Petras Vyšniauskas, a recipient of the Lithuanian National Culture and Arts Award, is one of Lithuania’s most prominent musicians, whose creative journey continually transcends the boundaries of different musical worlds. A jazz saxophonist, improviser, composer, and champion of Lithuanian musical traditions, he has been developing his own unique musical language for decades—one that blends improvisation, classical music, jazz, and folklore. One evening, his saxophone might blend into the melody of a folk song; the next, it might resonate alongside the world’s jazz masters or a symphony orchestra. His sound blends vigor, lyricism, and the ability to transform every musical phrase into a unique narrative.
In the program “Song of the Soul,” P. Vyšniauskas’s creative freedom will shine alongside composers whose music also features a distinct individual artistic language. The pulsating tango of Ástor Piazzolla, the Nordic jazz hues of Jan Magne Førde, and the spirit of South African music embedded in Abdullah Ibrahim’s melodies will merge into a cohesive musical narrative, in which each piece will become a unique song of the soul —a story told without words.
The musical dialogue between the Klaipėda Brass Quintet and P. Vyšniauskas will bring new timbral colors to this program. The combination of saxophone and brass instruments will offer a fresh perspective on familiar pieces, while the freedom of improvisation and the energy of the moment created by the performers will transform each piece into a unique musical experience.
