CONCERT PROGRAMME
Giedrius Kuprevičius. Viola Concerto My Three States of Mind (world premiere)
Max Bruch. Double Concerto for Violin and Viola, Op. 88
Felix Mendelssohn. Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op. 90 (Italian Symphony)
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On a lovely spring evening the strings will reign at the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. The concert offers a unique opportunity to enjoy Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra and solo performance of its two concertmasters, the charismatic violinist Zbignev Levicki and violist, the founder and member of the Vilnius Arsenal Chamber Ensemble, Rolandas Romoslauskas.
The first part of the concert presents the world premiere of My Three States of Mind, Concerto for Viola and Orchestra by Giedrius Kuprevičius (b. 1944). Employing modern viola techniques, the composer plays with orchestral timbres and rhythmic patterns to convey three different moods: wandering, anxiety and peace. Double Concerto for Violin and Viola, Op. 88, by the German Romantic composer Max Bruch (1838–1920) will follow.
The second part of the concert will feature Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra playing Italian Symphony composed by Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847) under the inspiration of his Italian journey. "This is Italy! And now has begun what I have always thought to be the supreme joy in life. The Italian Symphony is making great progress. It will be the jolliest piece I have ever done," wrote Mendelssohn to his sister.
The musicians tonight come together under the baton of maestro Robertas Šervenikas, numbered among the leading Lithuanian conductors of his generation. A National Prize winner, the artist is highly regarded for his extensive and versatile creative activities ranging from the first performances of large-scale symphonic compositions by Lithuanian composers to distinctive and mature interpretations of contemporary and classical repertoire. In 2008, Šervenikas was appointed the Music Director of the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre. He also regularly appears as a guest conductor at the Bavarian State Opera.