Lithuanian contemporary music is the hidden gem of the European new music scene. Characterised by a proto-pagan minimalism and folk inspired sensibility, its art scene has also generated artists such as the maverick Fluxus king George Maciunas, whose musical works are rarely heard. Curated by new music cellist Anton Lukoszevieze and featuring the renowned Chordos Quartet, the programme "Twittering Machines and Sutartinės" at Kings Place focuses on an exciting new generation of composers and culminates with works by 2 major figures, 'super-minimalist' Rytis Mažulis and the mesmerisingly mellifluous music of Bronius Kutavičius. This concert is being recorded by BBC Radio 3 and will be transmitted in Hear and Now on Saturday 17th October at 10.30pm.
PROGRAMME
Egidija Medekšaitė - Oscillum for cello and electronics (2008)
Ričardas Kabelis - Invariations for string quartet (1983) UK PREMIERE
Justė Janulytė - Psalms for cello and electronics (2008)
Arturas Bumšteinas - Heap of Language for solo cello, string quartet and live-electronics (2009) WORLD PREMIERE
interval
Marie Menken - Notebook 16mm film (1940-1962)
George Maciunas - In Memoriam to Adriano Olivetti for string quartet and cello (1962)
Rytis Mažulis - 14 Canons for cello and electronics (2009) WORLD PREMIERE
Bronius Kutavičius - Anno cum tettigonia for string quartet and electronics (1980) UK PREMIERE
Anton Lukoszevieze, cello
Chordos Quartet (Lithuania): Dainius Puodžiukas (1st violin), Ieva Sipaitytė (2nd violin), Robertas Bliškevičius (viola), Rūta Tamutytė (cello)
Produced by King’s Place in collaboration with the Lithuanian Music Information and Publishing Centre and the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in the UK
Supported by the Lithuanian Cultural Foundation
Monday, 21 September, 8 pm, King’s Place, Hall TwoTickets: from £9.50 online. The earlier you book, the cheaper the ticket BOOK NOW
Box office: 020 7520 1490, kingsplace.co.uk
Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9AG
Nearest Tube: King’s Cross St Pancras
Cellist Anton Lukoszevieze is one of the most diverse performers of his generation and is notable for his performances of avant-garde, experimental and improvised music. Anton has given many performances at numerous international festivals throughout Europe and the USA (Maerzmusik, Donaueschingen, Wien Modern, GAS, Transart, Ultima). Anton has also performed concerti with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the Netherlands Radio Symphony Orchestra. He is unique in the UK through his use of the curved bow (BACH-Bogen), which he is using to develop a new repertoire for the cello. From 2005-7 he was New Music Fellow at King’s College, Cambridge and Kettle’s Yard Gallery. Anton Lukoszevieze is founder and director of the ensemble Apartment House, a member of the Berlin group Zeitkratzer and made his contemporary dance debut with the Vincent Dance Company in Broken Chords, Düsseldorf, 2008.
During its relatively short existence the Chordos Quartet has demonstrated an enduring commitment to promoting the latest in Lithuanian music and bringing the most recent as well as greatest pieces of contemporary repertoire to audiences in Lithuania and abroad. Their interests range from baroque music to joint projects with rock and jazz musicians. Their recent recording credits also include incidental music for films and theatre. The quartet’s current lineup is Ieva Sipaitytė (1st violin), Dainius Puodžiukas (2nd violin), Robertas Bliškevičius (viola), Rūta Tamutytė (cello). The quartet has performed in nearly all music festivals in Lithuania (Gaida, Vilnius Festival, Jauna muzika, Permainų muzika, Marių klavyrai, etc.), and also in Sweden, MaerzMusik in Berlin (2003), Klangspuren in Austria (2004), appeared in Paris, Brussels, Strasbourg, and Moscow.
"Played with radiant commitment by a votary of avant-gardism"
The Sunday Times on Anton Lukoszevieze
“Twittering Machine is what being clubbed to death by 88 small, padded hammers must feel like—some of the most powerful music I’ve heard in years”
Grooves on Rytis Mažulis
“His music moves smoothly between mesmeric restraint and thrilling power”
BBC Music Magazine on Bronius Kutavičius
Out Hear is a series of events curated by leading promoters and musicians in the worlds of contemporary / experimental music and multi-media performance. Prepare to ‘break your sound barrier’ as you embark on a thrilling journey of sonic adventures.
Lithuanian Embassy in the UK inf.
