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This concert brings together well-known Lithuanian pianists from different continents: the New York-based Gabrielius Alekna and the German-based Onutė Gražinytė. Their meeting promises a rare and unusual programme of masterpieces for two pianos. Visions de l’Amen (Visions of the Amen) by Olivier Messiaen, the foremost French composer of the 20th century, conveys the varied and profound riches of the word amen. Alongside this work of profound spiritual experience (movements of which are spread throughout the concert), the audience will hear a rarely performed version of the symphonic poem Miške (In the Forest) by Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis, transcribed for two pianos by legendary conductor Jonas Aleksa. The programme also includes Vytautas Bacevičius, a prominent 20th century Lithuanian expatriate composer and pianist, whose work is the core of Gabrielius Alekna’s performing and scholarly activity. “In my opinion, Bacevičius’ masterpieces, such as his Fourth concerto for piano and orchestra or his Septième mot (Seventh Word) for two pianos, can easily be compared to the world’s best music”, says the performer, who is recording already the third volume of Bacevičius’ piano works (Toccata Classics) and has recorded and released all four of Bacevičius’ Piano concertos (Naxos).

In Béla Bartók’s famous Sonata for two pianos and percussion, the piano duo will be joined by renowned percussionists Pavel Giunter and Guntars Freibergs. One of Bartók’s most interesting and expressive works, it was inspired by the music making and performing with his wife, pianist Ditta Pasztory, as well as by his desire to look at the piano in a different way – as a percussion instrument. The opus will allow audience to enjoy a rare dialogue and even a kind of rivalry between two pianists and two percussionists.