“It was pouring cats and dogs in Vilnius. I waited for the rain to stop, and finally it did. We are setting up the stage and hope the rain will return only after the last song – the wonderful Vilnius audience deserves it,” the artist wrote before the concert in Vilnius. T. Emmanuel returned to perform in the Lithuanian capital after a decade.
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The audience gathered in the courtyard of the Adam Mickiewicz Library did not let the musician leave the stage for a long time – the Grammy winner, a guitarist who has created and played with the world’s most famous musicians – Eric Clapton, John Denver, Mark Knopfler, Joe Walsh – once again enchanted the listeners. After the concert, they shared their impressions – “It was magical!”
Tommy Emmanuel’s playing is described as almost supernatural. He steps on stage alone, but the guitar in his hands turns into an orchestra: melody, rhythm, bass, and percussion merge into a breathtaking experience.
The artist’s journey is impressive: from early childhood tours in Australia to the biggest stages in the world. He has played and created with Eric Clapton, John Denver, Mark Knopfler, Joe Walsh, and other music legends. The guitarist appeared to a billion-strong audience during the closing ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Games.
This summer, the historic courtyard of Vilnius’ A. Mickiewicz Library became one of the most interesting concert venues in Vilnius. Until the end of August, the Kristupas Festival will hold five more exceptional evenings here, featuring prominent, world-class performers of today’s classical, jazz, blues, and crossover music.
On July 29, an American duo – violinist Charles Yang and pianist Peter Dugan – will perform in Vilnius. This is one of the most anticipated festival concerts.
The festival director and program creator Jurgita Murauskienė explains that this year’s theme – “Algorithms” – is directly related to the musicians’ performance. One evening, the violinist Ch. Yang, who performs with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, was shown to her by the social network “Instagram.” The chance to invite the musician to Vilnius seemed unreal to J. Murauskienė. Somehow, after a few weeks, the artist’s agency unexpectedly offered to meet – it turned out that a Lithuanian, Ina Marija Ubaitė, works at the agency.
“Peter and I started our duet at Juilliard simply wanting to have fun. Hearing how he improvises gospel, I burst into the rehearsal room and said, ‘Hey, let’s play together.’ And we played. Later, it grew into Frank’s sonata, Ravel, we started creating our own songs and arrangements, we wanted to be in each other’s company, to make music together. That has always been our essence, and it remains so – we simply enjoy each other’s company, and that shows on stage. Each of our performances is constant jokes, an open conversation between the two of us without any plan,” said Grammy winner Ch. Yang before the concert in Vilnius.
Ch. Yang performs in prestigious concert halls worldwide – from Carnegie Hall to Berlin’s Konzerthaus. P. Dugan is not only a well-known pianist and composer but also the host of the popular NPR show “From the Top,” collaborating with Joshua Bell, Renée Fleming, and other classical music stars.
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On the last day of July, the 31st, the courtyard of A. Mickiewicz Library will be filled with Cuban rhythms. The internationally acclaimed ensemble “Klazz Brothers & Cuba Percussion,” masterfully blending European classical masterpieces with salsa, son, bolero, merengue, and Afro music rhythms for over two decades, is coming to Vilnius. Their album Classic Meets Cuba was nominated for a Grammy Award, received Echo Klassik and Jazz Award honors, and the group’s music is featured in Hollywood films.
“The moment the audience forgets what they ‘should’ feel, starts smiling, moving, and dancing, enjoying the music from the heart, we know we are where we should be,” say the musicians.
A completely different encounter with music is promised on August 4 by Lithuanian artist Donatas Montvydas, who will perform at the festival with the vocal group “Vilnius Voices.” In a program specially created for the Kristupas Festival, well-known Donatas songs will sound with new shades – gospel tradition, polyphonic harmonies, and subtle arrangements.
“Having started my path to the stage from gospel, I still feel how much truth and power it holds. A special piece will be played at the concert – “Oh Happy Day”, always reminding me why I chose music,” says D. Montvydas.
On August 5, the library courtyard will turn into a rock and roll stage. Pianist Henry Herbert returns to the Kristupas Festival with the band “The Fury” – one of the brightest masters of blues and boogie-woogie piano in the world. The musician, who has performed at the Monaco royal palace and David Letterman’s TV show, collaborated with legendary Rolling Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell, and today gathers tens of millions of views online with his spontaneous performances in public spaces.
The summer concert cycle will conclude on August 6 with another world legend – French accordion virtuoso Richard Galliano with the “New Trio.” The iconic accordionist, who rewrote the history of his instrument, is convinced: if anything has the power to turn back time, it is music.
In Vilnius, the musician will present the program “New Viaggio.” It was inspired by the accordionist’s signature pieces. “Rediscovering studio recordings, I felt a strong emotion – a mixture of joy and nostalgia. Alternative versions, different takes reminded me of the creative alchemy I want to experience with you,” says Galliano.
The Kristupas Festival runs until August 27 in the courtyard of A. Mickiewicz Library and St. Casimir’s Church. More information can be found here.
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