New Year's Eve with the Vilnius Quartet

Performers: State vilnius quartet GINTARAS JANUŠEVIČIUS (piano) DONATAS BAGURSKAS (double bass)

Program: WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART – Serenade for strings No. 13 in G major ("Eine kleine Nachtmusik"), KV 525 FRANZ SCHUBERT – Piano Quintet in A major, op. post. 114 / D. 667 ("Trout Quintet")

Seeing off the old year with the subtle sounds of Franz Schubert's "Trout Quintet" ("Forellenquintett") has become a beautiful tradition for the State Vilnius Quartet and their friends.

Schubert wrote it in 1819 at the age of 22; the work was not published during the author's lifetime and appeared only a year after his death, in 1829. Today, this opus is considered one of the most important masterpieces of chamber music. The instrumentation of the quintet seemed somewhat unusual at the time – instead of the traditional combination of piano and string quartet, the composer chose a double bass instead of a second violin. The "Trout Quintet" was commissioned by the wealthy patron and amateur cellist Sylvester Paumgartner, who also suggested that Schubert incorporate his previously composed, well-known song "Die Forelle" ("The Trout") into the work.

On the last evening of 2026, the Vilnius String Quartet performs this piece with pianist Gintaras Januševičius and double bassist Donatas Bagurskas. Alongside the "Trout," the New Year's program will feature the cheerful and festive Serenade for strings "Eine kleine Nachtmusik" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a piece highly beloved by audiences. It would be difficult to find anyone interested in music who has not heard this work. Although its commissioner and the purpose of its creation remain unknown, the composer was writing many serenades and divertimentos at the time for receptions in parks, various outdoor events, concerts in the homes of friends and patrons, weddings, birthdays, and other celebrations.