On the last Saturday of autumn, we invite you to remember the eminent composer Faustas Latėnas! Among his many works, the composer wrote music for more than 200 theatrical productions, and won the Lithuanian National Prize along with numerous other awards. This concert is dedicated to him by five talented musicians: internationally acclaimed pianist Vytis Šakūras and one of Lithuania’s most prominent chamber music ensembles, the Mettis string quartet.

Vytis Šakūras – an internationally acclaimed pianist, known for his exceptional artistic eloquence, musical contrasts, and ability to weave a profound emotional atmosphere. In his concerts, classical tradition takes on a contemporary hue, and each performance becomes a living narrative. His artistry harbors a special focus on music’s impact upon the listener and its power to bridge cultures.

The pianist has been collaborating with world-renowned clarinetist Giora Feidman since 2023, performing in such halls as the Berlin Philharmonie, Hamburg’s Laeiszhalle, and Stuttgart’s Liederhalle. He performs over 100 concerts annually across Europe and Japan. V. Šakūras’s latest album, “Revolution of Love” (Warner Chappell Music / MACC Records), has garnered high praise.

The Mettis string quartet – one of Lithuania’s most prominent chamber music ensembles, celebrated for its precision, musical sensitivity, and modern perspective on classical tradition. The quartet’s repertoire spans from classical to contemporary works, and their performances are distinguished by a powerful emotional resonance and exceptional stage energy.

Founded in 2012 at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, the quartet’s members later studied at ECMA (European Chamber Music Academy), where, guided by the world’s finest educators in the field, they began a rapid ascent in their career. This is reflected in Mettis’s achievements: in 2016, they won second place and a special prize at the 8th Bordeaux International String Quartet Competition in France, and that same year claimed the title of winners at the 9th V. E. Rimbotti International String Quartet Competition in Italy.

The quartet’s name was not chosen by chance. Metis is a figure from ancient Greek mythology, an Oceanid of the Titan generation, symbolizing wisdom. In common parlance, the word describes a quality rooted in intelligence, ingenuity, and skill.