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ASTA KRIKŠČIŪNAITĖ (soprano)
Organ: RENATA MARCINKUTĖ LESIEUR, LEOPOLDAS DIGRYS

Love at first sight, a wedding in occupied Vilnius, a refugee fate and a new life on the other side of the Atlantic ocean. Such was a life story of 70 years together of Alexandra and Joseph Kazickas, a story fit for the big screen. This eminent philanthropic pair is the finest example of nurturing the Lithuanian world view, a civil spirit and warmth towards one’s fellow human beings.

Tuesday, August 25 @ 7 pm
St Casimir’s Church (34 Didžioji St, Vilnius)

AIVARS KALĒJS (organ, Latvia)
MARTINA DOEHRING (soprano, Germany)

One of the most prominent artists in Latvia – the composer, pianist and organ player Aivars Kalejs is constantly surprising audiences with his creative whims, productivity and premieres. And for this appearance in Šiauliai, he’s put together a program of classical masterpieces with his long-term stage partner, the soprano Martina Doehring.
According to the performers, they don’t try to go too much out of their way to amaze audiences. Yet they usually have the opposite effect – rather, the performers are often overwhelmed by the applauding public, basking in rays of warmth and appreciation – a scenario that is even repeated at halls most spoilt for musical novelties.

Program features J. S. Bach, L. van Beethoven, G. F. Haendel, F. Chopin, A. Kalejs.

Saturday, August 29 @ 6 pm 
Klaipėda Church of St Francis of Assisi (4 Savanorių St, Klaipėda)

JUAN PARADELL SOLÉ (organ, the Vatican)

Imagine your workplace is the envy of millions of tourists – the breath-taking Sistine Chapel or St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican…

For Juan Paradell Solé, a guest of the Sacred Music Hours cycle, there’s no need to just dream, because he is the organ player at the Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica. If that weren’t enough, he’s also a professor in organ and Gregorian chanting at the Licino Refice Conservatory  in Frosinone and the honorary president of several organ music associations. The performer’s concert tour routes range from Europe to Syria, and this year he’ll be treating audiences in  Klaipėda for the first time ever!

Program features J. S. Bach, A. Vivaldi, C. Franck, E. Bossi, L. Vierne

Sunday, August 30 @ 1:30 pm
Šiauliai Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (57 Gegužių St, Šiauliai)

AIVARS KALĒJS (organ, Latvia)
MARTINA DOEHRING (soprano, Germany)

One of the most prominent artists in Latvia – the composer, pianist and organ player Aivars Kalejs is constantly surprising audiences with his creative whims, productivity and premieres. And for this appearance in Šiauliai, he’s put together a program of classical masterpieces with his long-term stage partner, the soprano Martina Doehring.
According to the performers, they don’t try to go too much out of their way to amaze audiences. Yet they usually have the opposite effect – rather, the performers are often overwhelmed by the applauding public, basking in rays of warmth and appreciation – a scenario that is even repeated at halls most spoilt for musical novelties.

Program features J. S. Bach, L. van Beethoven, G. F. Haendel, F. Chopin, A. Kalejs.

Tuesday, September 1 @ 7 pm  
St Casimir’s Church (34 Didžioji St, Vilnius)

JAUNA MUZIKA Vilnius City Municipality Chamber Choir
Conductor VACLOVAS AUGUSTINAS

The pandemic is far from the gift the Jauna muzika choir expected to receive for their 30th anniversary. However, one of the most resilient and innovative Lithuanian collectives can maintain their creative capabilities even in this kind of situation – as part of the Sacred Music Hours cycle, they will perform a whole bouquet of world premieres born in this abruptly altered world we live in. They include the work Da pacem, Domine by the choir’s artistic director and conductor Vaclovas Augustinas that earned the attention and admiration of audiences when it was performed by a virtual choir. This time, it is your chance to hear it live!

Program features M. Hale, J. Kubilius, G. J. Pujats, V. Augustinas and others

Tuesday, September 8 @ 7 pm  
St Casimir’s Church (34 Didžioji St, Vilnius)

MARIA PERUCKA (violin, Poland)
ROMAN PERUCKI (organ, Poland)

Over 2,500 concerts, tour routes stretching from Europe to Australia, the most famous concert halls and shrines around the world – including the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg, and more. This is not just empty statistical data, but actually the result of Roman Perucki’s unrelenting dedication to organ music.

He will appear as part of the Sacred Music Hours cycle with his wife and stage partner – violinist Maria Perucka. According to the performer, their joint performances are always special: “when we understand one another without words, there’s a kind of “chemistry”. We don’t try to surprise audiences especially, but the effect usually exceeds all our expectations. That’s why I like to repeat that there’s no better duet than a family duet”, says Perucki smiling.
So, will you become fans of this duet as well?

Tuesday, September 15 @ 7 pm  
St Casimir’s Church (34 Didžioji St, Vilnius)

CHRISTOPH SCHOENER (organ, Germany)

Christoph Schoener is one of the most famous church musicians of his generation, highly valued by critics for his expression and stylish and tasteful interpretations.

Following studies in Heidelberg, Freiburg, Paris and Amsterdam, numerous concert opportunities were at his fingertips. Nonetheless, the organ player dedicated most of his attention to his activities at St Michael’s Church in Hamburg, where he has been the artistic director since 1998. This elaborate Baroque shrine is one of the city’s symbols and one of the five most important Lutheran churches in Hamburg. Under the leadership of Schoener, festive concert performances of the Christmas oratorio and St Matthew Passion by J. S. Bach or Brahms’ Requiem have become traditional events in the city.

As a soloist, Schoener has organised recitals in the main churches of Europe, Israel, the United States and South Africa, and has released numerous CD recordings, two of which have received ECHO-Klassik awards. Aside from his solo performances, he also takes part in pedagogical activities, heads master classes and participates in competitions as a member of the jury.

Friday, September 18 @ 7 pm
St Casimir’s Church (34 Didžioji St, Vilnius)

Dedicated to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Aleksandra Kalvėnaitė Kazickienė

Soloist IRENA MILKEVIČIŪTĖ (soprano)
Organ: RENATA MARCINKUTĖ LESIEUR, LEOPOLDAS DIGRYS

It is symbolic that as Lithuania celebrates 30 years since the restoration of its independence, so too do we mark 100 years since the birth of Aleksandra Kalvėnaitė Kazickienė.

This woman, who endured the torment of war and the fate of a refugee, before creating a new life with her husband in the United States, never forgot her roots. She became one of the most prominent activists in diaspora, preserving, spreading and nurturing the Lithuanian spirit in a variety of ways.
A. Kazickienė dreamt of singing on the big stage, yet she became a safe haven for her family, and a symbol of strength, love and patriotism for all of us.

Let this concert be our modest tribute to a truly great figure.

Program features T. Albinoni, A. Caccini, G. Verdi, C. Franck, F. Latėnas

Tuesday, September 22 @  7 pm
St Casimir’s Church (34 Didžioji St, Vilnius)

GIAMPAOLO DI ROSA (organ, Italy/Portugal)

Studies with the finest professors from Italy, Germany and France, eight higher education diplomas and multiple talents to astound both professionals and fans.

This is the organ player, pianist, harpsichord player, improvisor, composer, musicologist and teacher Giampaolo di Rosa. The distinguishing feature of this performer is the originality of his interpretations and exceptionally broad repertoire: you’ll find works from each epoch, as well as all the compositions for organ by C. Frank, F. Liszt, R. Schumann and J. S. Bach.
Incidentally, not a single performance by Giampaolo di Rosa can go without impressive virtuosi improvisations based on a theme suggested by the public. So, before coming to this concert, keep your favourite melody in mind – perhaps it will become the cherry on top of this recital?

Program features J. S. Bach, R. Schumann, D. Scarlatti, G. di Rosa and others