When a huge symphony orchestra is seated on stage, the audience can often only see those sitting in the front rows or playing solo episodes. To help the audience get to know the orchestra’s musicians better, the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society traditionally hosts a programme Orchestra Zoomed In at the beginning of the year. The Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra (LNSO) invites the listeners to get to know the Orchestra better. This year’s concert will take place on 25 January.
The annual LNSO feast, which has become a wonderful tradition, is akin a musical introduction of the orchestra. It is probably the only day of the year when the members of this orchestra take to the stage of the Philharmonic Concert Hall as soloists or even composers. A whole host of talented performers are on stage to demonstrate their skills as soloists with the orchestra.
It’s no secret that playing in the LNSO is a dream of many Lithuanian musicians. The orchestra, which has been in existence since 1940, has fine traditions and vast concert experience, collaborates with the best Lithuanian and foreign soloists and conductors, is admired for a warm and creative atmosphere and opportunities for the orchestra members to excel not only by playing in the orchestra, but also by performing independently. Orchestra Zoomed In is one of the opportunities where those who dream of showcasing their artistry or creative potential can do so.
What makes this programme so interesting and unique is that many rarely performed works are presented or even premiered. Orchestra members, from string players to wind players, from the first violin section to the bass section, perform solo accompanied by their colleagues under the baton of the orchestra’s artistic director and principal conductor Modestas Pitrėnas.
The traditional LNSO concert will feature a dozen orchestra members playing solo. Sigitas Gailius and Andrius Rekašius (percussion), Andrius Žiūra (clarinet), Giedrius Gelgotas (flute), Albinas Gražulis (trombone), Lina Miniutė-Maniušienė (violin), Gaudas Paulius Krištaponis (cello), Joana Daunytė (harp) and Viktoras Palejus (oboe) will rise from their traditional seats and shine up in front of the audience.
The orchestra members will showcase their mastery in performing interesting, rarely heard scores, from Avner Dorman’s Concerto for two percussionists and orchestra, mvt. 1 Spices, to Antonio Pasculli’s Simpatici ricordi della “Traviata” (Fond Memories of La Traviata) for oboe and orchestra. The programme also includes works by foreign composers Carl Nielsen, Edward Elgar, David Popper and Camille Saint-Saëns, as well as Lithuanian opuses – Concerto for flute and orchestra in F major by Benjaminas Gorbulskis and Belmont Toccata in Blues for trombone and symphony orchestra by Artūras Mikoliūnas. The latter work will receive its premiere and will be a highlight of the concert, as it will be the bassoonist of the LNSO introducing himself as a composer.
The concert Orchestra Zoomed In. LNSO, Modestas Pitrėnas will take place on Saturday, 25 January at 19.00 in the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Concert Hall. For more information on the concerts of the 84th LNPhS season, please visit www.nationalphilharmonic.lt We invite you to take advantage of the season tickets offered this season and look forward to seeing you at the concerts! LNPhS 84th concert season is sponsored by NORFA.
LNPhS inf.
