Dzintars

The Latvian choral group Dzintars has taken the folk songs of the Balkan Mountains to an international platform. With its 76 female voices directed by Imants Cepitis and Ausma Derkevica, the group continues to weave its infectious mixture of traditional and modern Latvian songs. Dzintars, whose name is translated as "amber" (the highly prized fossilized pine used in necklaces, bracelets and rings), has received numerous awards. The group received the Gold Diploma in Hungary's Bartok Competition in 1968 and the Netherlands' Grand Prix in 1977. Their 1990 album, Songs of Amber: Dzintars: The Latvian, was recorded during the group's 1989 U.S. tour at George Lucas' Skywalker Studios in northern California; it was produced by Mickey Hart and Jerry Garcia. In addition to traditional Latvian tunes, including the Latvian freedom anthem, "Blow, Wind, Blow," the album included three Yiddish folk songs ("Sleep, My Child"; "Di Raike"; and "Oi Hanuke") and a modern Russian composition, "So Silent Is the Ukrainian Night." ~ Craig Harris, Rovi