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I recommend you an album released by Deutsche Grammophon today, on 15^th September, 2014. We can find the name of the Latvian mezzo-soprano Elina Garanca on its cover, and the album is called Meditation, because it contains , as you can assume, religious compositions that you can listen to. On the presentation material of this album, which is included in our Vote for the Best Classical Album of 2014 campaign, the producers said that we could listen to a “marvellous selection of spiritual music dedicated to the eternal search for the inner peace. It is probably the most personal of the Elina Garanca’s albums, an album  that connects the listener to the Latvish roots of Elina Garanca.” Yes, I also do believe that the Latvish songs on this album, practically unknown, are very interesting and they truly represent a discovery: it contains the Dievaines by Ugis Praulins and two songs from the Silent songs cycle by Peteris Vasks. Elina Garanca recorded this album in the company of the Latvish Radio’s Choire and Saarbrucken’s Radio Orchestra, conducted by Karel Mark Chichon.
Who is Elina Garanca? Elina Garanca, the mezzo-soprano who on 16^th September celebrates her 38^th anniversary, is certainly one of the most important names of the contemporary lyric theatre; a warm voice, with a special timbre, a diva’s appearance, blonde and very beautiful; with performances on the biggest stages applauded by the public and the critics; with an exclusive contract with Deutsche Grammophon ever since 2005 and 29 albums which have her name on them (complete works, opera galas or recitals) – this is Elina Garanca.

What I mostly admire  about Elina Garanca’s new album Meditation is the repertoire selection and the fact that she succeeds to bring forward valuable names in her country’s culture, Latvia. There are also another famous works on this album : Sanctus and Repentir from The Solemn Missa of Saint Cecilia by Charles Gounod, Laudate Dominum from Vesperae solenne de confessore by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Miserere mei, Deus by Gregorio Allegri, Salve Regina by Giacomo Puccini, Ave Maria by Giulio Caccini and Ave Maria by William Gomez.

I recommend you to consider the broadcast of these plays as an opportunity for a journey to the inner self of each and everyone of you. Even if they seem to be big words, I still think that it is the nourishment of that inner self which makes us, day by day, be better and full of life.

The Meditation album can be listened to in a premiere broadcast on Monday, 15^th September, at 19:00, on Music Box; repeats are scheduled on Sunday, 21^st  September, at 13:00.