The Lithuanian National Philharmonic Concert Hall has been immersed in a festive atmosphere for some time now, heralding the arrival of Christmas. Soon it will be filled with traditional Christmas carols and music emanating joy of Christmas. On December 21–31, the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society will host a series of Christmas concerts featuring a wide variety of music, from Christmas carols and vibrant classical opuses to a jazz cocktail with Zappa.

The series of festive concerts will begin on December 21 at 12.00 with Ąžuoliukas concert, a tradition that has been carried-on for many years. This concert will bring together three Lithuanian boys’ and youth choirs, Ąžuoliukas, Varpelis, and Gintarėlis, and they will be joined by their friends. The programme will feature Italian Baroque composer Antonio Vivaldi’s Gloria, a joyful hymn of praise consisting of twelve short, contrasting movements.

On December 21 at 19.00, the ever-youthful Čiurlionis Quartet, delighting audiences with its diverse repertoire, unexpected stage partners, and intriguing combinations of instruments, will take to the stage of the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Concert Hall. This time, the Quartet will be joined by the unique accordion and double bass duo DYAD from Belgium, involving Didier Laloy and Adrien Tyberghein. In its compositions, the duo creates innovative alchemy, ingeniously combining classical, traditional, and popular music. The driving force behind the duo’s programmes is percussive rhythms, sharp riffs, and bursting accordion motifs, combined with an electric double bass that exploits all its sonic possibilities. The programme will feature compositions by Didier Laloy and Adrien Tyberghein. 

On December 27 at 19.00, the audience will be treated to Christmas with the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra (LCO) and Sergej Krylov. In their traditional concert, the LCO and its artistic director, violinist and conductor Krylov will invoke the Christmas spirit with the virtuoso Rondo in A major, composed by the 19-year-old Franz Schubert, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Serenade for strings Eine kleine Nachtmusik, which is particularly popular with audiences. The concert will also feature works by Fritz Kreisler, one of the world’s most famous violinists. The LCO and Sergej Krylov will perform Kreisler’s pieces imbued with the spirit of late 19th- and early 20th-century musical Vienna.

The Lithuanian Symphonic Wind Orchestra (LSWO) is also getting ready for Christmas at the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Concert Hall. The LSWO is inviting everyone to see the year off with a new and intriguing programme, Jazz Cocktail with Zappa, on December 28 at 19.00. This time, the Orchestra, conductor Karolis Variakojis, and renowned jazz pianist Dmitrij Golovanov will pay tribute to the exceptional American musician Frank Zappa and take the audience to the world of jazz and alternative rock. The LSWO has decided to develop a programme that combines both original compositions by Zappa, arranged for a symphonic wind orchestra, and jazz and avant-garde music opuses. Alongside Zappa’s works, the concert programme will feature American composer Dana Wilson’s vibrant Concerto for jazz piano and wind orchestra. 

Those who have ever heard the famous vocal ensemble The Queen’s Six perform will undoubtedly flock to this royal sextet’s concert on December 29 at 19.00. The Queen’s Six involves six members of the Choir of St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. They will present the programme Royal Christmas featuring Christmas carols from various periods and their arrangements for a cappella ensemble, including well-known melodies popular with the audience and sung during the Christmas season, such as Jingle Bells and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.

The Christmas Music Week will culminate in New Year concerts. On December 30 and 31 at 19.00, the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra and its conductor, maestro Modestas Pitrėnas, will invite audience to Symphonic Fireworks for the New Year at the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Concert Hall. Viktorija Miškūnaitė (soprano), dubbed the shining diamond, and Jurgis Jarašius, one of the most promising tenors of the younger generation, will perform solo with the orchestra. The programme will feature cheerful symphonic miniatures and the most mellifluous arias from operas and operettas. On December 31 at 18.00 and 20.00 at St. Johns’ Church, the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra and its artistic director, conductor and violinist Sergej Krylov will perform Johann Sebastian Bach’s Concertos for violin and orchestra and Joseph Haydn’s Symphony No. 45 in F-sharp minor (Abschied (Farewell)). The latter opus has become an integral part of the LCO’s seeing off the old year; thus, the New Year’s concert is called Farewell Symphony. On December 31 at 19.00, the Vilna Gaon Museum of Jewish History will host New Year Eve with Vilnius String Quartet, which promises a meeting with the Quartet’s friends, pianist Guoda Gedvilaitė and double bassist Donatas Bagurskas. They will ring out the old year by performing Franz Schubert’s subtle Forellenquintett (Trout Quintet). The programme also features Joseph Haydn’s cheerful and festive String quartet in C major, Hob. III:77, also known as Emperor.

For the full program of the LNPhS 85th season please visit www.nationalphilharmonic.lt  We invite you to take advantage of this season’s subscription and look forward to seeing you at our concerts! LNPhS 85th concert season is sponsored by NORFA.

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