Petras Vyšniauskas (saxophone) and Aleksandra Žvirblytė (piano) "Cosmic Čiurlionis"
Sa 19/07/2025 20:00
Palanga Kurhaus Concert Hall
Closing concert of the festival: “Cosmic Čiurlionis” – a creative dialogue on stage between the legendary saxophonist Petras Vyšniauskas and the renowned pianist Aleksandra Žvirblytė.
Traditions are provoked by the ideas that arise here and now. In the cosmos of Čiurlionic’ visions, an unexpected and intriguing combination of compositions by M. K. Čiurlionis, his predecessors, contemporaries, composers influenced by Čiurlionis’ music, and other authors, with improvisations. Cosmic Visions à la Čiurlionis offers an unexpected and intriguing combination of Čiurlionis’ original compositions and works by his contemporaries, such as the Lithuanian-born virtuoso L. Godowski, the French impressionist C. Debussy, the Danish classicist C. Nielsen, the Ukrainian composer L. Revutsky, and F. Chopin, who deeply influenced Čiurlionis, and later composers such as A. Shenderov, who continued his legacy. The programme combines these works with spontaneous improvisations, creating a lively and fresh musical experience born in the moment.
“Cosmic Čiurlionis” is not only one of the most anticipated and successful projects of the M. K. Čiurlionis Festival, but also an international success. It has toured Lithuanian concert halls and was broadcast on LRT and Lietuvos Rytas television. In 2020, a CD was released, and the programme gained international recognition, having been presented in the UK, Germany, Spain, Poland, and Latvia. The project has also attracted public attention in South Korea, where it was performed during concerts by Petras Vyšniauskas and Aleksandra Žvirblytė.
Featuring:
Meda Siliūtė (piano)
“The concert by Petr Vyšniauskas with pianist Aleksandra Žvirblyte was mesmerising. The concept was simply incredible. The effect is overwhelming, not only because of the constant risks Peter takes, but also because the music is so delicate and intense that tears inevitably well up in your eyes. An unforgettable concert.” – Emmanuel de Gouvello, France
“Lithuanian soprano saxophone master Petras Vyšniauskas is, in my opinion, one of the most original performers on the instrument – his bright phrases unfold in boldly original intervals, and his sound is powerful – stronger and more precise than Sam Rivers, denser and more focused than Steve Lacy, perhaps even polyphonic like Evan Parker.” – Howard Mandel, New York, USA
“Aleksandra Žvirblytė creates an emotional musical picture on stage freely and vividly. Her playing is not only technically perfect, but also spiritually rich; her excellent technique becomes just a means to express her unique musical vision.” – Steen Søgaard, Morgenavisen Jyllandsposten, Denmark
The XIII International M. K. Čiurlionis Music Festival is part of the anniversary program “Čiurlionis 150”.
The festival is organized by the public institution “Klasika LT”.