The traditional singing group "Saucējas" are nine Latvian women united by a common goal – to learn and promote the styles and techniques of Latvian ethnographic singing, with special emphasis on local multipart singing traditions. The repertoire of the group consists of songs and vocal styles from three Latvian regions.
This includes both archaic drone singing, and the most spectacular songs in the "Saucējas" repertoire: "rotāšanas" from the Selonian region. The unique, archaic sound of "rotāšanas" is created by tense second intervals combined with a drone. Archival audio recordings of traditional singing and personal contact with traditional singers during research in the field have also shaped the "Saucējas" repertoire.
Best folk music album at the Latvian music industry awards 2012
Latvian traditional folk songs
1. Self titled CD "Saucējas", 2007, Culture Management Centre "Lauska". Dedicated to the traditional songs from various regions of Latvia.
2. "Dziediet, meitas, vokora", 2012, Culture Management Centre "Lauska". Dedicated to the thorough research of traditional songs from the Selonian region, including unique second interval polyphonies.
3. Live recording "Saucējas: en concert a Paris", 2014, Buda Musique.
4. CD yet to be released: "Kārsavas dziesmas", 2015, Culture Managment Centre "Lauska".
“Saucējas” have performed in concerts and festivals in Latvia and abroad: Austria, France, Lithuania, Estonia, Georgia, Belarus, Russia, Bulgaria and Poland.
Gita Lancere (Expert in traditional culture, Latvian National Centre for Culture), “Kultūras Forums”, 29 April – 6 May 2005 „Saucējas” and their leader, Iveta Tāle are implementing that which Latvia’s folklore movement has been discussed for years, usually only as a desire – they learn their repertoire and singing style directly from older traditional singers....The persistent, purposeful work of the “Saucējas” has also gained its critics, which accuse the ensemble of laying claim to the only right way to sing. I don’t think that “Saucējas” have this kind of ambition. The only thing they could lay claim to, is that they are following one of the possible – and, it seems, the most advanced road in mastering tradition.
Uldis Rudaks (music critic), Diena.lv (Latvia's largest daily newspaper), 26 October, 2007 http://www.diena.lv/arhivs/linu-linu-ne-pakulu-13284827
(about the album "Saucējas")
The material which can be heard on the album, of course, is an original recreation, but considering that folkloric heritage is slowly sinking into a mire of forgetfulness, it can be compared to making an incredibly accurate copy of a valuable painting, when the original has been damaged over time, and is destined for inevitable destruction.
Gita Lancere, "Mūzikas Saule"(music magazine), Nr. 3, 2012
(about the album "Dziediet, meitas, vokarā")
This rare publication has been compiled so carefully – by searching for the real sound in the hillocks of Sēlija, by going on expeditions to the places that traditional singers once lived, by working with language specialist Maija Poiša on the Selonian dialect. The publication “Dziediet meitas, vokarā” has great historical value – an academically and humanely rich text introduces the music of the album, in which ears which are unaccustomed to listening to archaic, at times clashing harmonies, are also occasionally stroked by a more familiar melody. The album has international value and significance.
Ilmārs Šlāpins (Editor, writer, journalist, music critic). "Rīgas Laiks", 2012
(about the album "Dziediet, meitas, vokarā")
No matter how serious and scientifically-based is the work of collecting and archiving folklore, no matter how professional and valuable is its technical execution, you can still feel a conspiratorial spark in these contemporary folklorists, which also makes this recording a personal experience. The traditional singing group of the Latvian Academy of Culture, “Saucējas” have published a small book and an excellent album, which surprises the listener with its powerful charge of folklore from Sēlpils and Vārnava.
Valdis Muktupāvels (Doctor of Art, Professor at the University of Latvia, composer, and musician) , “Letonica” Journal of Humanities Nr. 3, 2012
(about the album "Dziediet, meitas, vokarā")
An outstanding, informative publication has appeared in the field of Latvian culture, which marks a new approach in the research of traditional music. It is not hard to agree with all three of the texts contained in the foreward: the “Saucējas” album is beautiful, it sounds contemporary, causes excitement, wonderment, respect and pride, as well as reviving and popularising a wonderful tradition from the late 19th century. Actually this album could be considered as a kind of example as to how to give sound to an ancient local tradition, and make it accessible to an interested auditorium.
Ilze Šarkovska-Liepiņa (Musicologist, Dr.Art., Director of the Research Department, Latvian Academy of Music), "Latvijas Avīze", 8 January 2013
(about the album "Dziediet, meitas, vokarā")
"The tradition of Latvian vocal polyphony is a true masterpiece of the vocal polyphony of the world,” Australian musicologist Joseph Jordania writes in the introduction to this album. It is also a phenomenon worthy of admiration in the context of Latvian music itself – as long as we listen with dignity and respect. “Saucējas” achieve this in a splendid, enthusiastic, and intelligent manner. In some instances the second intervals and other multipart harmonies seem to sound almost too perfect and professional, which allow the listener to completely enjoy the vibrancy of the polyphony, which is simultaneously ancient and contemporary.
