The Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society (LNPhS) is kicking off its 86th concert season with sold-out concerts and urges the music lovers not to miss the exciting events, anniversaries, premieres and intriguing programmes organised in collaboration with various partners that lie ahead until 2027. “As we prepare for 2027, the year of Lithuania’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, this half-year will serve as a symbolic springboard for major cultural events, and we have put together a concert program that will undoubtedly enrich the Lithuanian audience’s musical experience,” says Rūta Prusevičienė, Director General of the LNPhS.

“Together with the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra (LNSO), we treat every programme as a distinct cultural event. To enjoy the widest possible range of experiences and truly immerse yourself in the depths of symphonic music, I urge you not to limit yourself to just one concert, but to choose at least a few. This half-year promises many enriching encounters with soloists and conductors who have already become the orchestra’s partners, as well as new global stars, so there will be plenty to choose from,” says Modestas Pitrėnas, artistic director and principal conductor of the LNSO, as he presents the new season.

There will be no shortage of fascinating performances, not only from the LNSO but also from other National Philharmonic resident ensembles – the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra (LCO), the Vilnius String Quartet, the Čiurlionis Quartet and the Musica Humana ensemble – as well as appearances of various Lithuanian and international musicians, organised both by the National Philharmonic itself and by its partners.

The start of the 86th season

The National Philharmonic’s 86th concert season was symbolically launched on 5 September with the opening concert of the 5th International Joseph Achron Music Festival, at which the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra (LNSO) was led by Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, a conductor who dazzles audiences around the world, with the ensemble Duettissimo (violinist Dalia Dėdinskaitė and cellist Gleb Pyšniak) performing as soloists. Alongside works by Achron and Mieczysław Weinberg, the programme featured a new opus by Žibuoklė Martinaitytė, Šviesos adata (Needle of Light), for violin, cello and symphony orchestra.

On 19 September, in the packed Lithuanian National Philharmonic Concert Hall, the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra (LCO) and its conductor, soloist Sergej Krylov (violin), were greeted with thunderous applause as they opened their 66th season. On 20 September, the Chamber Hall’s concert season began, featuring performances by the Vilnius String Quartet and the pianists Kaja Kašubaitė and Klėja Kašubaitė. On 23 September, the American virtuoso pianist Maxim Lando gave a recital to mark the birthday of Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis.

The highlight of the National Philharmonic’s season opener on 26 September will be the celebration of the 90th birthday of maestro Juozas Domarkas, the previous head of the LNSO. One of the most renowned Lithuanian conductors, of particular importance to Lithuanian musical culture, and an exceptionally experienced and influential teacher of conducting, he served as the LNSO’s artistic director and principal conductor for no fewer than 51 years. The LNSO’s celebratory programme will be conducted by the maestro’s pupil, Modestas Pitrėnas. One of Lithuania’s most renowned pianists, Mūza Rubackytė, will also be in attendance to congratulate the maestro and pay tribute to his significant musical career; she will solo in Ferenc Liszt’s Second concerto for piano and orchestra. The evening’s programme will also feature monumental works by Liszt’s contemporaries – Richard Wagner and Antonín Dvořák.

Season’s anniversaries and commemorations

The celebratory spirit marking the start of the season will also be felt at other concerts – these will provide opportunities to congratulate other musicians celebrating significant anniversaries: maestro David Geringas (the concert Fete with “Grand Trio Vilnius” on 27 December), cellist Saulius Lipčius, a luminary of a musical dynasty (the concert Čiurlionis Quartet Family on 15 November), pianist Aleksandra Žvirblytė (LNSO concert Musical Bridges on 3 October), the piano trio FortVio (LNSO concert at the Gaida festival on 16 October), the Kaunas String Quartet (Lithuania and the World on 29 November) and others.

Anniversaries of various composers will also be celebrated, one of the most notable being the 150th anniversary of the birth of the Spanish composer Manuel de Falla. On 18 October, guests from Spain will present the programme Falla Imaginado – a project by pianist and composer Moisés P. Sánchez, which offers a contemporary reinterpretation of Falla’s works and combines tradition with a free, modern vision.

Encounters, premieres, collaborations

The dynamic series of spectacular performances that marks the start of September will continue throughout the season. “On 3 October, we will welcome Yaroslav Shemet to the LNSO’s conductor’s podium. The maestro with Lithuanian roots was born in Ukraine and is based in Poland. On 10 October, cello virtuoso Maximilian Hornung will perform with the LNSO for the second time, this time presenting Richard Strauss’ iconic work Don Quixote. The orchestra will be conducted by principal guest conductor Victorien Vanoosten, with whom the orchestra intends to extend its collaboration agreement for a further five years from autumn 2027. On 11 October, Italian pianist Fabio Romano, winner of the international Music Without Borders competition, will take the audience on a journey through Baroque music with Musica humana ensemble. In collaboration with the Gaida festival, the National Philharmonic will host world-class stars such as violinists Ilya Gringolts (16 October), Leila Josefowich (22 October), Akiko Suwanai (29 October) and others. The concert programmes will also feature premieres of contemporary music. In the Gaida festival’s opening concert, the LNSO, conducted by Pitrėnas, and the FortVio trio will perform a unique work by Kristupas Bubnelis for piano trio and orchestra, commissioned by the trio itself. On 14 November, the National Philharmonic will welcome two outstanding musicians, both winners of international competitions – conductor and viola virtuoso Samuel Lee and Spanish violinist Javier Comesaña Barrera, who is well acquainted by Lithuanian audiences. On 21 November, the concert featuring the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra (LCO), conducted by Pitrėnas, will showcase the countertenor Maayan Licht, who fascinates with his vocal and acting talents. On 28 November, at the closing concert of the Čiurlionis Music Festival, the LNSO and conductor Pitrėnas will be joined by Duo Andersson: violinist Julija Andersson and pianist Paulius Andersson, whilst the premiere of a work by Dominykas Digimas will be a crowning moment of the programme,” says R. Prusevičienė, presenting the highlights of the autumn concert season.

December is set to be a busy month musically as well. On 5 December, the LCO concert, conducted by Karolis Variakojis and featuring the Bazaras brothers on piano, will include, amongst other things, the premiere of a work by Antanas Kučinskas commissioned by the LNPhS. On 19 December, the LNSO, conducted by Pitrėnas and featuring pianist Artūras Anusauskas, will invite the audience to embark on a journey to America to the rhythm of jazz. On 20 December, to mark Ludwig van Beethoven’s birthday, pianist Daumantas Kirilauskas will offer the composer’s piano sonatas. Vibrant and cheerful festive events are also planned throughout the Christmas season, whilst the National Philharmonic’s musical year 2026 will be traditionally rounded off by the LNSO’s Symphonic Fireworks for the New Year, conducted by Pitrėnas.

“It is impossible to list all of the nearly fifty concerts scheduled for this half-year. We strive to maintain a diverse range of genres in our repertoire, to cater to the needs of our regular audience and to attract as many new listeners as possible. We particularly invite children, school pupils and families to our Sunday Family Series educational concerts, and those who have never been to the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society before to the educational tours organised here. We are grateful to our various partners, festivals and our loyal patron, the Norfa retail chain, for their willing cooperation, which enables us to maintain a steady pulse of the concert season. “The significant contribution of like-minded people allows us to look to the future with far greater creativity,” says Ieva Tamutytė, Deputy Director of the LNPhS.

For the full September–December program of the LNPhS 86th season please visit www.nationalphilharmonic.lt  We invite you to take advantage of this season’s season ticket offer and look forward to seeing you at the concerts! LNPhS 86th concert season is sponsored by NORFA.

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