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French Music Masterpieces is a sonic combination of three different branches of musical impressionism laid out by V. Vanoosten, the principal guest conductor of the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra.

Vanoosten’s interpretations of French music have earned extremely high acclaim. This time the conductor will present them by joining forces with French cello virtuoso X. Phillips and a large group of well-known Lithuanian performers.

Debussy’s Nocturnes, a mystical masterpiece of musical imagery, will be followed by Dutilleux’s Cello concerto Tout un monde lointain..., one of the most important works of the 20th century cello repertoire. This musical paraphrase of Charles Baudelaire’s poetry was born out of Dutilleux’s close friendship with the renowned cello virtuoso Mstislav Rostropovich. It is said that the relationship between the two of them, which is embodied in the work, was so close that other cellists struggle to find original, distinctive interpretations.

Phillips said that he had searched for the connection with the Concerto Tout un monde lointain…for a long time, page by page, following Rostropovich’s references and the philosophy of humility to music that Phillips adopted from him. This work demands special concentration not only from the soloist, but also from every member of the orchestra and the listener. 

The concert will end with Fauré’s Requiem in D minor, a richly spiritual lullaby to death, which won the affection of the composer’s contemporaries. This peaceful, comforting work of reconciliation and liberation was also performed at Fauré’s own funeral.

Concert partner – French Institute in Lithuania