Song of the Soul

Petras Vyšniauskas, a recipient of the Lithuanian National Prize for Culture and Arts, is one of Lithuania’s most prominent musicians, whose creative journey has consistently crossed the boundaries between different musical worlds. A jazz saxophonist, improviser, composer, and advocate of Lithuanian musical traditions, he has spent decades developing a distinctive musical language where improvisation, classical music, jazz, and folklore come together. One evening, his saxophone may blend with the melody of a folk song; another, it may resonate alongside world-renowned jazz masters or a symphony orchestra. His sound combines energy, lyricism, and the ability to transform every musical phrase into a unique story.

In the programme Soul Song, Vyšniauskas’s creative freedom unfolds alongside composers whose music is also defined by a distinctive artistic voice. The pulse of Ástor Piazzolla’s tango, the Nordic jazz colours of Jan Magne Førde, and the spirit of South African music embedded in the melodies of Abdullah Ibrahim come together in a unified musical narrative, where each work becomes a unique soul song — a wordless story.

The musical dialogue between the Klaipėda Brass Quintet and Petras Vyšniauskas will bring new timbral colours to the programme. The combination of saxophone and brass instruments offers a fresh perspective on familiar works, while the freedom of improvisation and the energy created by the performers in the moment transform each piece into an unrepeatable musical experience.