CLASSIC +Ensemble „CLASSIC +“:
Julija Karaliūnaitė (soprano)
Simona Zbarauskaitė (piano)
Viktorija Smailytė (harp)
Agnė Dūkštaitė (accordion)
Founded by its members, the ensemble „CLASSIC+“ debuted in 2017. An important field in the ensemble activities is contemporary music. The ensemble was invited to perform the unique programs at international festivals „Accordion festival 2018“, „Batery 2018“, „Culture night“. The ensemble performs concerts in different concert venues in Lithuania constantly. The repertoire combines unique works dedicated especially to the ensemble, contemporary and classical music arrangements also. In 2020 the ensemble was funded by Lithuanian Arts Council so it could start to produce the first label dedicated to the music works of XXI Lithuanian women composers. The unique structure of the ensemble has a lot of opportunities to create an interesting sound possibilities.
Opera singer Julija Karaliūnaitė sings in Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre. She is a laureat of various vocal competitions among which is the international vocal competition in Rome (Italy). Also she performs vocal parts in the joint international Sweden, Estonian, Norwegian and Lithuanian contemporary music project NB8 ART, gave a recital in Copenhagen (Denmark), participated in contemporary music festival “Ultima” in Oslo (Norway). Currently is invited to participate in the “Jerusalem Summer Opera Festival”.
Simona Zbarauskaitė is Lithuanian pianist. Studied classical piano at Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. Participated in master classes of famous pianists, most notably Prof. R. Krüger (Germany) and Prof. Karl T. Tawastsjerna (Finland), among others. Also took lessons of acting art at the Little academy of theatre and the Lithuanian academy of music and theatre. Performs as a soloist, accompanist and a member of different chamber ensembles based in Nordic and Baltic countries. Constantly participates in various music festivals and international projects. Currently working at the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra in Vilnius.Harpist Viktorija Smailytė in 2010 got master degree of harp and chamber music at Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. She also studied in Italy (Udine, 2007) with Prof. Patrizia Tassini and in Norway (Oslo, 2009) with Prof. Willy Postma. Viktorija attended various masterclasses in Vilnius, Riga, Amsterdam, London, Oslo. She participated in the festivals and played chamber music concerts in Stockholm, Oslo, Belfort, played in 20 harp orchestra Ventaglio d'Arpe (Italy). She is a member of various chamber music ensembles. At present she plays in Kaunas City Symphony Orchestra, Kaunas Musical Theatre and teaches in a music school.
Agnė Dūkštaitė is Lithuanian accordion player of young generation, who performs as a soloist and as a member of various ensembles. She graduated from the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theater with a master's degree, also studied in Spain, at the University of the Basque Country, in the class of the famous performer and professor Inaki Alberdi. She is currently preparing a doctoral project in art in which she delves into the peculiarities of bellows control and seeks to reveal the relevant, top artistic level of accordion repertoire. Agnė is a prize winner of national and international competitions in Italy, Germany, Ukraine, Latvia, a participant of various national and international festivals. In concert programs she chooses to perform a repertoire that is high in its artistic value and seeks to present the accordion intellectually and topically. Those programs consist almost exclusively of the original modern repertoire as well as various premieres of new pieces.
NB8 ART ensemble
NB8 ART ensemble is formed by the artists from Sweden, Norway, Estonia and Lithuania. The performances of NB8 ART are synthesis of contemporary live electronic music and live visual arts.
On the screen the audience can see the stories created in real time.
NB8 ART ensemble started to create and to perform together in 2015 and since then already had several performances in Stockholm, concert tours in Lithuania and in Gotland.
Each member of the ensemble is a professional well known in his country artist. The variety of the artists and their instruments let to create very interesting combinations of sounds and visuals. Also in the music and the visual projections a lot of space for improvisation is left what makes each performance of the group very unique and special.
P A R T I C I P A N T S
ROBERT JÜRJENDAL (guitar, electronics, Estonia) – guitarist and
composer, studied classical guitar and composition (Prof. Anti Marguste) at
Tallinn Georg Ots Music School. In 1992-1997 he participated in Guitar
Craft Courses, leaded by guitarist Robert Fripp (UK). He has written music
for classical and contemporary guitar, cembalo, mixed ensembles and
choirs; documentaries, theatre and art exhibitions. He has worked with
Weekend Guitar Trio, Fragile, UMA, Una Corda, Vox Clamantis, Estonian
Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Jan Bang, Tim Bowness, etc. In 2013 he got a
Master degree in Music Education at Estonian Academy of Theatre and
Music. He was awarded Musician of The Year 2016 by Estonian
Broadcasting. At present works as a freelancer guitarist and composer.
robertjyrjendal.com
JAN LILJEKVIST (violin, percussion, live electronics etc, Sweden) - swedish composer and musician. Makes music in several genres: rock, jazz, for dance performance, theatre, radio theatre, short movies, art installations etc. Studied electro-acoustic composition with Lars-Gunnar Bodin, Rolf Enström, Anders Blomkvist and Erik Mikael Karlsson at the EMS studio in Stockholm during the years 1996 – 2000. Member of the Society of Swedish Composers (FST) since 2003.
jayneinsane.se
SIMONA ZBARAUSKAITĖ (piano, Lithuania) has studied classical piano with Prof. Rokas Zubovas at Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. Had lessons with famous pianists, most notably with Prof. R. Krüger (Germany) and Prof. Karl T. Tawastsjerna (Finland), among others. Also took lessons of acting art at a Little academy of theatre and Lithuanian academy of music and theatre. Constantly participates in various music festivals and projects. Performs not only as a soloist but also like an accompanist and with chamber ensembles. Works at the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra in Vilnius.
JULIJA KARALIŪNAITĖ (opera singer, soprano, Lithuania) studied at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre with Prof. Irena Milkevičiūtė. She sings in Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre from 2012. In her repertoire is both classical and contemporary music. In 2013 J. Karaliūnaitė became a laureat of the international vocal competition in Italy. Julija Karaliūnaitė also studied Mathematics in Vilnius University and in 2010 got a PhD in Mathematics.
karaliunaite.lt
VIKTORIJA SMAILYTĖ (harpist, Lithuania) in 2010 got master degree of harp and chamber music at Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. She also studied in Italy (Udine, 2007) with Prof. Patrizia Tassini and in Norway (Oslo, 2009) with Prof. Willy Postma. Viktorija attended various masterclasses in Vilnius, Riga, Amsterdam, London, Oslo. She participated in the festivals and played chamber music concerts in Stockholm, Oslo, Belfort, played in 20 harp orchestra Ventaglio d'Arpe (Italy). She is a member of various chamber music ensembles. At present she plays in Kaunas City Symphony Orchestra, Kaunas Musical Theatre and teaches in a music school.
STEINAR YGGESETH (composer, Norway) in 2016 got Master in composition in Norwegian Academy of Music with the teachers Henrik Hellstenius, Asbjørn, Peter Tornquist, Olav Anton Thommessen and Bjørn Kruse. He held a number of workshops and concerts together with the Esbjerg Ensemble, Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, the Norwegian Wind Ensemble and the Radio Orchestra. At present works in Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra.
JŪRATĖ REKEVIČIŪTĖ (print artist, Lithuania) – well known Lithuanian artist. Graduated Vilnius Academy of Arts (1996). Made solo and participated in group exhibitions in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Germany, Belgium, USA, Spain, Romania, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Russia, Poland. Made the first virtual exhibition in Lithuania (2016). At present is invited to participate in Lithuania Now Art Project (2017, London). Together with Ričardas Rickevičius was a curator of the international Print Biennial NOW ART NOW FUTURE (2005-2008). Member of Lithuanian Artists’ Association since 1997.
jurart.eu
RIČARDAS RICKEVIČIUS (video projections, video director, Lithuania). At the present time: TV director, producer. Videographer, video artist. In the past: Senior TV Director on National TV Channels: LNK (Laisvas Nepriklausomas Kanalas, Lithuania), TV3 (Viasat Group, Lithuania).
Ensemble „CLASSIC +“:
Julija Karaliūnaitė (soprano)
Simona Zbarauskaitė (piano)
Viktorija Smailytė (harp)
Agnė Dūkštaitė (accordion)
Founded by its members, the ensemble „CLASSIC+“ debuted in 2017. An important field in the ensemble activities is contemporary music. The ensemble was invited to perform the unique programs at international festivals „Accordion festival 2018“, „Batery 2018“, „Culture night“. The ensemble performs concerts in different concert venues in Lithuania constantly. The repertoire combines unique works dedicated especially to the ensemble, contemporary and classical music arrangements also. In 2020 the ensemble was funded by Lithuanian Arts Council so it could start to produce the first label dedicated to the music works of XXI Lithuanian women composers. The unique structure of the ensemble has a lot of opportunities to create an interesting sound possibilities.
Opera singer Julija Karaliūnaitė sings in Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre. She is a laureat of various vocal competitions among which is the international vocal competition in Rome (Italy). Also she performs vocal parts in the joint international Sweden, Estonian, Norwegian and Lithuanian contemporary music project NB8 ART, gave a recital in Copenhagen (Denmark), participated in contemporary music festival “Ultima” in Oslo (Norway). Currently is invited to participate in the “Jerusalem Summer Opera Festival”.
Simona Zbarauskaitė is Lithuanian pianist. Studied classical piano at Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. Participated in master classes of famous pianists, most notably Prof. R. Krüger (Germany) and Prof. Karl T. Tawastsjerna (Finland), among others. Also took lessons of acting art at the Little academy of theatre and the Lithuanian academy of music and theatre. Performs as a soloist, accompanist and a member of different chamber ensembles based in Nordic and Baltic countries. Constantly participates in various music festivals and international projects. Currently working at the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra in Vilnius.Harpist Viktorija Smailytė in 2010 got master degree of harp and chamber music at Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. She also studied in Italy (Udine, 2007) with Prof. Patrizia Tassini and in Norway (Oslo, 2009) with Prof. Willy Postma. Viktorija attended various masterclasses in Vilnius, Riga, Amsterdam, London, Oslo. She participated in the festivals and played chamber music concerts in Stockholm, Oslo, Belfort, played in 20 harp orchestra Ventaglio d'Arpe (Italy). She is a member of various chamber music ensembles. At present she plays in Kaunas City Symphony Orchestra, Kaunas Musical Theatre and teaches in a music school.
Agnė Dūkštaitė is Lithuanian accordion player of young generation, who performs as a soloist and as a member of various ensembles. She graduated from the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theater with a master's degree, also studied in Spain, at the University of the Basque Country, in the class of the famous performer and professor Inaki Alberdi. She is currently preparing a doctoral project in art in which she delves into the peculiarities of bellows control and seeks to reveal the relevant, top artistic level of accordion repertoire. Agnė is a prize winner of national and international competitions in Italy, Germany, Ukraine, Latvia, a participant of various national and international festivals. In concert programs she chooses to perform a repertoire that is high in its artistic value and seeks to present the accordion intellectually and topically. Those programs consist almost exclusively of the original modern repertoire as well as various premieres of new pieces.
