On  March 15, the audience will be presented with the programme Čiurlionis Code II, the second of two dedications by the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society (LNPhS) to Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis and a celebration of the 150th birthday of the composer and artist. This time, this momentous occasion will be marked by an impressive orchestral music programme conducted by Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, with startling connections to Čiurlionis, not only musical but also visual. The programme will be performed by the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra and Trio Agora.

The first thing that draws the attention in the programme is the theme of the sea. The concert will open with the 20th century English music classic Benjamin Britten’s Four Sea Interludes from his successful and acclaimed opera Peter Grimes, which, like M. K. Čiurlionis’ symphonic poem The Sea, convey a dynamic picture of the sea, in which calmness is followed by the restless and turbulent musical personification of a mysterious and ominous sea. Both composers have included the harp in their scores, helping to create a suggestive impression of the swell of the sea.

“When discussing the programme of this concert, Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, who will conduct the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra on 15 March, first of all expressed her wish to conduct The Sea, and she chose the first version of the symphonic poem, composed by Čiurlionis himself. Therefore, this time there will not be any of the additions and alterations made after the composer’s death that we are used to. Britten’s Four Sea Interludes will artfully resonate with the theme of the sea. It is worth reminding, that when she led the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, M. Gražinytė performed both The Sea and Britten’s music, so she has beautifully linked these two composers in the programme,” Rūta Prusevičienė, the Director General of the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society, recalls on the origins of the Čiurlionian programme in the repertoire of the National Philharmonic 84th season.

The concert will also feature Canadian-American composer Joel Hoffman’s Self-Portrait with Čiurlionis, written especially for Trio Agora. The musical aspect of this work for clarinet, cello, piano and orchestra will be complemented by the visual aspect – music will be accompanied by video projections of M. K. Čiurlionis’ paintings.

“This will be perhaps the most striking premiere of the LNPhS’ current season. The work was proposed for the concert by Trio Agora. This international trio involves Žilvinas Brazauskas (clarinet), Natania Hoffman (cello) and Robertas Lozinskis (piano) – three charismatic musicians, winners of various prestigious international competitions, regularly performing in European concert halls, but not forgetting Lithuania either. Hoffman’s Self-Portrait with Čiurlionis will be complemented by video projections of Čiurlionis’ paintings that inspired the work”, Prusevičienė presents the part of the programme the synthesis of arts of which aptly presents Čiurlionis.

The concert Čiurlionis Code II. LNSO, Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla and Trio Agora will take place on Saturday, 15 March at 19.00 at the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Concert Hall. For full information on the concerts of the LNPhS 84th season, please visit www.nationalphilharmonic.lt  LNPhS 84th concert season is sponsored by NORFA.

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