Sounding europe IV
About this event
Dedicated to Lithuania's Presidency of the Council of the EU
Performers:
Lithuanian state symphony orchestra
Artistic Director and Chief Conductor Gintaras Rinkevičius
Kaunas state choir
Artistic Director and Chief Conductor Robertas Šervenikas
Soloists:
LINA DAMBRAUSKAITĖ (soprano)
IEVA PRUDNIKOVAITĖ (mezzo-soprano)
EDGARAS MONTVIDAS (tenor)
TADAS GIRININKAS (bass)
Conductor GINTARAS RINKEVIČIUS
Program:
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN – Mass in C major, Op. 86
In the first half of 2027, as Lithuania holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the second time in history, the Kaunas Philharmonic is proud to contribute to this significant national event and become an integral part of the socio-cultural program of the Lithuanian Presidency. On this occasion, we present an exclusive concert series, "Resounding Europe," dedicated to commemorating this historic period and honoring one of the most prominent figures in European music history – Ludwig van Beethoven, on the 200th anniversary of his death. Using L. van Beethoven's music as a universal language, the concert series will invite reflection on the importance of the values of freedom, solidarity, human dignity, democracy, and unity for contemporary Europe, as well as the role of culture in strengthening intercultural dialogue, community, and European cultural identity.
The "Resounding Europe" concert series will conclude with L. van Beethoven's Mass in C major. The composer created it in 1807 commissioned by Prince Nikolaus Esterházy II. This mass was first performed that same year by the Prince's musical ensemble in Eisenstadt. Both the Prince and the critic of the time, Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann, were dissatisfied with the work, although the critic did describe the piece as "entirely worthy of the great master, thanks to its internal structure and skillfully chosen orchestration." This work was overshadowed by the later and better-known "Missa Solemnis," although critic Michael Moore considers the Mass in C major superior in terms of "directness and emotional content."
The project is funded by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania
The concert is organized in cooperation with the Pažaislis Music Festival