Concert "In the Footsteps of Liudvikas Rėza"

We invite you to the concert "In the Footsteps of Liudvikas Rėza", which will take place on October 15 at 6:00 PM in the Star Hall of the Ąžuolynas Library. The program will feature works by German composers based on the original poems of Liudvikas Gediminas Rėza (1776–1840) and the Lithuanian folk songs he published.

The focus will be on the Lied genre of the early 19th century – chamber songs for voice and piano, which became an important form of dialogue between literature and music during the Romantic era. A special place among the creators of Königsberg and L. Rėza's companions is held by Wilhelm Jensen, the first composer to publish the poetry of his fellow student and roommate in the form of musical works. Alongside him, works by Alexander Winterberger are also presented, testifying to the dissemination of the Lithuanian folk song texts published by Rėza and Nesselmann in German musical culture.

L. Rėza himself – a theologian, poet, and researcher of Lithuanian culture – was a passionate promoter of the Lithuanian language and folk creativity, seeking to present this heritage to Western Europe. This is also reminded by the gold-decorated copy of the songbook he prepared, which was gifted to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The works performed in the program and their context are based on the research of organist and harpsichordist Vilimas Norkūnas, which reveals the traces of Rėza's literary legacy that have survived to this day in the music of German composers. Both organizers of this program, Giedrius Prunskus and Vilimas Norkūnas, contributed to the transcription of sheet music from the first editions and manuscripts found in Berlin, London, and Vilnius, as well as to the arrangement and adaptation of texts to music. Almost all musical works, originally published in German, will be presented to the audience in Lithuanian, based on the editions of Rėza and Nesselmann's texts (the heritage of Lithuanian folk songs). The original poems by Rėza were translated into verse by Antanas A. Jonynas. After a break of approximately 200 years since their publication, the works of W. Jensen, A. Winterberger, E. Grieg, and F. Chopin will be performed in Lithuanian for the first time in Lithuania.

Performers: Giedrius Prunskus – baritone Vilimas Norkūnas – piano During the event, photography and/or filming will take place, so you may be visible in event photos or videos, which may be published in various media outlets. Description prepared by Vilimas Norkūnas © 2026 Research funded by the Lithuanian Council for Culture (2026).