As the whirlwind of the year’s greatest holidays and countless festive concerts subsides, January at Paliesius Manor will be quieter, yet the music remains no less extraordinary. The new year will be opened by the guitar duo of Chris Ruebens and Mindaugas Stumbras, who will present their debut album, “Strung Out.” And at the end of the month, two musicians will take the stage—pianist Milda Umbrusevičiūtė-Kavaliauskienė and Ukrainian violinist Myroslava Kotorovych—performing “Ave,” a program bridging history and the present day.
Source: 7MD.LT
January 10, 4:00 PM | “Strung Out”
Chris Ruebens and Mindaugas Stumbras will perform their debut album, “Strung Out.” Both musicians are prominent Lithuanian guitarists and composers, celebrated for their unique style and musicality. Joining forces, they have crafted a multifaceted and exceptional guitar duo repertoire where classical, jazz, and world music intonations intertwine. Their work merges professionalism, improvisation, and sensitive musical storytelling, allowing listeners to experience a broad spectrum of emotion. Through this collaborative project, they seek not only to experiment but to enrich the Lithuanian music scene with a fresh perspective on the art of the guitar, creating an extraordinary experience for audiophiles and music lovers alike.
Released on January 17, 2025, the album has received high praise. Domantas Razauskas described it as a serious contender for album of the year, emphasizing that acoustic guitar albums of this kind appear very rarely in Lithuania.
January 24, 4:00 PM | “AVE”
The immortal music of J. S. Bach and F. Schubert forms the axis of the program, while the echoes of these masterpieces are reborn through the lens of contemporary Ukrainian composers. The concert is presented by Ukrainian violinist Myroslava Kotorovych and Lithuanian pianist Milda Umbrusevičiūtė-Kavaliauskienė. Violinist Myroslava Kotorovych is an Honored Artist of Ukraine, an associate professor at the violin department of the Ukrainian National Academy of Music, and a regular jury member in both national and international competitions. Meanwhile, solo programs by pianist and international competition laureate Milda Umbrusevičiūtė-Kavaliauskienė resound in concert halls across various countries. Her solo performances are broadcast and recorded by LRT Klasika radio, and she performs actively as a member of chamber ensembles as well.