On the last Saturday of autumn, we invite you to remember the eminent composer Faustas Latėnas! Among other works, the composer wrote music for more than 200 theater productions and was awarded the Lithuanian National Prize, alongside other distinguished honors. Tonight’s concert is dedicated to him by five exceptionally talented musicians: the internationally acclaimed pianist Vytis Šakūras and one of Lithuania’s most prominent chamber music ensembles, the string quartet “Mettis”.

Vytis Šakūras is an internationally recognized pianist, known for his compelling artistic presence, striking musical contrasts, and ability to weave a deeply emotional atmosphere. In his concerts, the classical tradition acquires a contemporary hue, transforming each performance into a living narrative. At the heart of his artistry lies a profound devotion to music’s resonance with the listener and its power to bridge cultures.

Since 2023, the pianist has collaborated with world-renowned clarinetist Giora Feidman, gracing the stages of venues such 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 critical acclaim.

The string quartet “Mettis” is one of the brightest chamber music ensembles in Lithuania, celebrated for its precision, musical sensitivity, and modern perspective on the classical tradition. The quartet’s repertoire spans from classical masterworks to contemporary pieces, with performances defined by a powerful emotional charge and exceptional stage energy.

The quartet was founded in 2012 at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. Its members later studied at ECMA (European Chamber Music Academy), where, guided by some of the world’s finest pedagogues in the field, they began a rapid ascent in their career. The achievements of “Mettis” speak for themselves: in 2016, they won second place and a special prize at the 8th International String Quartet Competition in Bordeaux, France, and in the same year, took first prize at the 9th International V. E. Rimbotti 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 who symbolized wisdom. In common language, the word describes a quality rooted in cleverness, ingenuity, and skill.