London Symphony Orchestra opens Vilnius Festival

At the opening concert of Vilnius Festival 2009 yesterday, the London Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Valery Gergiev, a renowned expert in Russian music, performed symphonic works by Stravinsky and Rachmaninov with a world premiere of Rodion Shchedrin’s symphonic fresco Lithuanian Saga (commissioned by the Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009).

With this programme, London Symphony Orchestra will hold several concerts in major European cities to celebrate Vilnius as the European Capital of Culture 2009.

This year the Festival, scheduled for May 13th – 29th, is dedicated to Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009.

The programme of the Vilnius Festival 2009 comprises four orchestral concerts and two chamber music programmes. Although dominated by the canonical scores of the European classics, nearly all concerts will also feature either the recently discovered versions of the well-known pieces, or first performances of newly written works and rarities from the distant historical epochs.

The concert programmes will offer an assortment of music from different regions, times and styles, including German Baroque polyphony, refined French sound and the flamenco inspirations captured in the Spanish guitar repertoire.

From May 13th to 16th, the Vilnius Festival 2009 will also host the General Assembly and Conference of the European Festivals Association (EFA).

For more information, visit Vilniusfestival.lt.