Organ duet recital for the birthday of M.K. Ciurlionis

“Ciurlionis is illuminated with other colors as we simulate the symphony orchestra with glowing organ sounds with four hands and feet, while the acoustics of the church create a mystical atmosphere. We wanted to celebrate his birthday with a special program of Lithuanian composers,” says Ausra.

On Saturday, September 21st. at 6 pm organ lovers of organ music are invited to the concert of our organ duo at Vilnius University St. John's Church.

The concert program will feature organ duet arrangements of the symphonic poem "In the Forest" by M.K. Ciurlionis, "Reverie" by Juozas Naujalis and 4 Lithuanian folk songs by Kristina Vasiliauskaite. The organists will also play organ duet compositions "The Sounds of the Forest by K. Vasiliauskaite, Sonata "Ad patres" by Bronius Kutavicius, Fantasy on M.K. Ciurlionis' Themes, Op. 11a and Veni Creator Spiritus, Op. 3a by Vidas Pinkevicius.

"Many of the pieces in our program are related to Ciurlionis in one way or another - B. Kutavičius' sonata "Ad patres" is based on Funeral Symphony series of paintings by Ciurlionis, and my fantasy was born of Ciurlionis' piano prelude," says Vidas.

“When I was looking for the works of Lithuanian composers for two organists at the Lithuanian Music Information Center, I had to look through the whole catalog, but only found the piece "Forest sounds". Although this is quite an early composition by K. Vasiliauskaite, it is very dear to us," continues Vidas.

“Without a doubt, listeners will be able to imagine the orchestra in our Ciurlionis' symphonic poem "In the Forest" but we will also give it a distinctive color that we have already tested this summer at the International Organ Festival in Svendborg, Denmark. I am sure that the great organ at VU St John's Church will help," says Ausra.

This event is part of the cycle “Musical Hour at VU St. John's Church ”. The organizers of the cycle aim to introduce listeners to the King of Musical Instruments with more than 2000 years history, the largest pipe organ in Lithuania, to reveal the beauty and extremely wide possibilities of this instrument.