The concert dedicated to S. Reich’s 90th anniversary will also take place in Lithuania: on October 27 at the National Philharmonic, some of the most prominent works of this composer will be performed, featuring the most renowned percussionists from Latvia and Lithuania Guntars Freibergs, Edgars Zaurs, Pavel Giunter, Sigitas Gailius, as well as acclaimed pianists Paulius Andersson and Rihards Plešanovs.
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“There are only a few living composers who can rightfully claim to have changed the course of music history – Steve Reich is one of them,” wrote The Guardian. The New Yorker called him “the most original musical thinker of our time,” and The New York Times described him as “one of the great composers of this century.”
Since the seventies, S. Reich’s works such as “It’s Gonna Rain,” “Drumming,” “Music for 18 Musicians,” “Tehillim,” “Different Trains,” and many others have contributed to the formation of a new musical aesthetic. His work places special importance on pulsation, repetition, and gradual changes in musical structures.
S. Reich’s musical ideas remain relevant to this day and far transcend the boundaries of classical music. The composer’s work has influenced contemporary dance, visual arts, theater, and popular music. The popularity of his works is also evidenced by the audiences they attract in concert halls: for example, in October 2014, Reich’s piece “Quartet” was performed in two consecutive sold-out concerts at Queen Elizabeth Hall shortly after Jonny Greenwood, guitarist of the famous British rock band Radiohead, performed Reich’s “Electric Counterpoint” at the Glastonbury Festival.
Reich’s music is especially frequently featured in dance performances – many renowned choreographers have chosen his works. Among them are world-famous dance masters Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker, Jiří Kylián, Jerome Robbins, Justin Peck, Wayne McGregor, Benjamin Millepied, and Christopher Wheeldon.
The composer’s international recognition is evidenced by some of the most important music awards worldwide. Reich won the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2009 for his work “Double Sextet,” and his compositions and recordings have also been awarded three Grammys. The composer has received the Tokyo Praemium Imperiale, the Stockholm Polar Music Prize, the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale, the BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award, and the Gold Medal from the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
At the anniversary concert in Vilnius, Reich’s works will be performed by the most prominent percussionists from Lithuania and Latvia and acclaimed pianists. The concert will feature internationally renowned Latvian percussionist Guntars Freibergs, who has amassed extensive experience as a soloist and recital performer.
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Having studied at the Strasbourg and Brussels conservatories and the Anton Bruckner University in Linz, G. Freibergs has won awards in various international competitions and has performed as a soloist with the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonietta Rīga, Musica Viva, and other orchestras; his solo recitals have been heard in many European countries.
On stage with G. Freibergs will be his student, the talented young Latvian percussionist Edgars Zaurs, who completed his studies in the Netherlands and has already won prizes in international competitions. Alongside the Latvian percussion masters will also perform Pavel Giunter – one of Lithuania’s most prominent percussionists and founder of Giunter Percussion. Throughout his career, the performer has played numerous contemporary music works, including pieces specially composed for him by Lithuanian composers.
Also part of this percussion ensemble is one of Lithuania’s most active percussionists, Sigitas Gailius, who combines his creative work with solo, chamber music performance, and teaching. He is a member of Giunter Percussion and the duo TandemA.S., having performed at major Lithuanian contemporary music festivals and in various European countries. The concert will also feature one of Lithuania’s best-known young pianists, Paulius Andersson, who has won more than 20 international competitions and regularly performs with leading orchestras in Lithuania and abroad, presenting rarely performed works and programs requiring exceptional virtuosity.
In December, P. Andersson will have his debut recital at the prestigious Elbphilharmonie concert hall in Hamburg. The concert will also include the acclaimed Latvian pianist Rihards Plešanovs – an active soloist and chamber musician who performs with Kremerata Baltica, Sinfonietta Rīga, and other orchestras.
The concert dedicated to Steve Reich’s 90th anniversary will take place on October 27 at the Lithuanian National Philharmonic. The performance of the legendary composer’s works will feature the most prominent percussionists and pianists from Latvia and Lithuania.
