Lucija Garuta (1902-1977)
- Legenda (1934)
- Etudes for the Sostenuto Pedal (1936, 1956)
- Meditation (1935)
- 4 Preludes (1927, 1929)
Ester Mägi (1922-2021)
- 3 Sea Tableaux (1961)
- Junipers of Kassari (1994)
- 10 Piano Pieces {1-4, 6-8} (1957)
- The Ancient Kannel (1985)

What a pleasant and unexpectedly enthralling release this is. Captivating piano works by two relatively unknown 20th century composers from the Baltic States, Latvia and Estonia respectively, some on offer here as premiere recordings.

These pioneering composers maintained their own voice within restrictive frameworks imposed by Soviet occupation. {Booklet Notes}

My initial impression when listening to the music of Lucija Garuta (1902-1977) was that of a pianist and composer highly influenced by the dark harmonic colours of Alexander Scriabin, so upon eventually reading the booklet notes I wasn't surprised to see pianist Eva Maria Doroszkowska express the same findings. Garuta's formal studies include composition at the conservatory in Riga, and later on in Paris piano with Alfred Cortot and composition with Paul Dukas. Her piano pieces, especially the Four Preludes, inhabit a chromatically dense harmonic, old-world, hyper-romantic universe, and a finely-tuned grasp of the keyboard's boundless possibilities.

On the other hand, the composer that immediately springs to mind when listening to the music of Ester Mägi (1922-2021) is Claude Debussy. In particular, when listening to her 3 Sea Tableaux, you can't but draw comparisons with Debussy's La Mer. Self-taught at the piano from an early age, she took on formal piano studies during her teens at the Tallinn Conservatory, but eventually switched to composition following a hand injury. Her interests covered everything from Renaissance vocal works to folk music. In comparison to Garuta's darker hues, her piano music sounds bright and rhythmically alive.

From Mägi's outer sparkle to Garuta's inner turmoil, Eva Maria Doroszkowska flawlessly brings out each composer's individual traits and attributes. All piano music enthusiasts out there looking to hear something fresh yet steeped in tradition should seriously consider adding this CD to your collection.