“Čiurlionis and Debussy” – a subtle musical journey where the Mettis String Quartet and harpist Liucilė Vilimaitė reveal the beauty of Lithuanian and European musical traditions.

The 13th International M. K. Čiurlionis Music Festival invites audiences to experience the rare and unique combination of string quartet and harp on one stage – a distinctive concert program. The Mettis String Quartet is one of the leading Lithuanian chamber music ensembles and a winner of multiple international awards. Liucilė Vilimaitė is among the most talented harpists of the young generation, actively performing at prestigious European concert halls and festivals.

The program Čiurlionis and Debussy invites listeners into a rich emotional and cultural world. M. K. Čiurlionis’s String Quartet in C minor is deeply rooted in the spirit of Lithuanian identity and national heritage, while Claude Debussy’s compositions – the String Quartet in G minor and “Sacred and Profane Dances” for harp and strings – embody the lightness and refinement of French impressionism. Completing the program is Arnold Bax’s Quintet for Harp and Strings, a work full of romantic expression and lush textures, enriching the evening with the colors of British music.

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PROGRAM:

❯ Mikalojus Konstantinas ČIURLIONIS (1875–1911)

String Quartet in C minor, VL 83

❯ Claude DEBUSSY (1862–1918)

String Quartet in G minor, Op. 10

Danse sacrée et danse profane for harp and strings

❯ Arnold BAX (1883–1953)

Quintet for Harp and Strings, GP 214

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ABOUT THE PERFORMERS:

The Mettis String Quartet is one of Lithuania’s most outstanding chamber ensembles, founded in 2012 at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. The group later refined its artistry at the European Chamber Music Academy (ECMA), studying with some of the world’s leading pedagogues.

The quartet is a 2nd Prize winner of the 8th International Bordeaux String Quartet Competition (France) and the winner of the 9th V. E. Rimbotti International String Quartet Competition (Italy).

Mettis has performed in many renowned venues, including Wigmore Hall (London), Konzerthaus (Berlin), Laeiszhalle (Hamburg), Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (Lisbon), Washington Gallery of Art (USA), Tel Aviv Museum of Art (Israel), YMCA (Jerusalem), and Hôtel des Invalides (Paris). The ensemble has also appeared in major festivals such as Montpellier Radio France, Aix-en-Provence, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Luberon, Vilnius Festival, among others.

In 2015, the quartet released its debut CD. In 2017, they toured China, and in 2018 made their debut in Israel, Panama, the United States, and Canada. In 2019, they returned to China and released a collaborative album with pianist Mūza Rubackytė. In 2020, they released their latest CD featuring works by L. van Beethoven.

Mettis is known not only for its technical excellence but also for its imaginative interpretations that blend tradition with innovation.

Liucilė U. Vilimaitė is a harpist and composer with a special interest in experimental performance practices. She began her musical education at the Balys Dvarionas Music School in Vilnius and later graduated with a Master’s degree from the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague in 2022.

Liucilė has performed extensively in Lithuania and abroad, collaborating with orchestras such as the Klaipėda Chamber Orchestra, St. Christopher Chamber Orchestra, and Vilnius University Orchestra. She has also toured the Netherlands and performed with the South Netherlands Philharmonic. In 2021, she premiered a new piece by Algirdas Martinaitis, and in 2023 gave the world premiere of Meredith Monk’s Indra’s Net.

She is a multiple competition laureate, winning the National Balys Dvarionas Young Performers Competition three times and becoming the absolute winner of an international music competition in Italy in 2013. Her compositions were performed in Lithuania and the Netherlands in 2018–2019. She has also participated in the World Harp Congress and the Britten–Pears Young Artist Programme for performers and composers.

In 2014, Liucilė received a formal recognition from the President of Lithuania, Dalia Grybauskaitė, for her musical achievements.

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EVENT INFORMATION

Date & Time: July 9, 2025, 8:00 PM

Venue: Palanga Kurhaus Concert Hall, Palanga

Address: Grafų Tiškevičių Ave. 1, Palanga

Duration: ~1.5 hours

Tickets: HERE

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ORGANIZERS

Public Institution “Klasika LT”

Contact: info@ciurlionisfestival.com / +370 650 63373

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