Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society (LNPh) is the biggest concert agency in Lithuania, which was granted the status of national cultural institution in July 1998. Since 2006, LNPh has been managed by Rūta Prusevičienė.
LNPh is located in Vilnius. There are two halls on the premises – Concert Hall and Chamber Hall.
LNPh unites the best Lithuanian performers: Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra (established in 1940, artistic director and chief conductor Juozas Domarkas), M.K. Čiurlionis String Quartet (1968, Jonas Tankevičius, Darius Dikšaitis, Gediminas Dačinskas, Saulius Lipčius), Vilnius String Quartet (1965, Audronė Vainiūnaitė, Artūras Šilalė, Girdutis Jakaitis, Augustinas Vasiliauskas), chamber ensemble Musica humana (1974, Algirdas Vizgirda, Ričardas Vytas, Raimundas Jasiukaitis, Robertas Beinaris, Gediminas Kviklys), and two soloists (Judita Leitatė and Sigutė Trimakaitė).
LNPh organises symphonic and camber music concerts in Lithuania and abroad, concerts dedicated to various composers, solo recitals, concert series, featuring Lithuanian and international collectives and performers, and devotes major attention to the national repertoire. The most prominent international performers are invited to give concerts in Lithuania including violist Yuri Bashmet, cellist David Geringas, violinist Gidon Kremer, pianist Denis Matsujev, conductor Riccardo Muti and orchestra Filarmonica della Scala, composer and conductor Krzysztof Penderecki, jazz celebrities Al Di Meola and Al Jarreau, to name just a few.
The collectives of the National Philharmonic Society of Lithuania represent Lithuania abroad. In 2004–2006, the geography of concert tours of Lithuanian musicians covered nearly every European country, the USA and Japan. Aiming to promote the national repertoire, the Society annually holds a number of concerts featuring works as well as premieres by Lithuanian composers.
LNPh organises festivals in Lithuania (Vilnius Festival, Nakties Serenados in Palanga, Kuršių Nerija in Neringa, etc.). Concert series in Nida, Juodkrantė and Palanga, as well as concert series celebrating anniversaries of various collectives of LNPh enjoy popularity among the audiences.
LNPh participates in diverse national and international projects and programs, and collaborates with various cultural organisations. Recent years saw strengthening of cooperation with Lithuanian Composers’ Union and Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre in organising contemporary music festivals. In 2002–2003 LNPh has implemented Lithuanian-Swedish two-year music exchange program, initiated similar exchange with Norway (to be implemented in 2005), continues UPBEAT program, featuring young chamber musicians from Nordic countries (since 1999). LNPh collaborates with members of EFA, ISPA and PEARLE.
LNPh is a member of Lithuanian Association of National Institutions, and a number of international organisations, including EFA (European Festival Association), ISPA (International Society of Performing Arts), Nordic-Baltic Association of State Concert Institutions, and PEARLE (European League of the Performing Arts Employers’ Association).
