Lūcija Garūta was a Latvian pianist, poet and composer who studied with Jāzeps Vītols

Jazeps Vitols

-Biography:Vītols, the son of a schoolteacher, began his studies in composition in 1880 at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory with Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. After graduating in 1886, he remained at the Conservatory to teach composition and reached the rank of Professor in 1901. His pupils there...

 and worked as a concert pianist. She turned to composing when illness ended her performing career.

A tape of the premiere of her cantata God, Your Earth Is Burning (1943) during World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

 captured the sounds of battle outside of Riga Dom. The premiere featured massed choirs conducted by Teodors Reiters while the composer played the Doma ērģeles pipe organ

Dome Cathedral Pipe Organ

Dome Pipe Organ is the second largest pipe organ in Latvia, is located in Riga Cathedral. The largest mechanical pipe organ in Latvia is located in Liepāja Holy Trinity Cathedral- History :...

. The cantata was banned under Soviet control of Latvia and was revived in 1990 at the 20th Latvian Song Festival with over ten thousand singers.

Works

Selected works include:

• God, Your Earth Is Burning (1943) for soloists, chorus and organ
• Piano Concerto (1952)
• Prelude for piano in C sharp minor
• Prelude for piano in E Major
• Andante Tranquillo', piano trio in B

Her works have been recorded and issued on media, including:

• Latvian Patriotic Cantatas, Audio CD (May 18, 1999), Riga Recording, ASIN: B00000J8QK
• Dievs, tava zeme deg! (January 1, 2003) Baltic Records Group, ASIN: B000QZX3VM