„From classical to tango“: Gennady Savkov (accordion) and Sergejus Okruško (piano)

The concert is dedicated to commemorate the 75th anniversary of accordionist Gennady Savkov.

We invite you to an exclusive musical evening, during which two talented performers with many years of experience, laureates of various competitions – accordionist Genadijus Savkov and pianist Sergejus Okruško – will delight with their mastery. The program, encompassing works of the most diverse genres, has been prepared specifically for this tour, as you will not often hear a versatile accordion and piano duo. At the same time, it is a peculiar, nostalgic return home for accordionist Genadijus Savkov and a meeting with an old friend and colleague, pianist Sergejus Okruško. Therefore, we invite you not to miss the concert!

Genadijus Savkovas – a renowned Lithuanian accordionist, pedagogue, laureate of international competitions, associate professor at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. G. Savkov’s performance stands out for its impeccable technique, ability to produce a wonderful sound, excellent taste, sense of style, and emotionality.

He studied accordion in his hometown Omsk (in V. Jepifanov’s class), graduated from the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (B. Furmanavičius’s class). From 1986–1989, he continued his studies at the Tchaikovsky National Music Academy of Ukraine.

For over 30 years, he played with accordionist E. Gabnys. Their ensemble was a laureate of many international competitions in Klingenthal, Castelfidardo, and Lanciano. G. Savkov played in the “Excelsior” Baltic Quintet, which was also a winner of many international festivals and competitions. He has performed and continues to perform with renowned Lithuanian singers (V. Noreika, V. Prudnikovas, J. Leitaitė, N. Katilienė, R. Maciūtė), chamber and symphony orchestras, Tomas Leiburas’ “Retro” music ensemble, the piano trio “Musica Camerata Baltica”, and the Čiurlionis String Quartet. He has appeared in many countries in Europe, North and South America, as well as Australia and New Zealand.

The performer is also engaged in pedagogical activities: he works as an expert teacher at the Naujoji Vilnia Music School and as an associate professor at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (in the Department of Folk Instruments and Accordion). During his creative career, G. Savkov has released 5 audio cassettes, 1 LP, 9 CDs, and 3 DVDs. In 2012, his double solo CD “Charmaine” was released.

Currently, the accordionist, living in Sydney since 2017, is brimming with creative energy and has many plans. He participates in various projects, performs both solo and with an accordion, guitar, and bass trio, plays chamber music with a pianist, performs with various singers, including the well-known Australian singer Andrew Goodwin, and is engaged in pedagogical activities. For several years, he worked with the Lithuanian club choir “Dainava”, constantly participates in club events, for example, he was the main concertmaster at the Australian Lithuanian Song Festival in Adelaide.

Since 1974, performing as a soloist and participant in various chamber ensembles, pianist Sergejus Okruško has accumulated an impressive repertoire, encompassing numerous works of various genres from baroque to the present day. The pianist is known as an intellectual performer of broad erudition and an excellent connoisseur of contemporary music. He is often invited to perform the latest opuses by Lithuanian composers and is the first performer of many of them.

His performed and recorded musical masterpieces on compact disc have garnered great interest: the grandiose “Goldberg Variations” by baroque genius J. S. Bach and 20th-century classical works: Paul Hindemith’s cycle “Ludus Tonalis”.

The pianist has collaborated with soloists, chamber ensembles, and orchestras, including vocalists R. Maciūtė, A. Mizrahi (USA), G. Grigorian, clarinetist A. Budrys, percussionist P. Giunteris, marimbist L. Maxey (USA), cellists M. Drobinsky (France), D. Geringas (Germany), “Sostinės trio”, Čiurlionis Quartet, St. Christopher Chamber Orchestra, LNSO.

The pianist also performs baroque and contemporary music on the harpsichord. The performer combines concert activities with pedagogical work at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre.