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3.6.2009
National Philharmonic Box Office opening hours in June
Even though the Concert Season 2008/2009 is officially closed, we invite you to see the beginning of the summer season in Vilnius and attend some events scheduled in June at the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Hall and elsewhere. For those interested in booking and purchasing tickets for those events (if not indicated otherwise) we recommend to note changes in the opening hours of the National Philharmonic Box Office. More

22.5.2009
Vilnius Festival hosted EFA General Assembly and Conference 2009
From 13 to 16 May, the European Festivals Association (EFA) held its General Assembly and Conference 2009 in Vilnius. Hosted by the Vilnius Festival, this year’s annual meetings formed an official part of Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009. Included in the agenda were the one-day conference “Artistic Trends in Festivals,” the launch of EFA BOOKS 4 “Dialogue,” as well as the election of the EFA president. The most important outcomes: The Association representing 110 arts festivals from 38 countries re-elected its current President Darko Brlek for a second four-year term and seven new members joined the Association. More

27.4.2009
Classical treasures and spellbinding performances to be presented at the Vilnius Festival 2009
April 21st a press conference was held, presenting the programme highlights of the Vilnius Festival 2009 and other related events. The current edition of the Festival, slated for May 13th–29th, is dedicated to Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009. Another, important focus of the festival is the paradigm of classical music – the diversity of its ideals, shapes, logic and intuition – mastered by the prominent figures in this area today who leave a distinct trace of their personality in every interpretation of classical heritage. Conductor Valery Gergiev and opera diva Violeta Urmana can be named as some of the central figures at this year’s festival. More

13.3.2009
For the first time, live on Mezzo TV channel from Vilnius: Michel Sogny Foundation Gala
On March 15th, 7 pm, the Lithuanian National Philharmonic invites to the gala concert of the young performers presented by the Michel Sogny Foundation SOS Talents. Seven pianists (10 to 19 years old) from Lithuania, Hungary, Georgia and Russia will appear both solo and with the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra under Robertas Šervenikas, with which they will perform classical piano concertos. This gala will be broadcasted live on the French international channel for classical and jazz music Mezzo TV, with subscribers in 39 countries. This project is part of the Vilnius - European Capital of Culture 2009 programme for European arts. More

6.3.2009
The 2nd International J.S.Bach Music Festival: From Toccata to Oratorio
The International J.S.Bach Music Festival evolved from the Bach Music Week that used to be organised nearly every spring. The programme of the festival concentrates on the creative heritage of the great German composer (as well as his sons). After a year’s break the festival will once again invite the listeners to the spaces of the Vilnius old town– Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELC) and the Museum of Applied Art (MAA) – from March 8th to April 13th. More

6.3.2009
Photo Exhibition from Austria: Joseph Haydn – musical topography
On February 25th, a photo exhibition Joseph Haydn – musical topography was opened at the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Hall. This touring exhibition is one of the events dedicated to Haydn anniversary year and was brought to Vilnius at the initiative of the Embassy of the Republic of Austria in Lithuania. The authors of the exhibition are photographer Manfred Horvath and Walter Reicher, who is responsible for the overall concept and and the accompanying texts. More

27.2.2009
The bridge of sounds between the 19th-century music and the 21st-century audiences
On February 28th, the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra under Robertas Šervenikas will share the stage with 20 year-old violinist Dalia Kuznecovaitė. A prize-winner at various international competitions and an increasingly sought-after performer on the international musical scene, the violinist from Vilnius spent several years studying and residing in Germany. This return concert is a rare opportunity to assess her talent in her homeland. Moreover, the audience at the Philharmonic Hall will be joined by the numerous Euroradio listeners during the live broadcast from the Main Auditorium. More

20.2.2009
Lidia Baich and Modestas Pitrėnas to present out-of-the-ordinary glimpses of Haydn
Born in St. Petersburg and now residing in Vienna, violinist Lidia Baich does not restrict herself to interpretations of classical masterpieces: she gladly participates in popular music projects targeted at mass audiences, appearing with the likes of Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and the legendary British rock band Deep Purple. On stage in Vilnius she will meet an energetic conductor Modestas Pitrėnas, whose is currently found in a vortex of popular TV projects and various stage productions. February 25th (Wednesday), at 7 pm, these two personalities will meet in the National Philharmonic Hall at a concert, commemorating the 200th death anniversary of Joseph Haydn. More

12.2.2009
Happy St. Valentine’s Day! – With Love from Mozart and Mendelssohn
To celebrate the Saint Valentine’s Day on February 14th, Saturday, at 7pm, the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra (LCO) and its new artistic director, distinguished violinist Sergej Krylov, will greet the audiences at the National Philharmonic Hall with the cheerful tones of Mozart’s symphonies and the loveliest gem of Mendelssohn’s music – his Violin Concerto. Violist Igor Naidin, a member of the Moscow’s famous Borodin Quartet, will join Sergej Krylov and the LCO in the performance of Mozart’s Sinfonia concertante. More

9.2.2009
‘The Piano Man’ Dang Thai Son back in Vilnius!
On February 11th (Wednesday), at 7pm, Dang Thai Son will perform the following pieces to the audience of the National Philharmonic Hall: Gabriel Fauré’s two nocturnes op. 33 and Maurice Ravel’s Miroirs, epitomizing the French tastes, style and aesthetics, as well as Frédéric Chopin’s Barcarolle, mazurkas op.17, op.33 and Scherzo in B flat minor. The latter pieces by the composer who flourished within the French cultural environment are especially close to Dang Thai Son, who is regarded an expert of Chopin interpretation. More

20.1.2009
Strengthening cooperation between the Baltic concert agencies
On 5 January 2009, the cooperation agreements have been signed between the leading Lithuanian and Latvian concert agencies, active in the sphere of classical music. Agreements were signed by Rūta Prusevičienė, Director General of the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society, Sergejus Vichrovas, Project Manager of the Kaunas State Philharmonic, Danutė Žičkuvienė, Director of the Klaipėda Concert Hall and Guntars Ķirsis, Member of the Board of the Latvian State Concert Agency. More

24.11.2008
One violinist show at the National Philharmonic Hall
A rare form of concert today, the violin recital, reminds of both an antiquated aristocratic genre and an original avant-garde position. It also balances between eccentricity (or acrobatics) and the high tension sound show. Violinist Sergei Krylov resolved to take a one man’s stand on stage: on November 26th, Wednesday, at 7 pm, he is going to present a retrospective of major violin works, ranging from Bach to Berio, at the National Philharmonic Hall. More

20.11.2008
A concert following the scenario by Chausson, Wieniawski and Duruflé
On November 22nd, the orchestral series of the National Philharmonic Hall presents romantic works for violin and orchestra by Ernest Chausson and Henryk Wieniawski and the famous Requiem by Maurice Duruflé. Featured in this programme are the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra under maestro Juozas Domarkas, the Kaunas State Choir and three young and promising soloists – Diana Galvydytė (violin), Jovita Vaškevičiūtė (mezzo-soprano) and Dainius Stumbras (baritone). More

13.11.2008
Dialogues of the clarinet and orchestra in Swedish and French
The orchestral series at the National Philharmonic Hall continues with the performance of French and Swedish music on November 15th. The Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra (LNSO) under Robertas Šervenikas will present to the audience the works by two French and two Swedish composers, while the solo part will be performed by the brilliant Swedish clarinettist and frequent guest in Lithuania – Håkan Rosengren. More

6.11.2008
The philharmonic orchestral series presents pianist Edvinas Minkštimas
This Saturday (November 8th, at 7 pm), the National Philharmonic presents pianist Edvinas Minkštimas – a performer, who has been currently residing overseas but has nevertheless remained true to his early inspirations, such as the world of Nordic poetry, Baltic mythology and other images of the Baltic region. At the orchestral concert in Vilnius, on November 8th, Edvinas Minkštimas, together with the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra under Modestas Pitrėnas, will perform the Third Piano Concerto by Béla Bartók, saturated with reflections of the Hungarian soundscapes. More

25.10.2008
String Quartet and the Piano, or 16 strings and 88 keys
“String Quartet and the Piano” – is a ‘16 strings and 88 keys’ series conceived by the Vilnius String Quartet, known for its numerous stylish programmes devoted to various themes. The current series, planned for nearly one year, summarises the four decades of the quartet’s concert career, during which it has performed numerous classical, romantic and modern piano quintets. This Sunday, October 26th, at 4 pm, the first refined conversations of the Quartet and the piano will take place at the Vilnius Museum of Applied Art, with the participation of ever adventurous pianists – Birutė Vainiūnaitė, Sonata Deveikytė-Zubovienė and Rokas Zubovas. More

15.10.2008
Philippe Giusiano to Give an All-Chopin Recital at the National Philharmonic Hall
Recitals at the National Philharmonic Hall represent a rare, yet very subtle form of dialogue between the performer and the listener. This half-year will present four such rare occasions, during which the listeners will meet pianists Philippe Giusiano, Ingolf Wunder and Guoda Gedvilaitė, as well as the violin virtuoso, Sergei Krylov. The recital series will start on October 18th, Saturday, at 7 pm, with the appearance of Philippe Giusiano, who has earned a reputation as an expert interpreter of piano works by Frédéric Chopin. It is also worth mentioning that the pianist chose an all-Chopin programme for his recital in Vilnius. More

12.10.2008
Deutsches Symphonie Orchester: Berlin – Vilnius
For more than 60 years, the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin has attracted top rank conductors throughout the world due its exceptional reputation earned in the vortex of epoch-making events, as well as its physical and intellectual prowess in cultivating the established traditions of German music performance. In collaboration with the Germany’s international broadcaster, Deutsche Welle, for several years the orchestra has been touring the capital cities of the new EU member countries. They have given performances in Sophia, Bucharest, Warsaw, Riga and now, on October 15th, Wednesday, at 7 pm – in Vilnius, at the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Hall. More

1.10.2008
The opening of the orchestral music season at the National Philharmonic Hall
On October 4th, the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra will give the season’s first concert and present a programme of works for orchestra and the trumpet. The concert will introduce two guest performers – the Belarusian-born Belgian trumpet player Andrei Kavalinski and the British conductor Nicholas Cleobury. The Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra will open its concert season on October 11th, with Christian Knapp (USA) conducting and Vadim Rudenko (Russia) performing the piano solo in Rachmaninov’s Third Piano Concerto. The concerts will start at a usual time, at 7 pm. More

26.9.2008
The Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society Opens its Concert Season 2008–2009
On October 4th, music will return to the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Hall at the opening concert of the new concert season ushered in by the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra and Belgian trumpet player Andrei Kavalinski under the baton of British conductor Nicholas Cleobury. The coming season will offer many exciting encounters with the local and international musicians as well as rewarding musical dialogues that extend further the programme of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue that is being carried out in 2008. More

4.9.2008
The Cultural Landscape of Torun to Be Presented in Lithuania
This weekend (September 7th, at 7 pm) the Torun Symphony Orchestra will give a performance at the Grand Hall of the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre in Vilnius. This concert is a result of collaboration between the Polish Institute in Vilnius and the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the Torun Symphony Orchestra will present the Vilnius audience with the cultural landscape of Torun. More

26.6.2008
Return to Forever to make the first stop of their European tour at the Vilnius Festival
The cult jazz rock band Return to Forever is back! Provoking improvisations, wild rhythmic groove and electrified mixture of jazz and rock – in the seventies this group was the pivot of jazz fusion movement. Chick Corea (keyboards), Stanley Clarke (bass guitar), Al DiMeola (guitar) and Lenny White (drums) have reunited after over 25 years and commence the 50 concert summer tour throughout North America and Europe. They make their first stop of the European tour at the Vilnius Festival with appearance on July 2nd, Wednesday, at 7pm, at the Utenos Arena. More

25.6.2008
Riffs, Rhythms and Vapour. The Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw to give their first performance in Vilnius
Set out on the international tour this year, the Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw will visit Vilnius, on June 26, and give a concert at the National Philharmonic Hall, as part of the Vilnius Festival 2008. More

20.6.2008
Box Office opening times during the Midsummer holidays
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16.6.2008
Mexican and Spanish music, without the intrigues of the soap operas
Boldly looking for the participants of the ‘intercultural dialogue’ in different continents, this year the Vilnius Festival has invited the Mexican Ensemble Cappella Cervantina to perform at the early music concert. The guests have prepared a programme The Vocal and Instrumental music of 16th-18th century Mexican and Spanish Composers, which encourages to restore one’s knowledge of the ancient Aztec and Maya cultures and of the Spanish folklore rugged with historical changes but always fresh as a spring-water. The Mexican ensemble Cappella Cervantina and their charismatic leader Horacio Franco will give a performance on June 18, Wednesday, at 7 pm at the National Philharmonic Hall. More

11.6.2008
The age-old theme to be revisited at the Vilnius Festival 2008
Over the past decade, the Lithuanian composer Onutė Narbutaitė started conquering the international audiences and winning both critical and public acclaim for her large-scale symphonic works. One such work, Tres Dei Matris Symphoniae, commissioned by the Musikfesttage an der Oder and premiered in 2004 in Frankfurt, became a true point of attraction, as did its repeat performance in Cracow two years later. This cycle of three symphonies had its Lithuanian premiere at the Gaida Festival 2004 and will return to the National Philharmonic Hall as part of the Vilnius Festival 2008 on June 14th, celebrated nationwide as the Day of Mourning and Hope. More

4.6.2008
The Vilnius Festival opens with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
On June 4th, at the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Hall, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra from London will perform an opening concert for one of Lithuania’s largest international classical music events – the Vilnius Festival. Its twelfth edition to be held from June 4 to July 2, 2008, in Vilnius is dedicated to the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue and presents a programme of 8 concerts, ranging from the magic sound art of the 16th–18th century Mexico and Spain to Dutch and American jazz. More

2.6.2008
Change of performers for the opening of the Vilnius Festival 2008!
Due to unforseeable circumstances a change of performers has occurred for the Opening Concert of the Vilnius Festival 2008. More

13.5.2008
The “German Cultural Spring” will come to the National Philharmonic Hall for the last time
On May 17, at 7 pm, the third and last classical music concert of the “German Cultural Spring” programme, organised by the German Embassy in Vilnius in cooperation with the local branch of the Goethe-Institut, will feature the appearances of two guest musicians from Germany at the National Philharmonic Hall. At the closing of its concert season the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra will be partnered by the young and very successful violinist of German and Japanese origin, Susanna Yoko Henkel, and conducted by an experienced musician who has been accustomed to controlling huge masses of sounds and performers, Rolf Beck. The programme will include works by Viennese classics Mozart and Haydn and a symphony by the Viennese romanticist Schubert. More

9.5.2008
The musical Planets Will Orbit the National Philharmonic Hall
On May 10, the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society and the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra under Juozas Domarkas invite the audience to the symphonic season’s closing concert, featuring the performances of Gustav Holst’s brilliantly instrumented and colourful Planets suite and Johannes Brahms’s Violin Concerto in D major. For the latter the Orchestra will be joined by the Hungarian violinist Antal Szalai, a distinguished young performer renowned for his outstanding technique and mature intelligence. More

6.5.2008
Vilnius Festival 2008: from the early music to jazz, or towards the intercultural dialogue
In the beginning of summer, from June 4th to July 2nd, the Lithuania's capital will host the Vilnius Festival for the 12th time. Seven concerts of this year's attractive programme, presented in association with the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, will take place at the National Philharmonic Hall. For its closing event, the Vilnius Festival will invite its audiences to the Utena Arena where the reunited jazz-rock band Return to Forever will launch its European tour. More

22.4.2008
Viennese traditions to be rendered by Georg Mark, Vilhelmas Čepinskis and Ūla Ulijona Žebriūnaitė
A year ago, the National Philharmonic Hall saw Georg Mark conduct Brahms’s Fourth Symphony. Saturday 26 April 2008, at 7 pm, he will return with the interpretation of Bruckner’s Seventh ready to be conducted at the pulpit of the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, along with Schubert’s Rosamunde Overture (Op.26) and Mozart’s Sinfonia concertante for violin, viola and orchestra in E flat major, KV 364. In the performance of the latter, the orchestra will be joined by two brilliant musicians: Vilhelmas Čepinskis, one of Lithuania’s prime violinists and the leader of the Camerata Klaipėda orchestra, and Ūla Ulijona Žebriūnaitė, the soloing violist with the Kremerata Baltica orchestra. More

10.4.2008
The Venetian genius, Antonio Vivaldi, to be celebrated at the National Philharmonic Hall
The Musica Humana ensemble is always compelling attention with its topical, historical and monographic music programmes. This time they will pay a tribute to the Venetian genius, Antonio Vivaldi, by performing eight of his works: from aria to cantata, with an emphasis on the flute concertos. The concert celebrating Vivaldi’s 330th birth anniversary will take place on Sunday, April 13th, 7 pm at the National Philharmonic Hall. More

5.4.2008
The National Philharmonic presents national cultures and beyond
Wednesday, April 9th, at the National Philharmonic Hall, the Čiurlionis Quartet and its colleagues from Poland, Kwartet Pomorski, will present their national schools and cultural symbols: the works by Onutė Narbutaitė and Karol Szymanowski. Saturday, April 12th, the Polish musical identity line will be further extended at the same hall, with Mirosław Błaszczyk’s interpretation of Witold Lutosławski’s Concerto for orchestra. The latter will converge with Mstislav Rostropovich’s school of string playing, which transcends the scope of Russian cultural heritage and becomes a phenomenon that soars beyond or above its realm. More

1.4.2008
Gabrielius Alekna and Modestas Pitrėnas will pay a tribute to their Alma mater
The orchestral concert on April 5th is dedicated to the 75th Anniversary of the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. Modestas Pitrėnas will substitute maestro Juozas Domarkas (the orchestra’s artistic director) at the conductor’s pulpit of the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, with whom Gabrielius Alekna will perform Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini for piano and orchestra, Op. 43. Both musicians are talented pupils of the Lithuanian musical Alma mater, who now bring its name to the audiences around the globe through their rising international careers. The evening’s programme will also include Alexander Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances and Jean Sibelius’s Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 43. More