Kaunas quartet and young talents

In the Small Hall

Performers: Kaunas string quartet Karolina Beinarytė-Palekauskienė (artistic director, first violin) Aistė Mikutytė (second violin) Eglė Lapinskė (viola) Kasparas Šerpytis (cello) Soloists: JORĖ BARTAŠKAITĖ (mezzo-soprano) NOJAH JUZĖNAS (violin) MARTYNA KALENDRAITĖ (viola) GRETA DABULSKYTĖ (harp)

Program: BALYS DVARIONAS – Nocturne in F-sharp minor (arranged for violin and string quartet) MARCEL TOURNIER – “Féerie (Prélude et Danse)” for harp and string quartet CHARLES VILLIERS STANFORD – String Quintet No. 1 in F major, Op. 85 KASPARAS ŠERPYTIS – “Requiescat in pace” for voice and string quartet

Having celebrated its 45th anniversary, the Kaunas String Quartet continues its annual cycle “Kaunas Quartet and Young Talents,” delighted that Lithuania is not lacking in talented and gifted young performers.

Every year, the same meeting takes place: an experienced quartet and those for whom this may be their first major stage or their first bold “I am.” This cycle is not just about concerts. It is a bridge between school and the stage, between fear and freedom, between doubt and choice.

This evening's program is very diverse and colorful, so it is definitely worth not missing the opportunity to hear works by not only European but also Lithuanian composers, one of which is a premiere for voice and string quartet, “Requiescat in pace,” composed by the quartet's cellist Kasparas Šerpytis for the 2026 Pažaislis Festival concert.

The Kaunas Juozas Naujalis Music Gymnasium, which fosters deep musical traditions, consistently nurtures the young generation of musicians. Tonight on stage are two of its students: violinist NOJAH JUZĖNAS and harpist GRETA DABULSKYTĖ. We will also hear representatives of the young generation of performers studying at the Vytautas Magnus University Music Academy – mezzo-soprano JORĖ BARTAŠKAITĖ and violist MARTYNA KALENDRAITĖ.

N. JUZĖNAS is actively involved in the music scene as a soloist, a member of chamber ensembles, and an orchestral performer, regularly appearing in various concerts and educational projects. His solo performances have been heard at gymnasium events, ARCO festivals, and the Alytus Music School festival. He is a participant, laureate, and diploma recipient of many national and international competitions. Among his achievements are laureate titles at the K. Ivaškevičius competition, the “Trofeo Musicale Crescendo” international competition, the VMU “With Love for Music” competition, the 5th International “Music-Making Boys” competition, the 3rd International “Music-Making Boys” competition in Klaipėda, and the 4th National Aleksandras Kačanauskas Young Performers Competition (2025). The performer also became a diploma recipient at the International Viktor Radovich Young String Players Competition. His long-term dedication to the art of the violin has shaped his distinct artistic identity, stage maturity, and encourages continuous professional growth.

G. DABULSKYTĖ has been fascinated by the harp since childhood due to its exceptional sound, elegance, and the magic that seems to come from a fairy tale. Today, the young harpist participates in various musical projects, performs in classical concert programs, and in productions at the Kaunas State Musical Theatre. She is a laureate of the National Balys Dvarionas Young Pianists and String Players Competition, and she won 1st place in the B category at the 3rd National “Piano Ambitus” Musicians Competition. Playing the harp brings G. Dabulskytė great joy and inner peace, which she wants to share with listeners. Sensitivity, subtlety, and the opportunity to reveal the special beauty of the harp's sound are important to her in music.

Mezzo-soprano J. BARTAŠKAITĖ is continuing her master's studies at the VMU Music Academy in the class of Prof. Vladimiras Prudnikovas. The young singer is already actively involved in productions at the Kaunas State Musical Theatre: creating roles in the musicals “Elisabeth” and “Shrek,” and the opera “The Marriage of Figaro.” She also performs actively, participates in various festivals, and composes music in her spare time.

Violist M. KALENDRAITĖ is studying chamber music specialization in the viola class of Prof. Robertas Bliškevičius at the VMU Music Academy. She is the concertmaster of the viola section of the VMU Chamber Orchestra and plays at the Kaunas State Musical Theatre. Chamber music occupies an important place in her musical activities: M. Kalendraitė has performed with string quartets of various compositions and other chamber ensembles. In 2023, she participated in the International Juozas Naujalis Chamber Music Courses and the masterclasses of Prof. Francesco Gaya, as well as the contemporary music festival “Audra,” where she performed works by contemporary composers and had the opportunity to work directly with them.