkszeitung, 01/2012

  • Rachmaninov's "All-night Vigil" with the Rundfunkchor Berlin

    The great Latvian chorus conductor Kaspars Putniņš made the multitudinous colours of this cycle (Rachmaninov Vespers) of 15 parts shine without any Russian pathos. It was amazing how everything was put together, high, deep, powerful, subtle; magical for example how cautious the high male voices accompanied the deep, heartfelt and infinitely floating alto solo: a reversal of the normal use of voices, religiously and appealing.

    Berliner Zeitung, 19.02.2013

Discography

Ülo Krigul - liquid turns

Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Chor
Kaspars Putnins, conductor
BIS (2022)

Rachmaninov: St John Chrysostom


Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
Kaspars Putnins, conductor
BIS (2022)

Alfred Schnittke & Arvo Pärt Alfred Schnittke: Concerto for choir
Arvo Pärt: Seven Magnificat Antiphons
Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
BIS (2021)
Franz Liszt & Arvo Pärt

Franz Liszt: Via Crucis
Arvo Pärt: Sacred Choral Works
Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir

ONDINE (2019)

Alfred Schnittke: Psalms of Repentance Alfred Schnittke: Psalms of Repentance
Arvo Pärt: Magnificat
Arvo Pärt: Nunc dimittis
Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
BIS (2017)
Rachmaninov: All-Night Vigil op. 37 Netherlands Radio Choir
BIS Records (2014)
New Latvian Harvest Latvian Radio Chamber Singers
Latvijas Koncerti (2012)
Jonathan Harvey: The Angels Latvian Radio Choir
Hyperion (2011)
Silva Caledonia Gavin Bryars, Toivo Tulev
Estonian National Male Choir
GB Records (2009)
Glorious Hill Bryars, Vasks, Ešenvalds
Latvian Radio Choir
Latvijas Koncerti (2008)
Rachmaninov: The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom Flemish Radio Choir
Sarah Van Mol, Ivan Goossens
Glossa (2006)
On Photography Bryars, Maskats, Silvestrov
Latvian Radio Choir
Latvijas Koncerti (2005)
Mazulis: Cum Essem Parvulus Latvian Radio Chamber Singers
Megadisc Classic (2003)
Peteris Vasks: Mate Saule Latvian Radio Choir
Aivars Kalejs, organ
BIS (2001)