Event date: 2025-06-13
Event starts: 19:00 Event ends: 20:15
Event place: St. Francis of Assisi (Bernardinai) Church, Vilnius
ŠIS RENGINYS JAU YRA PASIBAIGĘS.
To commemorate the Day of Mourning and Hope, we invite you to attend the concert “Paslaptis” (Secret) by the ensemble “Lietuva.” On the eve of the commemoration, June 13 at 7 pm., a new program of sacred music will be performed at St. Francis of Assisi (Bernardinai) Church in Vilnius. The program will feature lively sounds, sensitive experiences, and professionally recognized works. The concert will be performed by the choir of the state ensemble Lietuva and the Lithuanian national instrument orchestra, together with soloists Vaidas Bartušas, Paulius Klangauskas, Jevgenijus Kovalčukas, and kanklės player Lauryna Labutytė.
“This is not the first time we have organized sacred music programs that leave people feeling inspired and enriched by sensitive experiences, inviting them to honor and remember our history. Although the music is light, an emotionally profound evening awaits, as it is dedicated to those who died in exile or survived it, symbolizing hope and faith that such events will never happen again. We will commemorate not only one of the most painful historical events for Lithuania – the anniversary of the beginning of deportation to Siberia – but also what is happening now in our neighbourhood and around the world. Our nation knows the pain that other nations are suffering now, and it knows the determination to win. Every initiative is a reminder, so it is important to do this constantly, tirelessly, until victory is achieved in every sense,” says Egidijus Kaveckas, chief conductor of the ensemble “Lietuva”.
The program will feature seven works by contemporary composers, blending into a coherent and compelling musical narrative that reveals themes of sacredness, spiritual state, and identity, offering a unique interpretation of the experiences of the human inner world and collective memory. The title of the concert was inspired by composer Feliksas Bajoras’ choral work “Paslaptis” (Secret), which reflects existentially on the fragility and temporality of being. It is a dramatic, philosophically charged musical opus, whose composition is distinguished by its meditative mood and subtle whispers. Sometimes silence speaks as much as sound, and mystery becomes not only the theme but also the form of the music.
Algirdas Martinaitis’ work MKČ, which commemorates the widely celebrated Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis Year, will invite listeners to return to their Lithuanian roots, search for their identity, and feel nature. We will invite you to support those fighting for their freedom with Ukrainian composer Myroslav Skoryk’s “Melody.”
The program will traditionally feature “Stabat Mater (dolorosa),” which translates into English as “The Mother Stood (in Pain).” This year, we will present composer Giedrius Svilainis’ original version, which was created exclusively for the Day of Mourning and Hope and commemorates its long history.
“The work ”Stabat Mater“ was commissioned by the choir ”Jauna muzika“ in 2001. Symbolically, the premiere took place on June 14 of the same year at St. John’s Church in Vilnius, performed by the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra and the choir ”Jauna muzika”. Later, this work was performed every year at concerts traditionally dedicated to this occasion. Since then, this work was performed annually at concerts traditionally dedicated to this occasion. I am delighted that this year it will be performed for the first time by the ensemble “Lietuva”. In creating this music and basing it on the liturgical text of “Stabat Mater”, I wanted to show the pain and suffering of the exiles, as experienced by the Mother when she saw her son Christ crucified. Especially in the context of today’s events, we urge you not to lose faith and to unite in music, to believe that everything will eventually come to an end and that history will never repeat itself,” says composer G. Svilainis.
The State Ensemble “Lietuva” reminds us with its repertoire that we create history together, and it is up to us how we remember it and how we will go down in history. In this tense period, when we are still observing and feeling the consequences of war and social division, the ensemble invites everyone who has built and continues to build the country, rather than destroy it, to join together, regardless of their nationality or worldview.
On June 14, the Day of Mourning and Hope, the whole country will commemorate the 84th anniversary of the beginning of deportation to Siberia. The event is free to attend.
Free entry.
Performers: choir and orchestra of the State Ensemble “Lietuva”
Soloists: Vaidas Bartušas, Paulius Klangauskas, Jevgenijus Kovalčukas and kanklės player Lauryna Labutytė
Chief Conductor: Egidijus Kaveckas
Chief Choir Master: Algimantas Kriūnas
Art Director: Giedrius Svilainis
PROGRAMME:
- Algirdas Martinaitis, “MKČ”. Performed by the choir of the ensemble ”Lietuva” and soloist L. Labutytė (kanklės).
- Jurgita Mieželytė, “O Ignis Spiritus”. Liturgical text, performed by the Lietuva ensemble choir and soloist V. Bartušas.
- Feliksas Bajoras, “Paslaptis” (Secret): 1) Nesibaigianti auka (Endless Sacrifice) 2) Dūžtanti banga (Crashing Wave). Text by Jonas Gutauskas, performed by the Lietuva choir a capella.
- Bronius Kutavičius, “Atnešu rūtos šaką” (Bringing a Branch of Rue). Text by Sigitas Geda, performed a cappella by the “Lietuva” choir.
- Giedrius Svilainis, “Stabat Mater”. Liturgical text performed by the “Lietuva” ensemble orchestra, percussion and choir, soloists V. Bartušas, P. Klangauskas, and J. Kovalčukas.
- Myroslav Skoryk, “Melodija” (Melody). Orchestration by R. Raginytė, performed by the “Lietuva” ensemble orchestra and choir.
- Vidmantas Bartulis, “Mažosios mišios” (The Little Mass). Liturgical text performed by the “Lietuva” ensemble orchestra and choir.
