This summer, the Čiurlionis family orchard will once again resound with the music of the “60th Summer of Piano Music”! The piano music festival, which continues the tradition of musical sharing initiated by composer and painter M. K. Čiurlionis himself, holds special significance this year—not only because it celebrates its 60th edition, but also as we mark Čiurlionis’ 150th anniversary. The return to the Čiurlionis orchard in Druskininkai thus takes on a deeply meaningful tone.

The apple orchard of the Čiurlionis House-Museum in Druskininkai will once again welcome audiences to hear some of the most renowned Lithuanian pianists from across generations, each presenting their latest artistic explorations. One of the performers is pianist Jurgis Karnavičius, a laureate of international competitions.

The programme features piano works by M. K. Čiurlionis and G. Fauré. "G. Fauré (1845–1924) composed thirteen Nocturnes, which are among the finest examples of the genre in the global piano literature. Following the tradition initiated by J. Field and F. Chopin, Fauré reveals in his Nocturnes the subtlest poetry, passionate and intimate lyricism, and an exceptionally refined style. Written over several decades, these pieces also illustrate the remarkable evolution of the composer’s style – from gentle romanticism to the modern aesthetics of the early 20th century. The selected Fauré Nocturnes presented in this concert will undoubtedly allow listeners to feel the extraordinary beauty of this music,” shares pianist Jurgis Karnavičius about the programme.

Jurgis Karnavičius was born in Vilnius into a well-known musical family. His artistic development as a pianist was shaped by his teachers: Edmundas Gedgaudas at the M. K. Čiurlionis National School of Arts, his father, pianist Prof. Jurgis Karnavičius at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, and Prof. Lev Naumov during his postgraduate assistantship at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory.

J. Karnavičius has received awards at the Republican M. K. Čiurlionis Competition in Vilnius (First Prize, 1978) and at international competitions in Germany, Austria, the USA, and Italy. His repertoire spans a wide range of piano music from various styles and periods, with a special focus on the works of Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Liszt, Brahms, and French composers. The pianist performs solo, with orchestras, and in chamber ensembles. He is also a frequent stage partner of his wife, soprano Sigutė Stonytė. In recent years, Karnavičius has been an active participant in the Gaida Ensemble’s contemporary music programmes.

He has toured extensively in European countries, the USA, Canada, and South Korea. Jurgis Karnavičius is also a professor at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, where he has trained numerous international competition laureates. Since 2011, he has headed the Academy’s Piano Department. The pianist also serves on juries of various competitions and leads interpretation seminars in Lithuania and masterclasses abroad.

--- --- ---

EVENT INFORMATION

Date and time: July 12, 2025, 5 PM

Venue: M. K. Čiurlionis House-Museum

Address: M. K. Čiurlionio g. 35, Druskininkai

Duration: ~1 hour

Tickets: €8 / €5, available at the venue before the concert

More: HERE

--- --- ---

ORGANIZERS

Impetus Musicus

Contact: impetusmusicus@gmail.com / +370 (686) 96 633

M. K. Čiurlionis House-Museum

Contact: ciurlioniomemorialinis@ciurlionis.lt / +370 313 51131

“60th Piano Summer” Concert: Jurgis Karnavičius

“60th Piano Summer” Concert: Jurgis Karnavičius

Date

Location