On February 4-9, Vilnius will pulsate with the rhythms of contemporary experimental and improvisational music - the international festival-workshop "ContemPLAY" will be held for the second time.
The festival is distinguished by its format: international creative workshops held at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theater are complemented by concerts for the Vilnius audience at the Lithuanian Composers' Union, Kompresorinė "Ideas Block", St. Catherine's Church, as well as discussions, presentations of creative ideas and open improvisation sessions. The initiators and artistic directors of the festival-creative workshop are professors of the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theater prof. Vykintas Baltakas, Assoc. Liudas Mockūnas and Assoc. Mantautas Krukauskas.
ContemPLAY is a unique space that synergizes the possibilities of musical innovation, creativity and collaboration, where the most influential traditions and contexts of contemporary and improvisational music meet. It is not only a series of concerts, but also a platform for intensive workshops, which allows both experienced artists and young, emerging talents to explore the boundaries of music and create relevant, engaging and inspiring musical and sound experiences", says one of the organizers of the festival, the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theater Mantautas Krukauskas, head of the Center for Music Innovation Studies.
Event attracted to Vilnius such stars of contemporary experimental and improvisational music as composers Ayal Adler (Israel) and Sidney Corbett (JAV/Germany), saxophonist improviser Frank Gratkowski (Germany) and others.
The festival starts on February 4, Sunday, with a concert at the Lithuanian Composers' Union. Here you will be able to hear the compositions of LENsemble / Trio Kaskadas, Paula Bagotyriūtė performed by Ayal Adler, Vykintos Baltaks, Naomi Beeldens, Sidney Corbett, Mantautos Krukauskas, Liuds Mockūnas, Alejandro Olarte.
Fans of contemporary improvisational music should catch the attention of February 7. "ImproPLAY" - "Improdimensijos" to be held at the Lithuanian Composers' Union concert, in which Frank Gratkowski (saxophone, clarinets), Anne Liis Poll (voice), Anto Pett (piano), Arnas Mikalkėnas (percussion), Liudas Mockūnas (saxophones, clarinets) will participate.
February 8 modern music will sound in St. Catherine's Church. The "LigetiPLAY" concert program will include the compositions of one of the most influential creators of avant-garde music, György Ligeti, famous Italian composer Salvatore Sciarrino, Vykintas Baltaks, as well as the premiere of a work by Rytis Mažulis, and the music will be performed by "LENsemble", St. Kristoforos Chamber Orchestra, Motiejus Bazaras, Salomeja Kalvelytė, conductor - V. Baltakas.
The finale of the festival - even two concerts, on February 9. held at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theater. In the big hall, the joint "ContemPLAY" ensemble will perform the compositions of Asja Kadic, Ethan Blackburn, Ieva Raubytė, Karolis Dabulskis, the premiere of Noel Ayar. In the balcony theater, the festival-workshop will end with a concert of improvisational and jointly created music. It is an event that crowns all the creative ideas of the festival and new discoveries of the participants and the audience, presenting the musical projects implemented by the students during the creative workshop.
On February 5, 7 and 8, free improvisation sessions "JamPLAY" will be held at "Ideas Block" - Kompresorina.
The organizers of the "ContemPLAY" festival are the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theater, the network of Lithuanian ensembles "LENsemble", "Improdimensija". Partners: Compressor "Ideas Block LT", Lithuanian Composers Union, St. Christopher Chamber Orchestra. The festival-workshop is supported by the Lithuanian Council of Culture, "Erasmus+".
