| For the first time in the history of Eurovision, the Song Contest will include a Latvian group that does not use any musical instruments at all – and yet their performance is entirely live and free of any backing tracks. Moving bass, startling counter-tenor, a trumpet sound and even the beat-box – everything you hear is created only by voices of six singers right in front of your eyes.
Acknowledged as the best young Latvian group in its first year, Cosmos’ first album received an award as the best pop album of 2003 and achieved platinum status. Cosmos have released three new albums since then and they all greatly enjoy the appreciation of audiences in many, many countries. Their distinctive style of a cappella singing and charismatic concert performances, gave these six young musicians the chance to skyrocket to the forefront of popular music. Drawing on a professional musical education and with a very broad range of voices, Cosmos give full expression to their talents across a broad range of musical styles and genres from medieval chant to modern jazz and pop music.
The professionalism of Cosmos has also been recognized beyond the borders of their own country. After seventeen years of denying his greatest hit ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy’ the legendary Bobby McFerrin agreed to sing it once again together with Cosmos when they shared the stage of the Latvian National Opera in 2005. Proud winner of the international competition for young pop singers ‘New Wave 2004’ – with a television audience of 200 million people – Cosmos also won the second prize at the challenging International Choral Music Competition in Gorizia (Italy) the same year. Every performance by Cosmos attracts a full house not only in Latvia but in other Baltic States, such as Russia and Ukraine. And, as a fresh and vibrant group, Cosmos are regularly invited to represent Latvia and accompany the President of the Republic of Latvia Vaira-Vīķe Freibrega at a range of international events. The Mayor of Washington DC, Anthony A. Williams, admitted that after listening to Cosmos he was amazed by the unlimited possibilities of the human voice – nature’s most incredible musical instrument.
To underpin the continuing development of their musical education, Cosmos devote much time to workshops with world-leading a cappella music professionals such as The Hilliard Ensemble, Take 6, The Real Group, The New York Voices, The Flying Pickets and M-Pact.
More details about Cosmos: www.VocalGroupCosmos.com |
