Biruta Ozolina
Bolta Eimu
UPE (www.upe.parks.lv)

Over the past several decades, Latvia has seen a gradual re-awakening of its folk traditions, to go along with its increased freedom in a variety of spheres. This revival of interest in older musical expressions has resulted in a small (but slowly expanding) recording industry that focuses on Latvian traditional music. Biruta Ozolina has been a part of this revival, serving as a member of various traditional bands in Latvia throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Ozolina comes from a long line of singers. Her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother all appear in Latvia's folklore archives. On this release, she sings and accompanies herself on the Latvian national instrument, the kokle (a relative of the zither-like instruments found throughout many neighbouring regions).

"Es sovam serpeisem"

Recorded over a 12-year span, the 14 songs on Bolta Eimu are largely from Ozolina's native area, Latgale. Many of the songs were chosen from manuscripts compiled in the late 1800s. Ozolina is known for her ability to sing in an open and direct way, and on this recording her vocals are marked by a quiet clarity and a purity of tone. At times, her singing is playful, but it is usually introspective and even reverent. She plays the kokle both by picking as well as strumming, to fit the song. In her skillful hands, the kokle sounds like a harp, a zither and an autoharp in various enticing combinations. - Ivan Emke

Song: "Es sovam serpeisem" traditional
© 1999 UPE, Latvia, used by express permission