Janis Kepitis: Piano Miniatures from the Manuscripts, Vol. 2

I really enjoyed the first volume in this series. I like this volume even more. Janis Kepitis was a major composer, performer, and teacher in his native Latvia. He was head of the Department of Chamber Music for the Latvian Academy of Music. As such, he influenced many of the students who came through the school. 

By all accounts, Kepitis was kind and generous. And those traits show in his music. Volume One featured a sampling of his many piano miniatures. Latvia was under Soviet control after World War II. The same political restrictions placed on Soviet composers were inflicted on Latvian composers -- if not more so. 

Kepitis' piano miniatures were written for personal use, as a safe outlet for his creativity. Volume One collected a number of his stand-alone miniatures. This volume focuses on his piano suites. 

Kepitis was a genius miniaturist. Most of these movements are very short and seemingly very simple. But every note does double -- if not triple -- duty.  The individual movements in these suites always total more than the sum of the parts. 

The album opens with "Snowflakes." Three of the movements depict snowfall in very different ways. Yet every one evokes the image of snow. Kepitis quotes "Lo, How a Rose E're Blooming," tinging it with wistful nostalgia. 

The other suites are equally effective. "Impressions of an Evening" sounds Debussy-adjacent. While impressionistic, it's clearly not French, nor in anyone's voice but Kepitis'. 

The two sets of "Mood Paintings" are also impressive. Listen to these suites straight through.  You'll hear a world being built around you, movement by movement. 

Nora Luse turns in another set of tremendous performances. She gives these suites a sense of direction, embuing them with a narrative thread.

Also included is a recording of Kepitis performing one of his own piano works. It simply confirms the obvious. Kepitis was an accomplished pianist of great technical ability. And musicianship to match. 

Are there more Kepitis miniatures awaiting recording? Gosh, I sure hope so. 

Janis Kepitis: Piano Miniatures from the Manuscripts, Volume Two
Nora Luse, Janis Kepitis, piano
Toccata Classics TOCC 0721