Vilnius festival. Maestra Mūza Rubackytė. Vilnius to Venice

Performers:
MŪZA RUBACKYTĖ (piano; Lithuania, France, Switzerland)

Programme:
LEOPOLD GODOWSKY – Sonata in E minor, 1st mvt. – Allegro non troppo, ma appassionato
MIKALOJUS KONSTANTINAS ČIURLIONIS – Preludes: D minor (VL 239), D minor (VL 294, Ruduo/Autumn), F minor (VL 197); Nocturnes: C sharp minor (VL 183), F sharp minor (VL 178)
FERENC LISZT – Venezia e Napoli (Venice & Naples), S. 162
RAMINTA ŠERKŠNYTĖ – Pasakalija (Passacaglia) for piano
FERENC LISZT – Sonata in B minor, S. 178

A prominent ambassador of the piano art in the world, pianist Mūza Rubackytė bases the programme of the recital on some of the most successful examples of her performance art. First and foremost, the works of Ferenc Liszt, that have accompanied the pianist throughout her life. Named “one of the best living Liszt performers” by Fanfare magazine (USA), Rubackytė is a member of the office of the International Liszt Associations (ILA), president of the LiSZtuania Society and of the Lisztofonija Competition, and a long-standing jury member of the international Ferenc Liszt piano competitions. In 2020, the Liszt Association awarded the 41st Liszt Ferenc International Grand Prix Du Disque to Rubackytė for her CD De la valse á labime (Lyrinx) as the best recording of Liszt’s music of the year, and in 2024, in Vilnius, the President of Hungary decorated pianist Mūza Rubackytė with the Knight’s Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit.

Over the last few years, Rubackytė has also been spreading the music of Leopold Godowsky, recently discovered Litvak composer, around the world. His Sonata in E minor (with works by Karol Szymanowski), recorded on CD (Godowsky / Szymanowski, Ligia label), won the Diapason d’Or, the most important international prize in France, as well as the most prestigious prize of the audience, the ffff Event (Télérama).

Another highlight of Rubackytė’s repertoire is the works of Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis and promulgation of his legacy in the world. The pianist’s double album, released on the prestigious Marco Polo/Naxos label in 1993, was the first presentation of Čiurlionis’ music of such importance in the West. This album is still very popular today and is constantly reissued. In addition, thanks to the efforts of Rubackytė, the International M. K. Čiurlionis Piano and Organ Competition became a member of the international WFMC. On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the genius’ birth, the pianist’s recital will feature his preludes and nocturnes. Raminta Šerkšnytė’s Pasakalija (Passacaglia) will add a contemporary Lithuanian touch. Last autumn, Rubackytė performed this work several times during the Lithuanian season in France. 

Organizers of the Festival: Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society, PI “Vilniaus festivaliai”

Sponsors of the Festival: Vilnius City Municipality, Juozas and Laima Magelinskai, “Artis Centrum Hotels”