In the first month of summer at Paliesius Manor, the music of keyboard instruments—especially the piano—will unfold in its most beautiful colors. The month begins with the return of percussionist Vladimir Tarasov and pianist Viktoras Paukštelis, who will this time also play the manor’s historical instruments. The following weekend, the renowned Jurga Šeduikytė and pianist Kęstutis Pavalkis will present the album “Tik aš ir tu”, while pianist Julija Bagdonavičiūtė will introduce her debut album, “Srautas”. Following them, violinist Atis Bankas and pianist Victoria Kogan will arrive at the manor from afar, and the month will be brought to a close by pianist Daumantas Kirilauskas with a classical program. We invite you to attend the concerts and discover the multiplicity and beauty of the piano!
Source: 7MD.LT
June 7, 5:00 PM | Paukštelis / Tarasov Return to Paliesius Manor
Pianist Viktoras Paukštelis and percussionist Vladimir Tarasov return to Paliesius Manor. They will present a program where Baroque music meets contemporary improvisation. The manor’s new historical instruments—the organ and the harpsichord—will also be played. This is a sound that can only be born at Paliesius!
Vladimir Tarasov is a laureate of the Lithuanian National Prize for Culture and Arts, a world-renowned drummer, jazz virtuoso, and visual artist. He commands a multitude of musical styles, though his primary interests lie in free jazz and improvisational music. Together with the GTČ trio, Tarasov laid the foundations for the Lithuanian school of jazz; he has collaborated with global luminaries of improvisational music, and was one of the first in Europe to perform solo percussion programs. Viktoras Paukštelis is often called an artist of unique nature, presenting audiences with a fusion of his two talents: painting and playing the piano. On the classical stage, such a synthesis has no equivalent. Following a highly successful performance at New York’s Carnegie Hall, The New York Concert Review noted his “first-rate” sense of rhythm, calling his musicianship honest, solid, and fiery.
June 14, 4:00 PM | Jurga Šeduikytė: Acoustic Presentation of the Album “Tik aš ir tu” at Paliesius
An acoustic presentation of Jurga Šeduikytė’s album “Tik aš ir tu” will take place with pianist Kęstutis Pavalkis. Shining in the Lithuanian music sky for more than two decades, Šeduikytė’s star is exceptional not only for her musical calling but for an abundance of other talents. Fans have often seen Jurga on television screens, admired her on the theatrical stage and in film, and read her published texts and book. Stopping, however, is not in Jurga’s nature. She continues to seek the path toward her dreams, willingly sharing her explorations with others. Timeless in its essence, Jurga’s creative work has undergone many transformations, just like the artist herself—yet in the face of all change and challenge, the singer remains ever faithful to authenticity. Such is the creator’s new album “Tik aš ir tu”—absolutely real and deeply felt to the very last detail—and Jurga invites everyone longing for quality sound to its launch concerts.
June 15, 2:00 PM | Srautas. Julija Bagdonavičiūtė
Paliesius Manor hosts the presentation of Julija Bagdonavičiūtė’s debut album, “Srautas”. The focus of the album is the archive of the Music Information Centre Lithuania, which led the performer to the works of eleven composers. In the program, pieces for solo piano intertwine with various chamber music opuses. The definition of srautas (flow) as a “rushing multitude” and constant movement helps create a multifaceted musical narrative within the album’s context, where unexpected and inspiring dialogues are born at the intersections of different aesthetics and moods.
Pianist Julija Bagdonavičiūtė has performed for audiences in Lithuania, Italy, France, Germany, Hungary, Finland, Sweden, Portugal, and Croatia. Since 2020, she has been a scholarship recipient of Lord Yehudi Menuhin’s “Live Music Now Hannover” foundation. She performs actively not only as a soloist but also in chamber ensembles—together with the piano trio “Meta,” she participates in international masterclasses and festivals across various countries. For her musical achievements, Julija was awarded a certificate of appreciation by the President of the Republic of Lithuania, Dalia Grybauskaitė.
June 21, 4:00 PM | Kogan / Bankas Duo
Violinist Atis Bankas and pianist Victoria Kogan will perform in the Pasaga Concert Hall at Paliesius Manor. Atis Bankas relocated from Lithuania to Canada, where he won a massive audition to begin playing with the Toronto National Symphony Orchestra. For his musical contributions, he was inducted into the International Knightly Order of St. George. In 2017, the violinist was honored with the prestigious Christopher Newton Award for extraordinary business vision—the Music Niagara festival, under his leadership, has become one of the most important and highly regarded music festivals in Canada. Canadian pianist Victoria Kogan is the winner of the Stravinsky, Andorra, Minneapolis, and Korea piano competitions. As a soloist with orchestras, she has performed in major concert halls—the Concertgebouw, the Cologne Philharmonie, the Meistersinger Hall, the Teatro di San Carlo in Naples, the Salle Pleyel in Paris, and others, frequently playing across various countries.
June 28, 4:00 PM | Daumantas Kirilauskas (piano, Lithuania)
Pianist Daumantas Kirilauskas will showcase his art of the highest caliber. He is a pianist awarded the Golden Disc for his active concert life and high artistic level, a laureate of national and international competitions who has released 17 solo albums, recorded soundtracks for numerous films and theatrical productions, and performed in a variety of countries. Since 2019, the pianist has been a Bösendorfer Artist, and since 2024, a professor at the Piano and Organ Department of the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (LMTA). The pianist has prepared a charming classical program for us, featuring his interpretations of works by Bach, van Beethoven, and Schumann. At the performer’s request, the funds collected from concert tickets will be donated to the Blue/Yellow organization to support Ukraine in its fight for freedom.