For the first time in Lithuania – one of the most famous cello groups in the world, CELLO OCTET AMSTERDAM

On October 25, the National Philharmonic will host the first-ever Lithuanian performance by one of the most influential and renowned cello ensembles in the world – Cello Octet Amsterdam. The eight-cellist ensemble, which has earned international acclaim for its innovative programs and collaboration with today's most prominent composers, will present an exclusive concert featuring premieres in Lithuania and music by the legendary Japanese composer and pianist Ryuichi Sakamoto. After the premiere of his first work for this collective, the famous composer Arvo Pärt uttered words that are frequently quoted about this ensemble: "This octet is worth its weight in gold. I discovered them ten years too late."

Active for nearly four decades since 1989, Cello Octet Amsterdam is one of the most prominent names in contemporary music worldwide. The ensemble has collaborated with iconic composers such as Philip Glass, Arvo Pärt, David Lang, Michael Gordon, as well as Sarah Davachi, Kate Moore, Nyokabi Kariũki, and many other creators. The collective has performed in the world's most famous concert halls – Amsterdam's Concertgebouw and Muziekgebouw, London's Wigmore Hall and Royal Albert Hall (at the BBC Proms festival), and has toured the USA, Mexico, Brazil, Spain, Germany, Canada, and other countries in Central and South America, Asia, and the Middle East.

The ensemble's mastery is also admired by the famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma, who called the ensemble "a true treasure" and one of the best examples for the entire music world. "Wherever I perform – in Brazil, Japan, or the United States – I hear people talking about Cello Octet Amsterdam everywhere," emphasized Yo-Yo Ma regarding the collective's importance and fame.

Over the years, the collective has masterfully mastered the ability to immerse itself in the most diverse sonic worlds and has proven that the possibilities of the cello far exceed the boundaries of a traditional chamber ensemble. Their repertoire combines contemporary music, electronics-inspired projects, theatrical elements, and interdisciplinary performances. For example, in the program "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Cello Band," the octet recreates the entire sonic palette of the legendary The Beatles album; in the project "Cocon," they create a sound inspired by experimental electronic music; and in performances designed for families, the musicians also become theatrical performers.

Believing that musicians are an inseparable part of society, the ensemble collaborates with creators from various fields and explores relevant topics in their work such as consumerism, human trafficking, loneliness, and climate change.