Kaspars Putniņš Conductor Various countries

Artistic Director Latvian Radio Choir

Kaspars Putniņš has been Artistic Director of the Latvian Radio Choir since 2024.
From 2020 to 2026, he was Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Swedish Radio Choir and held the position of Chief Conductor of the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir (EPCC) from 2014 to 2021.

The Latvian conductor regularly appears with the RIAS Kammerchor Berlin, SWR Vokalensemble Stuttgart, Collegium Vocale Gent, Danish National Vocal Ensemble & Choir, Netherlands Radio Choir, NDR Vokalensemble Hamburg, Flemish Radio Choir and Choeur Accentus, most recently in Paris (Théatre de la Ville), La Seine Musicale in Boulogne-Billancourt and Rouen.

Upcoming guest projects include collaborations with the Polish Radio Choir as well as return engagements with the Danish National Vocal Ensemble and the Flemish Radio Choir.

With the Latvian Radio Choir, he is staging the production “Siddharta”, based on Hesse’s novel with music by Caroline Shaw, which combines theatre, modern opera, Sufi chants and Indian dance. This coproduction by Ruhrtriennale and the Royal Flemish Theatre in Brussels will be performed from October 2026 to January 2027 at the Ruhrtriennale, in Antwerp, Riga and at the Centro Cultural de Belém in Lisbon. At the end of 2026, Kaspars Putniņš will tour Australia with the Latvian Radio Choir, in April 2027 the choir will be performing at Klangvokal Dortmund, Muziekgebouw in Amsterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Eindhoven and Antwerp.

Whilst Kaspars Putniņš’ work encompasses a wide range of choral repertoire from the polyphony of the Renaissance period through to romantic music, his foremost goal has always been to promote new outstanding choral music. He has forged close relationships with many Baltic and Nordic composers including Maija Einfelde, Mārtiņš Viļums, Gundega Šmite, Toivo Tulev, Lasse Thoresen, Gavin Bryars and Andris Dzenitis and has set standards with his interpretations. Putniņš has initiated several drama projects in collaboration with visual and theatre artists.

His large discography includes recordings of Peteris Vasks’ Mate Saule for BIS Records, Jonathan Harvey’s The Angels for Hyperion, works by Bryars, Vasks, Esenvalds, Maskats and Silvestrov, all with the Latvian Radio Choir as well as the CD New Latvian Harvest with contemporary Latvian music with the Latvian Radio Chamber Singers.

BIS Records has released five albums with EPCC: Rachmaninov Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, Ülo Krigul Liquid Turns, Alfred Schnittke Concerto for choir, Arvo Pärt Seven Magnificat Antiphons, Franz Liszt’s Via Crucis and Arvo Pärt: Sacred choral works as well as an album with Schnittke Psalms of Repentance and Pärt Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis, which was awarded the Gramophone Award and Diapason d’Or in 2018. He has also recorded Rachmaninov’s The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom with the Flemish Radio Choir for Glossa. BIS Records released Rachmaninov Vespers with the Netherlands Chamber Choir.

His album with Swedish Radio Choir, Schumann Missa Sacra, for BIS was awarded the Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik 1/2024. The album Angele Dei with the Latvian Radio Choir and contemporary Latvian choral music was released in 2024 for Skani.
In 2025, a second album, …a rivider le stelle, featuring the Swedish Radio Choir and showcasing Swedish choral music, was released.

Putniņš has worked extensively with young singers and conductors in various projects and masterclasses, such as Bachakademie Stuttgart, Vocaal Talent, Meesters & Gezellen and Accentur Paris. From 2013 to 2017 he has been Artistic Director of the Tenso Europe Chamber Choir.

Kaspars Putniņš is recipient of the Latvian Grand Prix of Music and the Latvian Council of Ministers Award for Achievements in Culture and Science. For his devoted activity in the music life of Estonia as chief conductor of the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir Kaspars Putniņš was given the Annual Award of the Cultural Endowment of Estonia in 2019.

Season 2026/27

Images for download:

News/Info

Kaspars Putnins conducts Caroline Shaw (world premiere) at Ruhrtriennale

Kaspars Putnins conducts the world premiere of Caroline Shaw: Siddharta at Ruhrtriennale in Gladbeck with Latvian Radio Choir and further artists on 10 September 2026. Further dates: 11. - 13.09.2026. Siddharta combines theatre, classical voices, pop improvisations, Sufi songs and Indian dance.

Kaspars Putnins conducts Swedish Radio Choir at Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival

Kaspars Putnins conducts the Swedish Radio Choir at Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival in Lübeck on 5 August 2026 and Kiel on 6 August.The programme includes Sven-David Sandström: Sonnets of Darkness and Love«, works by Hugo Alfvén etc. with special guest Nils Landgren.

Kaspars Putnins conducts NDR Vokalensemble Hamburg

Kaspars Putnins conducts the NDR Vokalensemble Hamburg in Hannover on 28 February 2026 and Hamburg on 1 March featuring Schumann: Vier Gesänge op. 141, Die Capelle op. 69 Nr. 6, Die Lotusblume op. 33 Nr. 3, Vier Gesänge op. 59
and Mondnacht op. 39 Nr. 4.

Kaspars Putnins conducts Choeur Accentus

Kaspars Putnins conducts the Choeur Accentus in an A capella programme by Brahms and Schumann in Rouen Chapelle Corneille, La Seine Musicale in Boulogne-Billancourt and Paris Theatre de la Ville on 10,11 and 15 February 2026.

Kaspars Putnins dirigiert Brahms Requiem mit Swedish Radio Choir

Kaspars Putnins conducts the Swedish Radio Choir with Brahms: A German Requiem (version for choir and two pianos) in Stockholm on 24 January 2026.

Kaspars Putnins conducts Latvian Radio Choir on 31 January 2026

Kaspars Putnins conducts the Latvian Radio Choir & instrumentalists at the celebration series of Peteris Vasks' 80th birthday starting on 31 January 2026 in Riga. The programme features Peteris Vasks: Plainscape, Anna Veismane: A Net of Fireflies, Ralph Vaughan Williams: The Lark Ascending and Riccardo Rognoni: Diminutions on themes by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina.

Kaspars Putnins conducts Bach: Christmas Oratorio in Riga

Kaspars Putnins conducts the Sinfonietta Riga and Latvian Radio Choir & soloists on 30 December 2025 in Riga in J.S. Bach: Christmas Oratorio, cantatas 1, 3 and 6.

Kaspars Putnins conducts Swedish Radio Choir in Tokio

Kaspars Putnins conducts the Swedish Radio Choir atTokyo Opera City Concert Hall on 21 October 2025 presenting A cappella music by Arvo Pärt, Anders Hillborg, Richard Strauss, György Ligeti, Sven-David Sandström and Britta Byström.

Kaspars Putnins conducts Anniversary concert of Swedish Radio Choir

Kaspars Putnins conducts the anniversary concert 100 years Swedish Radio Choir in Stockholm on 4 October 2025 in Stockholm. The programme features music by Jesper Nordin, Lars Edlund, Sven-David Sandström, Ingvar Lidholm, Hugo Alfven, Lars Johan Werle, Ludvig Norman, Gösta Nystroem, Wilhelm Stenhammar, Oskar Lindberg as well as a commission piece.

Kaspars Putnins conducts RIAS Kammerchor

Kaspars Putnins conducts the RIAS Kammerchor at Musikfest Bremen in Berlin Philharmonie on 11 September 2025 with music by Arvo Pärt and Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina.

Kaspars Putnins conducts Flemish Radio Choir

Kaspars Putnins conducts the Flemish Radio Choir at Klarafestival in Brussels on 22 March 2025. The programme includes A cappella music by Julia Wolfe, Guillaume de Machaut, Anna Thorvaldsdottir, Kaija Saariaho, Caroline Shaw, Adja Fassa and Patricia Van Ness.

Kaspars Putnins: Pärt Portrait with Latvian Radio Choir & Riga Sinfonietta

Kaspars Putnins conducts Arvo Pärt: Te Deum and Händel: Dixis Dominus with the Latvian Radio Choir and Sinfonietta Riga in Riga on 8 February 2025.

Kaspars Putnins conducts Centenary concert of Swedish Radio Choir

On 1 February 2025 Kaspars Putnins conducts the first festive concert of the centenary of Swedish Radio Choir in Stockholm. The programme features Arvo Pärt: Te Deum and J.S. Bach: Magnificat together with members of Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra.

Kaspars Putnins conducts Bach: Christmas Oratorio in Riga

Kaspars Putnins conducts J.S. Bach: Christmas Oratorio, parts 1, 3 and 6 with Latvian Radio Choir, Sinfonietta Riga and soloists in Riga on 28 December 2024.

Kaspars Putnins conducts Swedish Radio Choir

Kaspars Putnins conducts the Swedish Radio Choir in Stockholm on 16 November 2024. The programme encompasses Brahms: Warum ist das Licht gegeben op. 74/1 and Schnittke: 12 Penitential Psalms.

Kaspars Putnins & Swedish Radio Choir at Baltic Sea Festival Stockholm

Kaspars Putnins and the Swedish Radio Choir interpreted the programme A Night of Dreams at Baltic Sea Festival in Stockholm on 30 August 2024 featuring music by Richard Strauss, Kaija Saariaho, Arnold Schönberg, Märt-Matis Lill as well as the premiere of a piece by Victoria Vita Poleva commissioned by festival (available until 29 September sverigesradio.se/avsnitt/ostersjofestivalen-radiokoren-en-natt-av-drommar)

Kaspars Putnins conducts Swedish Radio Choir in Stockholm

Kaspars Putnins conducts Sven-David Sandström: Sonnets of Darkness and Love with Swedish Radio Choir in Stockholm on 15 and 16 March 2024.

Kaspars Putnins & Swedish Radio Choir: Schumann album

The new album of Kaspars Putnins and Swedish Radio Choir with Robert Schumann: Missa sacra and Vier doppelchörige Gesänge op. 141 was awarded the Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik 1/2024 (BIS label).

Kaspars Putniņš: Artistic Director & Chief Conductor of Latvian Radio Choir

Kaspars Putniņš has been appointed Artistic Director & Chief Conductor of Latvian Radio Choir on 1 January 2024 parallel to his position with Swedish Radio Choir.

Kaspars Putnins conducts Bach: Christmas Oratorio in Riga

Kaspars Putnins conducts Bach: Christmas Oratorio (I, V + VI) with Latvian Radio Choir, Riga Sinfonietta & soloists in Riga on 29 December 2023.

Kaspars Putnins & Swedish Radio Choir: tour in Sweden

Kaspars Putnins and Swedish Radio Choir performed three concerts featuring music by Jesper Nordin, David Wikander, Arvo Pärt, Britta Byström, Lew Pollack, Ingvar Lidholm, Hugo Alfvén, Staffan Storm and Swedish Folksongs: Växjö 18.10.2023, Lund 20.10. and Linköping 22.10. Here the link: https://sverigesradio.se/avsnitt/radiokoren-direkt-fran-lund (available until 19 November)

Kaspars Putnins conducted Swedish Radio Choir at Baltic Sea Festival Stockholm

Kaspars Putnins conducted the Swedish Radio Choir and instrumentalists at Baltic Sea Festivals in Stockholm on 31 August 2023 encompassing the world premiere of Mats Larsson Gothe: Pigeons, as well as music by Jan Sandström, Lidholm,Tally, Nordin, Pollak, Henrikesen, Jormin and Langeland. Here the concert video: https://www.berwaldhallen.se/play/radiokoren-a-riveder-le-stelle/

Kaspars Putniņš conducts Swedish Radio Choir with Hillborg-Brahms-Nyström-Lidholm

Kaspars Putniņš conducted the Swedish Radio Choir in Stockholm on 29 April 2023 in Stockholm, 02.05. Kiruna,

04.05. Pitea, 05.05. Umea, 07.05. Östersund, 08.05. Sundsvall, 09.05. Bollnäs featuring the programme The breathing of the world with music by Anders Hillborg, Brahms, Gösta Nystroem, Ingvar Lidholm, Györgi Ligeti among others. Here the audio link: https://sverigesradio.se/avsnitt/radiokoren-direkt-fran-kiruna-kyrka

Kaspars Putniņš conducted a Ligeti hommage in Stockholm

Kaspars Putniņš conducted the Swedish Radio Choir in Stockholm on 23 March 2023 in an hommage to

Györgyi Ligeti. The programme features Lux Aeterna, Drei Hölderlin Phantasien and A cappella music by Lars Johan Werle, Lars Edlund and Esa-Pekka Salonen. Here the video: https://www.berwaldhallen.se/play/radiokoren-ligeti-100-ar/

Kaspars Putnins conducts RIAS Kammerchor in Berlin

Kaspars Putnins conducts the RIAS Kammerchor in Berlin on 26 February 2023 within the festival Alte Musik Spandau featuring a programme of Andrea and Giovanni Gabrieli as well as Orlando di Lasso.

Kaspars Putniņš conducts NDR Vokalensemble

Kaspars Putniņš conducts the NDR Vokalensemble in Hamburg on 21 January 2023. The programme Light seeking light features music by Felix Mendelssohn,

Jonathan Harvey, Peteris Vasks, James MacMillan and Gundega Smite.

Kaspars Putnins conducts Bach in Riga

Kaspars Putnins conducts J.S. Bach: Christmas Oratorio, cantatas 1-3 with Latvian Radio Choir, Riga Sinfonietta and soloists in Riga on 29 December 2022.

Kaspars Putnins conducts two first performances with Swedish Radio Choir

Kaspars Putnins conducts the Swedish Radio Choir in Stockholm, Sankt Matteus Kyrka on 3 December with the world premieres of Orjan Matre: 2 Christmas Songs and Albert Schnelzer: Sparkling cold as well as music by Schumann, Jonathan Harvey, Karlheinz Stockhausen and Jan Sandström. S2 broadcasts the concert on 30 December, 19:03-20:30 (available until 29 January 2023).

Kaspars Putnins conducts premiere of Matthew Peterson in Stockholm

Kaspars Putnins conducted the Swedish Radio Choir in Stockholm on 29 October 2022 performing Sven-David Sandström: Sonnets of Darkness and Love with trombonist and vocalist Nils Landgren plus the world premiere of Matthew Peterson: An Inner Sky.

Video broadcast on 11 November, 19:00 (CET): https://www.radiokoren.se/en/concert/swedish-radio-choir-sandstrom-in-memoriam/

Kaspars Putnins conducts French A cappella programme in Stockholm

Kaspars Putnins conducts the Swedish Radio Choir in a French A cappella programme in Stockholm

on 2 September within the Baltic Sea Festival. The repertoire includes music by Ton de Leeuw, Olivier Messiaen and Jean-Yves David-Lesur together with video artist Roberts Rubīn, painter Kristīna Rubīne and narrator Etienne Glaser. Swedish Radio2 broadcasts the concert live with an interview of Kaspars Putnins: https://sverigesradio.se/avsnitt/lovsang-till-karleken-med-radiokoren-och-putnins (available until 1 Oct)

Kaspars Putnins conducts Swedish Radio Choir

Kaspars Putnins conducts the Swedish Radio Choir in Stockholm on 4 December. The programme features music by Robert Schumann and Toshio Hosokawa. Swedish Radio 2 broadcasts the concert on 10 December.

Kaspars Putnins with NDR Vokalensemble Hamburg

Kaspars Putnins conducts the NDR Vokalensemble in two concerts in Hannover on 13 November and Hamburg on 14 November. The programme features music by Brahms, Schumann, Toshio Hosokawa and Jonathan Harvey.

Kaspars Putnins & Swedish Radio Choir in Stockholm

On 7 May Kaspars Putnins conducted the Swedish Radio Choir in Stockholm, Engelbrektskyrkan in an A cappella concert with music by Arvo Pärt, Brahms, J.S. Bach,

Gavin Bryars and Tõnu Korvits. Here the video: <link https: www.berwaldhallen.se play radiokoren-putnins-bach>www.berwaldhallen.se/play/radiokoren-putnins-bach/

Kaspars Putnins & Swedish Radio Choir: interview & broadcast

Here the video of the inaugural concert of Kaspars Putnins with Swedish Radio Choir as Artistic Director to be broadcasted on 22 January featuring music by György

Ligeti, Sofia Gubaidulina, Gundiga Smite and Arvo Pärt and an interview with Kaspars Putnins (available until 22 February):<link www.berwaldhallen.se/en/play/interview-with-kaspars-putnins/ _blank>
</link><link www.berwaldhallen.se/en/play/interview-with-kaspars-putnins/ _blank>https://www.berwaldhallen.se/en/play/interview-with-kaspars-putnins/</link>

Kaspars Putnins & Swedish Radio Choir

Kaspars Putnins directs the Swedish Radio Choir in Stockholm Berwaldhallen on 5 December.
The programme features Messiaen: Cinq rechants, Giacinto Scelsi: Tre canti sacri and Jean Yves Daniel-Lesur: Cantique des Cantiques.

Kaspars Putnins conducted Swedish Radio Choir

Kaspars Putnins conducted the Swedish Radio Choir in Stockholm on 10 October featuring music by Jonathan Harvey, J.S. Bach, Händel and Thomas Adès. Here the video: <link www.berwaldhallen.se/play/bachs-magnificat/>https://www.berwaldhallen.se/play/bachs-magnificat/</link>

Kaspars Putnins: Inaugural concert with Swedish Radio Choir

Kaspars Putnins conducts his first concert as Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the Swedish Radio Choir in Stockholm on 12 September. The programme features

music by Ligeti, Pärt, Gubaidulina and Gundega Smite. <link www.radiokoren.se/en/concert/the-swedish-radio-choir-meets-kaspars/></link>

Kaspars Putnins conducts Swedish Radio Choir

On 11 June, 19:00 (CET) Kaspars Putnins conducts the Swedish Radio Choir in Stockholm with music by Mahler/Gottwald, Gundega Smite, Arvo Pärt and Brahms in livestream: <link http: www.berwaldhallen.se play>www.berwaldhallen.se/play

Kaspars Putnins: Appointment as Chief Conductor of Swedish Radio Choir

Kaspars Putnins is appointed Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Swedish Radio Choir from the season 2020/21. The multiple award-winning Latvian conductor has already

worked with the long-standing, treasured choir. His first concert as Chief Conductor takes place in Stockholm in October 2020. Here a video interview of 2018 (11 min): <link https: www.youtube.com _blank>www.youtube.com/watch

Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir & Kaspars Putnins in Amsterdam

The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and Kaspars Putnins are performing at Muziekgebouw Amsterdam on 20 February Arvo Pärt's Summa and Nunc Dimittis as well as Rachmaninov's Liturgy of St. John Chrysostomus op. 31.

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Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and Kaspars Putninš

Press

Album: a riveder le stelle...

Kaspars Putniņš’s rendition of Ingvar Lidholm's a riveder le stelle is sung with impeccable clarity, yielding little to Eric Ericson’s version. Listen to the opening minutes to be enchanted by the Swedish Radio Choir’s sonic range and some truly black singing from the basses. With heavenly solo singing from Lisa Carlioth and superhuman intonation and ensemble, this version will be hard to surpass.
Gramophone, Guy Rickards, 10/2025

Beauty of sound, blend, tuning, breath control, agility and command of dynamics combine to treat us to awe-inspiring singing here.[...] The repertoire is unusual making this disc a voyage of discovery.
musicwebinternational.com, William Hedley, 09.11.2025

Kaspars Putnins, a choir director in demand worldwide, guides singers through the difficult scores and creates a perfect sound that is never sterile, but always warm, intense and bright.
ORF, Albert Hosp, 23.12.2025
Kaspars Putnins & RIAS Kammerchor at Musikfest Berlin

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina's “Missa Papae Marcelli,” performed by the RIAS Chamber Choir under Kaspars Putnins, is a sonic marvel that no other music can really compare to.

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Clemens Haustein,12.09.2025
Schumann: Album with Swedish Radio Choir

Kaspars Putniņš succeeds in transforming supposed craftsmanship into highly expressive intensity. [...] The “Kyrie” has something incredibly mysterious about it, the “Gloria” does not show off with fake exuberance, but rather appears solemn. The delicacy of the “Sanctus” is out of this world. (BIS Records)

Wolfram Goertz, schallplattenkritik.de, 15.02.2024
Kaspars Putnins & Swedish Radio Choir beim Lund Choral Festival 2023

If there is any musical ensemble in the world that symbolizes the collective discipline and focus on what is really heard, then it is the Swedish Radio Choir, Eric Ericson's foster child and the flagship of all choral Sweden.

Swedish choirs live today on useful competition with the Baltic countries, and conductor Kaspars Putniņs from Latvia works with great contrasts within the framework of perfection. Sometimes he goes against the expected approach. His feverish focus on pulse and rhythm holds the music together. Putnins also lets things be unassuming, a phrasing where the final word becomes a dot on the horizon and faint, barely visible but magnetic to the eye. […]

The whole concert is dizzying, saturated with demanding content. Standing ovations.

Skåne Sydsvenskan, Matti Eden, 23.10.2023
Album: Rachmaninov Liturgy of St. Chrysostom

The Estonians are absolutely at home with this repertoire, and Kaspars Putninš knows, as always, exactly how to shape the music so that one section relates to another and there is always a sense of a dramatic curve.[…] This is a magnificent recording, and the Lord’s Prayer mentioned earlier, sung here of course in the original Slavonic, is one of the highlights, superbly controlled and shaped.

Gramophone, Ivan Moody, 5/2022
Kaspars Putnins’ and EPCC’s superb concert at Lux Musicae Festival Finland

Schnittke’s Choir Concerto and Pärt’s Sieben Magnificat Antiphonen (1988) were achieved seemingly with playful ease under conductor Kaspars Putnins’ meticulously exact and clear leadership. All his movements were to the point and meaningful. Communication between choir and conductor at times seemed almost telepathic.[…]. A generous choral light in November gloom.

Hufvudstadsbladet, Mats Liljeroos, 18.11.2019
CD review: Schnittke & Pärt with EPCC

The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir is a lyrical giant, with a dark basic sound, which very much appeals to the ensemble at Schnittke and also at Pärt. (...) Dynamically a huge palette is to be experienced, from the most delicate, extremely fine sounds to the eruptive break-out. As a collective the formation makes an impression in a wonderfully soft forte at the peak of Pärt's Magnificat or in some perfectly pointed Decrescendo. The voicing is fabulous. Not so many ensembles are as relaxed and controlled as the Estonians.

<link http: www.klassik.com.de _blank>www.klassik.com.de, Dr. Matthias Lange, 03.02.2018

The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir under Kaspars Putnins creates Alfred Schnittke's 12 Penitential Psalms compelling and spellbinding. The choral sound is completely pure, effortlessly easy even in the heights. (...) The numerous solo parts let you hear what excellent voices are added to this overall sound. (...) Nunc Dimittis by Arvo Pärt flows quietly dark and mysterious, until "Lumen ad relevationem gentium",when it turns into the most radiant C sharp major. The choir remains soundable and not overdriven in the powerful fortissimo: top class of choir culture. This choir belongs in this formation to the best in the world.

<link http: www.klassik-heute.de _blank>www.klassik-heute.de, Rainer W. Janka, 02.02.2018
Diapason d'Or for Schnittke/Pärt CD

Superlative sound captures the fantastic dynamic range and textural quality of the EPCC, from ethereal to grainy fades. (...) As perfectly sung, the Magnificat of Arvo Pärt, work of a rare emotional density in a kind predisposing rather to magnificence, and his Nunc Dimittis offer complements of choice: concise, sober and yet captivating.

Diapason, Patrick Szernovicz, 2/2018
Kaspars Putnins and EPCC in New York celebrated

Under Kaspars Putnins' direction, the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir sang with a shimmering, warm blend of voices and easy mastery (...) and present and illuminated in the range of piano to mezzoforte.

New York Classical Review, George Grella, 02.02.2017
CD with Rachmaninov's "All-Night Vigil" and the Netherlands Radio Choir

Kaspars Putnins’ multi-hued Vespers interpretation, backed to the hilt by the tonal heft of the Netherlands Radop Choir’s 68 professional singers, evokes the intensity of Russian Orthodox worship. This outstanding release, recommended without conditions, is crowned with Rachmaninov’s little-known early sacred concerto, an impassioned hymn to Mary, Mother of God, The Theotokos.

www.sinfinimusic.com, 15.05.2014
Traumsommernacht - A summer night's dream

The ChorWerk Ruhr under the direction of the Latvian conductor Kaspars Putniņš presented works from romantic folk songs by Johannes Brahms (op.62) up to contemporary works including bizarre sounds and demanding rhythms. […] Highlight of the evening was by surprise the contemporary piece “Traumtänze” by Hans Schanderl. Opposing rhythms and a great amount of vocal tones required everything of the 28 singers – provoking enthusiasm within the audience.

Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, Anna Ernst, 30.07.2013

ChorWerk Ruhr with their young and sensitiv voices carried the audience away to the land of yearning, the presentiments of death, the coolness of a night in the wood... Kaspars Putniņš was working for the first time with the ChorWerk Ruhr and one was assured of his qualities.

Neue Ruhr/Neue Rhein Zeitung Essen, D. Schenk-Güllich, 31.07.2013
Rachmaninov: Vespers op. 37 at the Konzerthaus Berlin

The great Latvian conductor Kaspars Putniņš made the multilayed colours of this 15-part chorus cycle shine without any Russian pathos. High, low, deep, mighty, delicate - all was set together astonishingly - magical for instance the high male voices accompanying with much caution the low, endlessly streaming and intimate alto solo.

Berliner Zeitung, Peter Uehling, 19.02.2013
Nachtkonzert with the MDR Leipzig Radio Choir

Kaspars Putniņš conducted the MDR Radio Choir's late night concert with a sense for space, for sound and for the abilities of this unique choir especially with this unique programme. Everybody who had the chance to listen to this concert had to rejoice because the highest form of musical sensuality was achieved.

Leipziger Volkszeitung, 01/2012
Rachmaninov's "All-night Vigil" with the Rundfunkchor Berlin

The great Latvian chorus conductor Kaspars Putniņš made the multitudinous colours of this cycle (Rachmaninov Vespers) of 15 parts shine without any Russian pathos. It was amazing how everything was put together, high, deep, powerful, subtle; magical for example how cautious the high male voices accompanied the deep, heartfelt and infinitely floating alto solo: a reversal of the normal use of voices, religiously and appealing.

Berliner Zeitung, 19.02.2013
Album: Rachmaninow Liturgy of St. Chrysostom

Die Neueinspielung des Estnischen Philharmonischen Kammerchors unter Kaspars Putnins besticht durch Klangfülle bei gleichzeitiger Klarheit.[…] Putnins weckt das Interesse an der Komposition, ohne den liturgischen Gehalt zu vernachlässigen.

Fono Forum, Thomas Schulz, 09.05.2022

Man kann einfach nicht anders, als der Faszination dieser von einer tief empfundenen Frömmigkeit geprägten Musik zu erliegen. Das mag auch an der ausgezeichneten Klangkultur dieses Chores liegen, der sich dieser weihrauchgeschwängerten Musik mit spiritueller Emphase und chorischer Disziplin widmet. Der Ensembleklang ist superb: ausgewogen, dynamisch flexibel und sensibel am Gestus dieser Musik orientiert. Das zeigt sich auch an der differenzierten Gestaltung, die dieser eher schlichten, zumeist wenig komplexen Musik eine ergreifende Darstellung zuteilwerden lässt. Die Klangfülle, die der exzellente Chor hierbei entfaltet, ist beeindruckend.

www.klassik-heute.de, Guido Krawinkel, 06.04.2022

Discography

a riveder le stelle...

Swedish Choral Music by Lidholm, Hillborg, Edlund, Werle, Byström, Pollak, Storm, Alfven, Wideen, J. Sandström + Traditional
Swedish Radio Choir
Kaspars Putnins, conductor
(BIS 2025)

Angele Dei

New Choral Music by Latvian Composers
Latvian Radio Choir
Kaspars Putnins, conductor
(Skani 2024)

Schumann: Missa sacra

Robert Schumann: Missa sacra + Vier doppelchörige Gesänge op. 141
Swedish Radio Choir
Kaspars Putnins, conductor
(BIS 2023)

Ülo Krigul - liquid turns

Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Chor
Kaspars Putnins, conductor
BIS (2022)

Rachmaninov: St John Chrysostom

Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
Kaspars Putnins, conductor
BIS (2022)

Alfred Schnittke & Arvo Pärt Alfred Schnittke: Concerto for choir
Arvo Pärt: Seven Magnificat Antiphons
Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
BIS (2021)

Franz Liszt & Arvo Pärt

Franz Liszt: Via Crucis
Arvo Pärt: Sacred Choral Works
Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir

ONDINE (2019)

Alfred Schnittke: Psalms of Repentance Alfred Schnittke: Psalms of Repentance
Arvo Pärt: Magnificat
Arvo Pärt: Nunc dimittis
Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
BIS (2017)

New Latvian Harvest Latvian Radio Chamber Singers
Latvijas Koncerti (2012)

Rachmaninov: All-Night Vigil op. 37 Netherlands Radio Choir
BIS Records (2014)

Jonathan Harvey: The Angels Latvian Radio Choir
Hyperion (2011)

Silva Caledonia Gavin Bryars, Toivo Tulev
Estonian National Male Choir
GB Records (2009)

Glorious Hill Bryars, Vasks, Ešenvalds
Latvian Radio Choir
Latvijas Koncerti (2008)

Rachmaninov: The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom Flemish Radio Choir
Sarah Van Mol, Ivan Goossens
Glossa (2006)

On Photography Bryars, Maskats, Silvestrov
Latvian Radio Choir
Latvijas Koncerti (2005)

Mazulis: Cum Essem Parvulus Latvian Radio Chamber Singers
Megadisc Classic (2003)

Peteris Vasks: Mate Saule Latvian Radio Choir
Aivars Kalejs, organ
BIS (2001)

Ülo Krigul - liquid turns

Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
Kaspars Putnins, Dirigent
BIS (2022)

Rachmaninov: St John Chrysostom

Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
Kaspars Putnins, Dirigent
BIS (2022)

Kaspars Putniņš Conductor Various countries

Artistic Director Latvian Radio Choir

News/Info

Kaspars Putnins conducts Caroline Shaw (world premiere) at Ruhrtriennale

Kaspars Putnins conducts Swedish Radio Choir at Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival

Kaspars Putnins conducts NDR Vokalensemble Hamburg

Kaspars Putnins conducts Choeur Accentus

Kaspars Putnins dirigiert Brahms Requiem mit Swedish Radio Choir

Kaspars Putnins conducts Latvian Radio Choir on 31 January 2026

Kaspars Putnins conducts Bach: Christmas Oratorio in Riga

Kaspars Putnins conducts Swedish Radio Choir in Tokio

Kaspars Putnins conducts Anniversary concert of Swedish Radio Choir

Kaspars Putnins conducts RIAS Kammerchor

Kaspars Putnins conducts Flemish Radio Choir

Kaspars Putnins: Pärt Portrait with Latvian Radio Choir & Riga Sinfonietta

Kaspars Putnins conducts Centenary concert of Swedish Radio Choir

Kaspars Putnins conducts Bach: Christmas Oratorio in Riga

Kaspars Putnins conducts Swedish Radio Choir

Kaspars Putnins & Swedish Radio Choir at Baltic Sea Festival Stockholm

Kaspars Putnins conducts Swedish Radio Choir in Stockholm

Kaspars Putnins & Swedish Radio Choir: Schumann album

Kaspars Putniņš: Artistic Director & Chief Conductor of Latvian Radio Choir

Kaspars Putnins conducts Bach: Christmas Oratorio in Riga

Kaspars Putnins & Swedish Radio Choir: tour in Sweden

Kaspars Putnins conducted Swedish Radio Choir at Baltic Sea Festival Stockholm

Kaspars Putniņš conducts Swedish Radio Choir with Hillborg-Brahms-Nyström-Lidholm

Kaspars Putniņš conducted a Ligeti hommage in Stockholm

Kaspars Putnins conducts RIAS Kammerchor in Berlin

Kaspars Putniņš conducts NDR Vokalensemble

Kaspars Putnins conducts Bach in Riga

Kaspars Putnins conducts two first performances with Swedish Radio Choir

Kaspars Putnins conducts premiere of Matthew Peterson in Stockholm

Kaspars Putnins conducts French A cappella programme in Stockholm

Kaspars Putnins conducts Swedish Radio Choir

Kaspars Putnins with NDR Vokalensemble Hamburg

Kaspars Putnins & Swedish Radio Choir in Stockholm

Kaspars Putnins & Swedish Radio Choir: interview & broadcast

Kaspars Putnins & Swedish Radio Choir

Kaspars Putnins conducted Swedish Radio Choir

Kaspars Putnins: Inaugural concert with Swedish Radio Choir

Kaspars Putnins conducts Swedish Radio Choir

Kaspars Putnins: Appointment as Chief Conductor of Swedish Radio Choir

Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir & Kaspars Putnins in Amsterdam

YouTube video

Press

Album: a riveder le stelle...

Kaspars Putnins & RIAS Kammerchor at Musikfest Berlin

Schumann: Album with Swedish Radio Choir

Kaspars Putnins & Swedish Radio Choir beim Lund Choral Festival 2023

Album: Rachmaninov Liturgy of St. Chrysostom

Kaspars Putnins’ and EPCC’s superb concert at Lux Musicae Festival Finland

CD review: Schnittke & Pärt with EPCC

Diapason d'Or for Schnittke/Pärt CD

Kaspars Putnins and EPCC in New York celebrated

CD with Rachmaninov's "All-Night Vigil" and the Netherlands Radio Choir

Traumsommernacht - A summer night's dream

Rachmaninov: Vespers op. 37 at the Konzerthaus Berlin

Nachtkonzert with the MDR Leipzig Radio Choir

Rachmaninov's "All-night Vigil" with the Rundfunkchor Berlin

Album: Rachmaninow Liturgy of St. Chrysostom

Discography