What happens when ancient myths, personal memories, and the language of contemporary music converge in a single concert program? The duo of Swiss percussionist Fabian Ziegler and Lithuanian pianist Akvilė Šileikaitė invites you to explore the expressive possibilities of percussion and piano, unveiling unexpected colors of sound, vibrant rhythms, and deep emotional experiences.

Fabian Ziegler – a Swiss percussionist dedicated to revealing the expressive possibilities of the vibraphone, marimba, and other percussion instruments in both solo and chamber music. He actively collaborates with contemporary composers and initiates the creation of new works. In 2025, alongside the chamber ensemble “TrioColores”, he was awarded the prestigious “Opus Klassik” award.

Akvilė Šileikaitė – a Lithuanian pianist living and creating in Switzerland. Her repertoire spans the music of various eras: from the Baroque to contemporary works, encompassing rarely performed opuses and brand-new compositions. She performs on international stages and collaborates with artists and orchestras across different countries. Her interpretations stand out for their vitality, rhythmic energy, and lyrical, singing quality.

Having begun their creative journey together in 2018, the Šileikaitė–Ziegler duo actively collaborates with contemporary composers, expanding the repertoire for piano and percussion. Both artists perform widely on international stages and participate in chamber and contemporary music projects. Their program brings together myths, personal histories, and the tonal transformations of their instruments—shifting seamlessly from the rhythmic energy of jazz to delicate, barely audible whispers of sound.

One of the featured works in the program is “Atalanta” by New Zealand composer John Psathas, created in 2020 expressly for this duo. The story behind its genesis is beautifully unusual: the composer dedicated the piece to Fabian and Akvilė as they were preparing for their wedding. The myth of Atalanta tells of a fleet-footed huntress who agrees to marry only the suitor who can outrun her. This ancient tale became the starting point for music that, in the composer’s words, reflects youthful love, warmth, and the profound connection between two people. Psathas composed “Atalanta” over eight intensely creative days, and the work has since enjoyed widespread acclaim.

Another composition by Psathas, “Halo”, explores a more deeply personal theme. Written following the passing of the composer’s mother, the piece employs barely audible, pre-recorded sounds emanating from a speaker hidden deep within the piano. They envelop the live performance like a sonic halo, serving as a gentle reminder of the closeness that lingers even after loss.

The program will also feature music from other eras and styles. Alfred Schnittke’s “Suite in the Old Style” playfully interprets 18th-century musical traditions, Maurice Ravel’s “Ballade de la reine morte d’aimer” tenderly unfolds the theme of memory, while Claude Debussy’s “Clair de lune”, performed on the vibraphone, highlights the instrument’s exquisitely subtle timbre. Finally, Carlo Willems and Geert Callaert’s “Introduction and Dance” from the “Jazz Suite” returns the vibraphone to its musical roots—the vibrant world of jazz.