The performance will include Brahms' Sonata for Cello and Piano No.2 in F major, Op.99
F. F. Poulenc Sonata for Cello and Piano FP143
It is not the first time that Simon and Rugilė appear as a duo. Having created exceptional concert programmes, this time the duo returns to the stage with two major gems from the cello and piano gold fund, two sonatas by Brahms and Poulenc, contrasting in musical language and character.
Simonas Poška was awarded 2nd prize and the special prize for the highest-placed Lithuanian at the 9th International M. K. Čiurlionis Piano Competition 2023. In March 2024, the pianist gave a concert in Paris with the Orchestre symphonique de la Garde républicaine (Symphony Orchestra of the French Guard of the Republic) in the presence of Presidents Emmanuel Macron and Gitanas Nausėda. Simonas has also performed with the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, Kaunas Symphony Orchestra, Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra, VMU Chamber Orchestra, St. Christopher Chamber Orchestra and the new European Chamber Orchestra (Orchestre de Chambre Nouvelle Europe).
Simonas was awarded by the President of the Republic of Lithuania Daliya Grybauskaite in 2018 for promoting the name of Lithuania in international competitions. In 2019, Vilnius City Municipality awarded the pianist the title of the Little St. The Vilnius Municipality received the 2018 Christopher Award for achievements in music. In 2018 - 2020, the performer was supported by the Rostropovich Charity and Support Foundation "Help for Lithuanian Children". From 2022 he is a scholarship holder of the Live Music Now Hannover Foundation. From 2008 to 2020 Simonas Poška studied at the National M. K. Čiurlionis School of Arts, in the piano class of Eglė Jurkevičiūtė-Navickienė, and from 2020 he is studying at the Hanover University of Music, Theatre and Media, in the piano class of Professor Roland Krüger. Since 2018, Simon has been under the tutelage of pianist Prof. Mūza Rubackytė.
Rugilė Juknevičiūtė is a 19-year old performer who has been recognized by the most famous music legends in Lithuania and abroad, such as Prof. D.Geringas, Prof. M. Rubackytė, I. Monighetti, and M. Maisky. Rugilė has already made over 30 appearances with various orchestras in Lithuania, Germany and Austria, and continues to be invited to perform with the St. Christopher's Orchestra of Vilnius City Municipality, the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Lithuania, the Klaipėda Chamber Orchestra, the National Orchestra of Lithuania, the M.K. Čiurlionis School of Arts, and the Kaunas Philharmonic Symphony Orchestras. Rugilė studied at the National M. K. Čiurlionis School of Arts from 2011 to 2023 in the class of D. Jakšto, from 2018 to 2022 she regularly studied with Prof. I. Monighetti in Basel, Switzerland, from 2021 she will also study with Prof. M. Zdunik in Warsaw, Poland, from 2021 she will study with Prof. M. Zdunik in Poland, from 2023 she will start her studies with Prof. Thomas Grossenbacher in the University of Arts in Zurich, Switzerland. From 2018 to 2023 she was a scholarship recipient of the Rostropovich Charity and Support Foundation "Help for Lithuanian Children". With her sister, violinist Lina Juknevičiūtė, she organises the annual Camino Lituano Music Festival.
