In Holst’s Orbit

To mark Gustav Holst’s 150th anniversary

Performers:
LITHUANIAN WIND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
(principal conductor Karolis Variakojis)
Soloist CONSTANTIN HARTWIG (tuba, Germany)
With the participation of WOMEN OF THE LMTA CHOIR
(artistic director Gintautas Venislovas)
Conductor MARTYNAS STAŠKUS

Programme:
RICHARD STRAUSS – Introduction to Also sprach Zarathustra (arranged by R. Mark Rogers)
GUSTAV HOLST – Suite for wind orchestra in E flat major, Op. 28 No. 1, H. 105
EDWARD ELGAR – Nimrod from the Enigma Variations (arranged by Frank Cessarini)
JOHN WILLIAMS – Concerto for tuba and wind orchestra (arranged by Paul Lavender)
GUSTAV HOLST – Suite The Planets, Op. 32, H. 125 (arranged by Merlin Patterson)

The Lithuanian Symphony Wind Orchestra, a modern and versatile ensemble, performs music of various genres and styles, presents intriguing thematic programmes, and appears with renowned Lithuanian and foreign soloists. This time the Orchestra invites the audience to travel the orbit of Gustav Holst! The concert is dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the founder of academic orchestral wind music, English composer Holst. Holst was active in development of the traditions of late romanticism and early modernism and was a major influence on contemporary film music. The programme will feature not only Holst’s best-known works, the First suite for wind orchestra in E flat major (1909, one of the first original concert works for such an ensemble) and the spectacular suite The Planets (1917), but also music by other composers gravitating towards Holst’s stylistic orbit. In this concert, the great Richard Strauss or Edward Elgar will emerge in a completely different colour.

An appearance of virtuoso tuba soloist is one of the very rare events on stage. The Concerto for tuba and wind orchestra by the famous contemporary American composer John Williams (composer of the famous music for Schindler’s List) will be performed by German tuba player Constantin Hartwig. He is a laureate of the International Aeolus Competition for Wind Instruments and has appeared as a soloist with orchestras all over Europe, performing at venues such as the Gewandhaus in Leipzig, the Tonhalle in Düsseldorf, the Royal Albert Hall and others. He is also a chamber musician, collaborating with Trio 21meter60, the LJO-Brass Quintet, and is a regular member of German Brass, Ludwig Güttler Brass Ensemble and Salaputia Brass.

Organizer –  Lithuanian Symphony Wind Orchestra