Festival Closing Concert

"European Fantasy"
 

A special concert by two renowned Lithuanian artists - saxophone great Petras Vyšniauskas and pianist Aleksandra Žvirblytė - dedicated to the 20th anniversary of Lithuania's accession to the European Union.

The projects of these two musicians have already conquered the hearts of European music lovers in Lithuania.

Audiences and music critics alike admire the performers' supreme artistry,

unique artistic ideas, the intriguing fusion of masterpieces of classical music

with spontaneous improvisations, thoughts and

ideas born in the here and now.

The concert will feature original works and improvisations based on music from all 27 countries of the European Union.
 

Two worlds-classical and improvisational art. Two bright personalities coming from different worlds, playing and provoking to create a new fusion. A new music is born - unique and unexpectedly organic.
 

Petras Vyšniauskas :

"I'm not a sparrow, but I fly. I'm not a   Classic, but I've found, I've seen nothing looser and nothing finer. I felt. Time is running out, I want to take off again. "

Alexandra Žvirblytė:

"To play what you know well and at the same time not know where your imagination will take you. To let yourself be provoked and to provoke, to come to freedom of thought.A real artistic trance."

"The concert of Petr Vyšniauskas with pianist Aleksandra Žvirblytė was enchanting. The idea was simply incredible. The effect is breathtaking, not only because of the endless risk-taking, but also because the music is so delicate and intense that tears start to well up. An unforgettable concert.."

Emmanuel de Gouvello, France

"Lithuanian soprano saxophonist Petras Vyšniauskas is, in my opinion, one of the most original musicians focusing on this instrument - his vivid phrases are punctuated with decisively original intervals, and his sound is powerful - stronger and more precise than Sam Rivers, denser and more focused than Steve Lacy, maybe even polyphonic, like Evan Parker. "

Howard Mandel, New York, USA

"Alexandra Zvirblytė freely creates a sensual musical picture right there on stage. Her playing is not only technically perfect, but also spiritually rich, her excellent technique becomes only a means to express her own perception of the music."

Steen Sogaard. "Morgenavisen Jyllandspoeten, Denmark