All About the Viola

A viola duo is not a common phenomenon in the musical world. Therefore, the program prepared by Dovilė Juozapaitienė and Jurgis Juozapaitis is unique, as the works to be performed are rarely played not only in Lithuania but also worldwide!

Some intriguing moments of this concert: we will hear G. Knox's work “Viola Spaces,” which showcases a whole bouquet of viola playing techniques and sound possibilities, as well as other opuses that reveal the viola from the most unexpected angles. Antanas Rekašius’ “Grotesque,” dedicated to prominent Lithuanian violists Petras Radzevičius and Donatas Katkus, will also be performed—besides these musicians and the Juozapaitis duo, no one else has performed this work!

Program:

A. Rolla - Duo for Two Violas No. 3, F major W. Lutoslawski - Bucolics (arranged for 2 violas) G. Knox - Viola Spaces for Two • No. 1 Beside the Bridge, • No. 3 One Finger, • No. 4 Nine Fingers F. Bridge - Lament A. Rekašius - Grotesque

About the performers:

Dovilė Juozapaitienė is the principal violist of the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra and was a member of the Kaunas String Quartet from 2004 to 2008. As a soloist and member of chamber ensembles, she has given concerts in concert halls in Lithuania and abroad, collaborated with the Vilnius, Čiurlionis, and Kaunas string quartets, as well as prominent foreign and Lithuanian performers, and has played with the Lithuanian National Symphony, Kaunas City Symphony, Lithuanian Chamber, St. Christopher Chamber, and Klaipėda Chamber orchestras.

Jurgis Juozapaitis frequently performs as a chamber music artist. As a soloist, he has played with the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra, the LMTA Student Symphony Orchestra, the Klaipėda Chamber Orchestra, and the New Era Orchestra (Ukraine), and has performed with the Čiurlionis String Quartet. He is the principal violist of the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra.

He has participated in many viola and chamber music masterclasses led by renowned professors, including J. Kluson, A. Kouyoumdjian, H. Kefer, Beyerle, A. Keller, W. Klos, M. da Silva, and others. He has also participated in international and national competitions, winning laureate diplomas in 15 of them: 2nd prize laureate at the International M. Elsky Viola Competition in Minsk (2007); 2nd place at the International “Val Tidone” Chamber Music Competition in Italy (2010); finalist and winner of a special prize at the 38th International Chamber Music Competition “Lyceum Club International de Suisse” (2012) in Switzerland; and 1st place at the 19th International European Chamber Music Competition in Illzach, France (2015). 3rd place at the International “Salieri-Zinetti” Chamber Music Competition in Italy (2019).