Contemporary transformations in chamber music
On February 1st at 6 PM, we invite you to an exclusive evening at the Sapiegų Palace, featuring the latest works by one of the most prominent contemporary Lithuanian composers, Feliksas Bajoras. The concert will showcase his new pieces for wind instruments solo and for wind and string ensembles. “The Turn” signifies a new creative direction, opening up uncharted musical paths and delicately exploring the possibilities of chamber music. The program, presenting four world premieres, will reveal the subtleties of instrument interaction, the depths of polyphonic thought, and constantly shifting musical colors, allowing the audience to experience how masterfully the composer and performers utilize the unique qualities of different instruments.
PROGRAMME – works by F. Bajoras:
Event for string quartet (premiere)
Three Interludes for clarinet
In Response for bassoon (premiere)
Autumn. Leaves for woodwind quintet (premiere)
The Turn for viola, clarinet, and piano (premiere)
PERFORMERS:
Mettis Quartet (Kostas Tumosa, Bernardas Petrauskas – violins; Tomas Petrikis – viola; Rokas Vaitkevičius – cello)
St. Christopher Woodwind Quintet (Giedrius Gelgotas – flute; Ugnius Dičiūnas – oboe; Andrius Žiūra – clarinet; Andrius Dirmauskas – horn; Andrius Puplauskis – bassoon)
Trio Claviola (Jurgis Juozapaitis – viola; Vytautas Giedraitis – clarinet; Ugnė Antanavičiūtė – piano)
Soloists: Vytautas Giedraitis (clarinet) and Andrius Puplauskis (bassoon)
The concert will be presented by musicologist Rūta Gaidamavičiūtė.
Feliksas Bajoras is an unpredictable and constantly surprising composer whose music stands out for its unique combination of ethnic and contemporary elements and distinctive musical dramaturgy. Reflecting on his work, the composer once stated: “In my music, one phrase seemingly ends, but even before it concludes, another is already sprouting from it. Capturing this moment, this ‘almost ending,’ and intuitively beginning the next requires a performer who feels the author’s intent, unburdened by routine.” Bajoras’ music, setting high demands for both himself and performers, has become a benchmark of national expression. As musicologist Rūta Gaidamavičiūtė observed: “In a time when a piece often becomes a one-time action without much attention to the precision of each sound, Bajoras’ work represents a traditional approach—where every sound is immovable, carrying strong expressive weight, its own rhythmic energy, and diverse connections not only within a single piece but also with others and with tradition itself.”
Mettis Quartet is one of the brightest Lithuanian chamber music ensembles. Formed in 2012 at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, the quartet honed its craft at the European Chamber Music Academy (ECMA) under the guidance of the world’s leading pedagogues. The quartet’s international acclaim is reflected in its significant achievements: in 2016, it won second prize and a special award at the prestigious Bordeaux String Quartet Competition in France and claimed victory at the 9th V.E. Rimbotti Quartet Competition in Italy. “Mettis” has performed in renowned venues worldwide, such as Wigmore Hall in London, Konzerthaus in Berlin, Laeiszhalle in Hamburg, Calouste Gulbenkian in Lisbon, and the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. The ensemble has also participated in distinguished festivals, including Aix-en-Provence, Montpellier Radio France, and Vilnius festivals. Beyond Europe, “Mettis” has toured in China, Israel, the USA, Panama, and Canada. The ensemble has released several high-quality recordings, including its latest album featuring works by Beethoven, issued by the label “Odradek” in 2022.
St. Christopher Wind Quintet has been a vibrant presence in Lithuanian chamber music for over 20 years, uniting laureates of numerous national and international competitions. The ensemble has achieved remarkable success, including first place at the 6th International Henri Tomasi Wind Quintet Competition in Marseille (France) and fourth place at the prestigious chamber music competition in Osaka (Japan), which attracted 230 participants.
The quintet regularly performs on stages in Lithuania and abroad, participating in festivals such as the Vilnius Festival, “Kristupo vasara,” “Sugrįžimai,” “Druskomanija,” “Iš arti,” and FIMU (France). Its repertoire spans classical and contemporary works, with a special focus on music by Lithuanian composers. Beyond traditional concerts, the quintet engages in interdisciplinary projects and seeks out unique compositions, including rarely performed or previously unheard music, thereby enriching the wind ensemble repertoire.
Trio Claviola, founded in 2007, stands out for its youthful energy, exceptional mastery, and unique sound. All trio members—students of the late Professor Julius Andrejevas’ chamber music class—have earned doctoral degrees in music and international acclaim. The ensemble has won top prizes and Grand Prix awards at numerous competitions in Lithuania and abroad and has performed at prestigious festivals in Europe and major Lithuanian venues. The trio members have honed their skills with world-renowned professors such as H. Beyerle, A. Kouyoumdjian, J. Meissl, and P. Prause.
Known for its authentic sound and distinctive performance style, “Claviola” has received high praise from critics. Its repertoire encompasses classical and contemporary works, including over 20 premieres dedicated to the ensemble. The trio has also recorded several albums, including the vinyl and CD “Icons,” which showcases works by Lithuanian composers.
Vytautas Giedraitis is one of the most prominent Lithuanian clarinetists of our time, representing a multicultural clarinet tradition that blends Lithuanian, French, and Danish schools. A Doctor of Arts from the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (under Professor A. Budrys), Giedraitis studied at the Kaunas J. Naujalis Music Gymnasium (with V. Žemaitis), spent 2007–2008 in Paris (under Professor M. Arrignon), and trained at the Royal Danish Conservatory (under Professor J. Jensen). He is a laureate of 14 national and international competitions and a participant in festivals in Lithuania and abroad. As a soloist, Giedraitis has performed with the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra, the LMTA Symphony Orchestra, and chamber orchestras in Lithuania, Pärnu (Estonia), Kaunas, and the St. Christopher Chamber Orchestra. He serves as the principal clarinetist of the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre.
Andrius Puplauskis is a distinguished bassoonist and laureate of numerous national and international competitions. Renowned for his exceptional artistry, he performs extensively in Lithuania and abroad. His repertoire spans an impressive range, from Baroque and classical music to contemporary works, pop, jazz, electronic music, and improvisations on the electric bassoon.
In 2009, Puplauskis released Lithuania’s first solo bassoon music album “Bassoon in Lithuanian”, featuring the finest works of Lithuanian bassoon music. He is the principal bassoonist of both the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra and the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre. Puplauskis is also an associate professor at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre.
The project is funded by the Lithuanian Council for Culture, Vilnius city municipality and the Association LATGA.