Since 2020, the Tytuvėnai Festival, the Lithuanian National Philharmonic, and the M. K. Čiurlionis House in Vilnius have been organizing annual concerts to commemorate the birthday of Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis (1875–1911).

This initiative has fostered a meaningful tradition—celebrating the birthday of this exceptional Lithuanian artist through performances by renowned pianists from Lithuania and around the world. By including Čiurlionis’ works in their concert programs, international performers help promote Lithuanian culture and this great artist’s legacy on the global stage.

This long-standing collaboration has laid the foundation for a new chapter: in September 2025, marking the 150th anniversary of M. K. Čiurlionis’ birth, music lovers are invited to attend one of the largest piano music festivals in the Baltic region. Each evening of the festival will feature a new duo of world-class pianists paying tribute to Čiurlionis.

This year, the festival welcomes a new partner—Vilnius Old Theatre, a venue renowned for its exceptional acoustics, ideally suited for piano recitals.

In the first part of the evening, Andrius Žlabys, the internationally acclaimed Lithuanian pianist currently based in the United States, will perform. In the second half, Norwegian piano star Håvard Gimse will take the stage.

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PROGRAMME

PART I

Performed by Andrius Žlabys

PART II

Performed by Håvard Gimse

❯ Edvard Grieg

Wedding March of the Goblins, Op. 72 No. 14

Gjendine’s Lullaby, Op. 66 No. 19

The Poet’s Heart, Op. 52 No. 3

❯ Carl Nielsen

Folk Song, Op. 3 No. 1

Mignon, Op. 3 No. 4

The Doll’s March, Op. 11 No. 5

The Spinning Top, Op. 11 No. 2

❯ Wilhelm Stenhammar

Two pieces from the cycle Late Summer Nights, Op. 33

❯ Jean Sibelius

Little Waltz, Op. 40 No. 1

Elegy, Op. 76 No. 1

Children’s Piece, Op. 76 No. 1

❯ Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis

Prelude in B Major, VL 186

Nocturne in F-sharp Minor, VL 178

Prelude The Angelus, VL 184

Impromptu in F-sharp Minor, VL 181

Prelude in F Minor, VL 197

Little Song, VL 199

Mazurka in E-flat Minor, VL 222

Prelude in A Minor, VL 230

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PERFORMERS

Håvard Gimse is one of Scandinavia’s most prominent pianists, known for his bold, expansive repertoire. His artistic career includes over 30 piano concertos performed across Europe and beyond. In addition to his work as a soloist, he is highly regarded as a chamber music partner among leading Scandinavian musicians.

“It’s rare to hear a pianist play with such apparent ease as Håvard Gimse. The music seems to flow naturally, allowing him to fully immerse himself in it,” wrote Independent.co.uk following his performance at the prestigious Wigmore Hall in London.

After graduating from Berlin’s Hochschule der Künste under Hans Leygraf, Gimse continued his studies with Czech-Norwegian professor Jiri Hlinka. He is a laureate of many prestigious competitions, including 1st prize at Jugend Musiziert (1987), the Steinway Prize (1995), the Grieg Prize (1996), and the Norwegian Critics’ Award for his performance of Beethoven’s cello sonatas with Truls Mørk at the Bergen International Festival. His recordings are released by leading classical labels such as Sony Classical, Chandos, Simax, and Naxos. Gimse has performed in many of the world’s top venues, including Carnegie Hall (New York), Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), Wigmore Hall (London), and Konzerthaus (Berlin).

Andrius Žlabys, a Grammy-nominated Lithuanian pianist based in the United States, is a frequent performer on the international stage and regularly returns to Lithuania for concerts. He has performed with leading ensembles such as the New York and Buenos Aires Philharmonics, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Cleveland Orchestra, and the Rotterdam Symphony, among others. His solo recitals have been featured in major concert halls including Carnegie Hall (New York), Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), Wigmore Hall (London), Phillips Collection (Washington), Teatro Colón (Buenos Aires), Musikverein (Vienna), and Suntory Hall (Tokyo).

Žlabys has appeared at leading international festivals, including the Menuhin Festival (Switzerland), Lockenhaus Festival (Austria), and Caramoor Music Festival (USA). His 2012 debut at the Salzburg Festival included a performance with the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra, conducted by Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, establishing a beautiful link back to his Lithuanian roots.

Žlabys’ rise in the U.S. was swift: soon after beginning his studies at the Curtis Institute of Music, he drew critical acclaim. The Chicago Tribune praised him as “one of the most gifted young pianists of recent years,” while The New York Sun described him as “a radiant hope among pianists.” His performances are consistently praised for their virtuosity (The Strad), rich and enveloping sound (The Philadelphia Inquirer), spellbinding interpretation (The Plain Dealer), and profound musical insight (The Greenville News).

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EVENT INFORMATION

Date & Time: September 18, 2025, 6:30 PM

Venue: Vilnius Old Theatre

Address: J. Basanavičiaus St. 13, Vilnius

Duration: ~2 hours

More: HERE

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ORGANIZERS

Tytuvėnai Festival

Contact: info@tytuvenai.lt / +370 620 622 94

M. K. Čiurlionis House

Contact: mkc.namai@gmail.com / +370 646 53 503

Vilnius Old Theatre

Contact: administracija@senasis.lt / +370 5 262 7133

Program

“World Piano Stars Salute M. K. Čiurlionis” concert: Andrius Žlabys and Håvard Gimse

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