Čiurlionis Code I is the first of two dedications by the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society to Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis, and a celebration of the 150th birthday of the composer and artist. This momentous occasion will be marked by a geographical retrospective of Čiurlionis’ time, of which the composer himself was unaware. On 8 February, a programme of symphonic music, presented by Lithuanian performers and a guest from France, violinist Philippe Graffin, will feature works by Čiurlionis, as well as his contemporaries, the French Lili Boulanger and the British Samuel Coleridge-Taylor.

“The Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society welcomed its 84th season full of propitious concert plans, ideas for the development of relations with various cultural and diplomatic organisations, new ambitions for educational activities, and incentives to get involved in international cultural projects throughout Lithuania. One of them is the celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis, Lithuania’s classical figure and cultural ambassador to the world, the famous artist and composer. The National Philharmonic is offering a wide range of events for the audience to celebrate the occasion, from evenings of symphonic music to playful chamber concerts. The symphonic music programme Čiurlionis Code I, a concert full of unexpected connections dedicated to Čiurlionis, should be a meaningful addition to the rich programme of commemorative events,” says Rūta Prusevičienė, Director General of the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society.

In the concert dedicated to the Year of Čiurlionis, the Kaunas State Choir and the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Robertas Šervenikas, will perform one of the most beautiful works by M. K. Čiurlionis, the cantata De profundis (From the Depths). The composer based it on the 130th psalm.

Lili Boulanger based her work Du fond de l’abîme (From the Depths of the Abyss) on the same psalm. This unexpected parallel links the works by Lithuanian and French composers featured in the programme. Justina Gringytė, one of Lithuania’s most recognised soloists, will perform the solo part of Boulanger’s heart-rending composition for mezzo-soprano, choir and orchestra.

The works of another composer, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, known as the African Mahler, will enrich the musical panorama of Čiurlionis’ time with their own distinctive touches.  Coleridge-Taylor composed his Ballade for orchestra in A minor only a year before M.K. Čiurlionis wrote his De profundis. Alongside the Ballade the audience will be treated to one of the composer’s most mature works, the Concerto for violin and orchestra in G minor. Its solo part will be performed by the French violinist Philippe Graffin, praised for his particularly skilful and subtle interpretations.

The concert Čiurlionis Code I. LNSO, Kaunas State Choir, Robertas Šervenikas, Philippe Graffin will take place on Saturday, 8 February at 19.00 at the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Concert Hall. For full information on the concerts of the 84th LNPhS season, please visit www.nationalphilharmonic.lt LNPhS 84th concert season is sponsored by NORFA.

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