To mark the 55th anniversary of “Vilnius” State Choir

Performers:
VILNIUS State Choir
(artistic director and principal conductor Artūras Dambrauskas)
LITHUANIAN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
(artistic director and conductor Sergej Krylov)
ASTA KRIKŠČIŪNAITĖ (soprano)
VINCENZO DE MARTINO (piano)
Conductors: ARTŪRAS DAMBRAUSKAS, GIEDRIUS PAVILIONIS

Programme:
JAMES MACMILLAN – Cantata Seven Last Words from the Cross for choir and string orchestra
TEISUTIS MAKAČINAS – Saulės poema (Poem of the Sun) for soprano, mixed choir and orchestra
STEVE DOBROGOSZ – Mass

For 55 years, Vilnius State Choir has been shaping the vibrant history of Lithuanian choral music, from major opuses of the world’s canon repertoire to inspiring Lithuanian premieres. The Choir is known for its artistically eloquent sound, creative openness, and ability to combine different musical traditions into a coherent artistic whole. Over the years, the Choir has developed an idiosyncratic musical style that combines professionalism, creative insight, and consistent attention to Lithuanian composers. Vilnius nurtures a strong tradition of sacred music, while constantly expanding its repertoire by presenting works by contemporary composers and international collaborative projects.

The jubilee programme reflects the Choir’s important artistic directions: contemporary sacred music, the Lithuanian tradition of poetic music, and a wide range of international choral music. Vilnius will share the stage with the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra, its close creative partner for many years. Scottish composer James MacMillan’s Seven Last Words from the Cross is saturated with intense emotional and spiritual tension; Teisutis Makačinas’ Saulės poema (Poem of the Sun, lyrics by Marcelijus Martinaitis) is cocooned in the lyrical, sunlit and poetical mood. The programme will also feature American composer Steve Dobrogosz’s Mass, a contemporary and sensitive approach to the mass genre.

This concert combines tradition and new directions, esteem for the Choir’s experience and anticipation of the coming decades – with the same artistic courage and respect for music that have been the ensemble’s intrinsic features since its inception. We invite you to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the Vilnius Choir and be part of an exceptional evening at the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society.

Vilnius State Choir Information