“Europos fantazija”: Petras Vyšniauskas (saxophone), Aleksandra Žvirblytė (piano)

On October 10, Paliesius Manor will host a remarkable concert by two prominent Lithuanian artists: saxophone grandmaster Petras Vyšniauskas and pianist Aleksandra Žvirblytė.

Two worlds: the classical and the art of improvisation. Emerging from these distinct realms, two vibrant personalities play and provoke, forging a new alloy. New music is born—unique and unexpectedly organic.

The projects of these two musicians have already captured the hearts of music lovers across Lithuania and Europe. Both audiences and critics marvel at their supreme artistry, singular artistic visions, and the intriguing fusion of classical masterpieces with spontaneous improvisation—thoughts and ideas born in the here and now. The concert will feature original works and improvisations inspired by the music of all 27 European Union countries.

“I am not Žvirblytė, but I fly. I am not Classical, but I have found it; I have seen nothing freer and nothing finer. I felt it. Time is running, I want to rise again,” says Petras Vyšniauskas. And Aleksandra Žvirblytė adds: “To play what you know intimately while simultaneously not knowing where your fantasy will carry you. To let yourself be provoked and to provoke in turn, arriving at true freedom of thought. A genuine artistic trance.”

“Petras Vyšniauskas’s concert with pianist Aleksandra Žvirblytė was spellbinding. The concept is simply incredible. The effect is breathtaking, not only because Petras takes unrelenting risks, but because the music is so subtle and intense that tears imperceptibly begin to well up. An unforgettable concert…” – Emmanuel de Gouvello, France

“The Lithuanian soprano saxophonist Petras Vyšniauskas is, to my mind, one of the most highly original musicians focusing on this instrument—his vivid phrases expand with decisively original intervals, and his sound is powerful—stronger and more precise than Sam Rivers, denser and more concentrated than Steve Lacy, perhaps even as polyphonic as Evan Parker.” – Howard Mandel, New York, USA

“Aleksandra Žvirblytė unreservedly paints an emotional musical canvas right here on stage. Her playing is not only technically perfect but spiritually rich; superb technique becomes merely the vessel to express her distinct perception of music.” – Steen Sogaard, “Morgenavisen Jyllandspoeten” daily, Denmark