Autumn arrives at Paliesius Manor with a rich and varied program, unfolding a different yet uniquely special concert each weekend. The month opens with “Autumn Mosaic,” the debut program of an international trio featuring pianist Ilona Damašiūtė-Beres, flutist Viktorija Marija Zabrodaitė, and cellist Gintarė Kaminskaitė-Rudić. The second weekend welcomes the seventh Alexander Paley music marathon, “Schubertiade in Paliesius”—across three concerts, A. Paley, Pei-Wen Chen, Raimondas Butvila, and Marius Dominykas Sakavičius will interpret the greatest masterpieces of F. Schubert. On the third weekend, baritone Giedrius Prunskus, pianist Jonė Punytė-Svigarienė, and narrator Vytautas Rumšas (senior) will weave an evening fairytale for adults: J. Brahms’ vocal cycle “Magelone” Op. 33, a rarity on Lithuanian stages. Finally, the month draws to a close with “Following Čiurlionis,” a program by saxophonist Janas Maksimovičius and pianist Dmitrijus Golovanovas honoring the 150th anniversary of M. K. Čiurlionis’s birth.
September 6, 4:00 PM | “Autumn Mosaic”
September 13, 11:00 AM / 3:00 PM / 7:00 PM | The Seventh Alexander Paley Music Marathon “Schubertiade in Paliesius”
Paliesius Manor eagerly awaits the seventh Alexander Paley music marathon: this time, its theme is “Schubertiade in Paliesius.” Over the course of a single day and three distinct concerts—at 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 7:00 PM—nearly all the greatest masterpieces by one of music history’s most pivotal composers will resound: magnificent piano trios, sonatas, works for piano four hands, and much more.
The stage will welcome two pianists: the fiery piano virtuoso Alexander Paley, who routinely earns standing ovations and unstinting critical acclaim, and his wife, Pei-Wen Chen, a laureate of international piano competitions and participant in world-class projects who performs regularly in Europe and across the globe. Playing the violin will be Raimondas Butvila, professor and head of the String Instruments Department at the Vytautas Magnus University Music Academy, who brings a wealth of experience performing with diverse orchestras and chamber ensembles. On the cello will be Marius Dominykas Sakavičius, a participant and laureate of numerous national and international masterclasses and competitions, who has appeared as a soloist with various orchestras across multiple countries.
September 20, 4:00 PM | AN EVENING FAIRYTALE FOR ADULTS or THE LOVE STORY OF THE FAIR MAGELONE AND PETER, COUNT OF PROVENCE
Johannes Brahms’ vocal cycle “Magelone” Op. 33, a work based on a medieval chivalric tale and rarely heard in Lithuania, will resound through Paliesius Manor. Three talented performers will breathe life into the piece: licentiate of arts, baritone Giedrius Prunskus, and doctor of arts, pianist Jonė Punytė-Svigarienė—both of whom studied the subtleties of the “Lied” in its German homeland and have realized numerous “Lied” projects—alongside actor and narrator Vytautas Rumšas (senior), whose voice is instantly recognizable for its extraordinary expressiveness and artistic depth.
This concert offers an original presentation of one of the most unique and mature vocal cycles in the history of the “Lied” genre, seamlessly integrating the cycle’s songs into the fairytale that illuminates their plot. Johannes Brahms’ fifteen-song vocal cycle “Magelone” Op. 33 was composed to the poetry of 18th-century German writer Ludwig Tieck, which in turn was inspired by a chivalric romance by an unknown French author. During the concert, the narrated fairytale naturally guides the listener through the logical flow of the cycle, conjuring a romantic atmosphere steeped in the symbolism of the era. Whenever the lyrical hero reaches a certain emotional state, the reading gives way to J. Brahms’ songs, highlighting the rapidly shifting spectrum of feelings within the cycle.
September 27, 4:00 PM | Janas Maksimovičius / Dmitrijus Golovanovas: “Following Čiurlionis”
In celebration of the 150th anniversary of M. K. Čiurlionis’s birth, saxophonist Janas Maksimovičius and pianist Dmitrijus Golovanovas invite you on an impressive, deeply moving musical journey where the worlds of classical music, contemporary jazz, and improvisation converge. The program, “Following Čiurlionis,” is an interpretation of Čiurlionis’s preludes performed by two talented masters of improvisational music, whose readings expand the original works into grander improvisational forms. This performance also serves as the launch of their latest album—recorded right here in the Paliesius Manor concert hall—which will be officially presented during this event. Listeners will have the opportunity to purchase autographed copies directly from the artists’ hands.
The preludes featured in the program, which historically reflect the genre of improvisational music, harmonize beautifully with the philosophy of jazz. Both musicians draw on years of experience performing on prestigious domestic and international stages to transcend traditional jazz stereotypes, carefully preserving the essence of Čiurlionis’s music while harmoniously developing the elements of his creative vision.