Seventh
Nationwide
Song Celebration
1931

The concert takes place on a specially designed open-air stage in Rīga’s Esplanāde. The celebration’s chief conductors – Pauls Pēteris Jozuus, Teodors Kalniņš, Teodors Reiters and Emilis Melngailis – have worked selflessly. This celebration is Melngailis’ finest hour – the seven folk-song arrangements and two original songs performed at the celebration characterise the essence of his creativity and confirm the composer as one of the outstanding masters of Latvian choral music.

In terms of both the number of composers and of works, this is the most extensive programme in celebration history. There is a great deal of diversity, particularly in terms of content – the songs stand out for their unrestricted range of subjects. The organisers’ objective is to present as wide a spectrum as possible of the Latvian choral song of that time. “The whole, diverse team of organisers, the throngs of diligent singers with their conductors and – thank God! – also, most of the general public, do not consider the song celebration as a mere singalong and party. The song celebration has been and will be a parade of national culture, a reinforcement of and source of strength for national unity. [...] the song celebrations’ grand gatherings, more than anything else, make the nation feel united in our major goals and tasks,” writes Jēkabs Graubiņš in 1931. (Grauzdiņa, Ilma, The Little Song-celebration Encyclopaedia, 2004, p 42)

Under the leadership of Rihards Zariņš, the National Costume Commission publishes sketches of 12 regional costumes and sends them to choirs for information. A costume competition for choirs is announced, and the judging commission is chaired by Latvia’s First Lady Mrs Elza Kviese. Once again, a choir competition is not held, because there is not enough time for singers to prepare for the concert programme.

Jāzeps Mediņš’ opera Vaidelote, Jānis Rainis’ plays Indulis and Ārija, and Pūt, vējiņi! (Blow, Wind, Blow), Aspazija’s Zalkša līgava (The Grass-snake’s Bride) and other productions are performed at the National Opera and Rīga’s theatres.