In the end of 2022, the book “Recited songs. Practical guide” has been releised in hard copy with additional commentary. The authors of the edition are ethnomusicologists Ieva Weaver, Zane Šmite and Ilze Cepurniece.
In 2021, by focusing on the richness of the ancient layers of Latvian traditional music, the Latvian National Cultural Centre prepared the methodological material in electronic format. At the end of 2022, the methodological material has been released in hard copy and with additional commentary. 'The recited songs are the ancient layer of Latvian traditional music. A different way of singing is typical of these songs – closer to speech rather than melodic, flowing singing', explains Ieva Weaver.
The book is intended for all traditional music stakeholders – folklore clusters and ethnographic ensemble leaders and participants, researchers and scientists. In addition to the analysis of the songs and singing techniques said, the Guide provides recommendations for the acquisition of these songs by using examples of music from the archive of Latviešu Folkloras krātuve (www.garamantas.lv) and the digital archive of the traditional music of the Latvian Music Academy of Latvia. All the melodies used in the material also provide examples of notes transcribed by Ilze Cepurniece.
Ieva Weaver explains,The list of recited songs is also collected in album and published Bandcamp site. The album gives you insight into the tradition of songs and makes it easier to get to the music examples mentioned in the book.”
Electronic material “Recited songs. A practical guide" is still available in the digital platform of intangible cultural heritage in www.nematerialakultura.lv, as well as on the website of the Latvian National Centre for Culture: www.lnkc.gov.lv. It is possible to purchase the practical guide in printed format at the Latvian National Cultural Centre, writing to izdevumi@lnkc.gov.lv.