Program:
Philip Glass – Metamorphosis (1988)
Erik Satie – Gnossiennes and Gymnopédies
Philip Glass – Metamorphosis (1988)
A five-part piano cycle inspired by Franz Kafka’s literature and Glass’s music theatre works (The Thin Blue Line, The Hours). The composition features minimalist aesthetics – repetitive structures, subtle harmonic shifts, and rhythmic flow. Each piece is based on small motifs that gradually gain emotional depth. This music creates a state of being, rather than following a linear narrative – a place where time seems to dissolve.
Erik Satie – Gnossiennes and Gymnopédies
Satie’s work is considered an early milestone of 20th-century modernism. His Gymnopédies and Gnossiennes exemplify aesthetic minimalism – slow tempos, clear melodies, and metric ambiguity. The Gymnopédies are often interpreted as proto-impressionist, while the Gnossiennes use unconventional modes and rhythmic freedom. These works inspire inner reflection and form a bridge between Romanticism and the avant-garde, influencing composers like Debussy, Cage, and even Glass.
Darius Mažintas is a contemporary Lithuanian pianist, known for his subtle and expressive interpretations. Born in 1982 in Vilnius, he began his musical studies at the National M. K. Čiurlionis School of Art, later continuing at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, and undertaking further studies at the G. Verdi Conservatory in Milan.
He has performed in the United States, Germany, France, Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands, and elsewhere, appearing at prestigious international festivals. In addition to his solo career, he is an active chamber musician, collaborating with renowned Lithuanian performers and orchestras. He has released several CDs, including Letters from the Past: Jewish Songs and a solo classical music program.