Musica humana

The Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society’s  Musica humana Chamber Ensemble was founded in 1974. Its concerts were among the first signs of the revival of historical performance of early music in Lithuania.

Musica Humana’s repertoire comprises monumental concert series: Early Instrumental and Vocal Music of Europe; Baroque Route; Antonio Vivaldi, the Venetian Genius; J. S. Bach and the 20th-Century Music; J. S. Bach and Lithuanian Music; French Music: from Renaissance to Present Day; Visions of the Artists and Composers; Musica Humana Juventus as well as concert series celebrating Mozart’s 250th anniversary. Some of them are continuous and have become traditional such as the cycle focusing on the links between music and art, and the Ensemble’s collaboration with young performers and composers.

The contemporary Lithuanian composers have written chamber opuses for Musica Humana. O. Balakauskas’ Suite of Dances and Duetti concertanti, B. Kutavičius’ Kampf der Bäume  and A. Martinaitis’ Cantus ad futurum have become the true hallmarks of the Ensemble.

For some concert programmes the Ensemble invites renowned Lithuanian and foreign soloists, as well as choirs Polifonija, Jauna muzika, Vilnius and Aukuras. The Ensemble’s line-up may vary from the core basso continuo ensemble of four players to an orchestra. Musica Humana Orchestra has been the resident ensemble of the Curonian Spit Summer Festival (since 1999), the International J. S. Bach Music Festival (since 2007) and Varėna District Music Festival With Saint Theophilus. Musica Humana has committed quite a number of works by Lithuanian composers and the Baroque masterpieces to CDs.     

In December 2018, Prof. Algirdas Vizgirda, a long-time artistic director of Musica Humana, was replaced by Prof. Dr. Robertas Beinaris.