G. Enescu. Romanian Rhapsody No. 1 in A major, op. 11
A. Ginastera. Concerto for Harp, op. 25
P. Tchaikovsky. Symphony No. 4, op. 36
Due to her talent and mastership, the harpist Joana Daunytė is often called Lithuanian ambassador for the harp. She perfected her craft at the Geneva Academy of Music and the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. Daunytė was the first harpist in the history of the Norwegian Academy of Music to be admitted to prepare for the Soloist MA. She is the laureate of many international competitions, participant of various music festivals and winner of numerous foreign grants and appraisals. Daunytė’s precise performances on the regal instrument could be heard in the concert halls of Switzerland, France, Norway, Ireland, Germany, United Kingdom, Russia, the Netherlands, Spain, USA. Her wide musical scope is well-illustrated by a broad repertoire encompassing music for harp written in different epochs, also her constant seeking for new possibilities of expression, participation in projects of contemporary music as well as in the activities of a unique family ensemble “Regnum Musicale”. Presidents of the Republic of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus and Dalia Grybauskaitė awarded Joana with honourable mentions for musical achievements and proclamation of Lithuania abroad, she also received several awards of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania. On this evening the soloist will be performing the Concerto for Harp, op. 25 by Argentinian composer A. Ginastera (1916-1983), characterized by authentic dance rhythms, conveyed by the composer through contemporary language of music.
In the second part of the concert we shall hear P. Tchaikovsky’s (1840-1893) Symphony No. 4, presenting the eloquent “Fatum” motif – an echo of composer’s thoughts, feelings and experiences. “Never before have I worked so hard, or been so proud of my work”, – wrote Tchaikovsky.
On this evening the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra shall be led by Ričardas Šumila. Student of maestro Gintaras Rinkevičius, Šumila also studied the art of conducting in Vienna; at the same time, he was invited by Dalia Ibelhauptaitė to join the “Bohemians” theatre company – their collaboration is still going strong to this day. In 2014 Šumila was awarded the Young Artist prize at the Golden Cross of the Stage Awards.