Welcome to my website, where you will find news, reviews, interviews, audio recordings and information about myself and my work as a composer, curator, performer and teacher based in London, UK.
I am lucky and grateful to be supported by
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Ruta Vitkauskaite is supported by PRS foundation's The Open Fund for Music Creators
Future EVENTS
2018
DAR-MoKS artist residency
August 16 - September 15
I am lucky to selected as artist in Residency at DAR (Lithuania, Druskininkai) and MoKS (Estonia). I will be working on Meditation Opera with Spatial Opera Company, and on my own song cycle Voice Cracks (also sometimes I call it by the main song - Ruta).
August 16 - September 15
I am lucky to selected as artist in Residency at DAR (Lithuania, Druskininkai) and MoKS (Estonia). I will be working on Meditation Opera with Spatial Opera Company, and on my own song cycle Voice Cracks (also sometimes I call it by the main song - Ruta).
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Walking Opera in Notting Hill
The Journey September 28, 13:00 and 17:00 London Experience of an opera in a form of a sound-walk. Lead by an usher, listeners will see and hear familiar streets of their city in a new way. The story of the opera will unfold as the statutes, frescos and objects of the city will come to life through arias and recitatives, and vocal folk choirs, and will tell a Baltic story untold. Voices of residents of the city and musical compositions created by them especially for this opera, will accompany the walk. As a surprise, live characters will appear involving you into their swirl of dance, or handing a brush to paint. And, if you dear, you will be able to contribute your very own voice for the final scene of the opera. The Walking Opera is strictly limited for 20 people. Duration of the Walking Opera is 1 hour, however maximum walking time is 30min. Please dress appropriately for the weather. This event is supported by PRS Foundation. For your free ticket sign up here. |
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Walking Opera at DMU Conference
September 22, Leicester I will be presenting Walking Opera at DMU conference - that seems to be a fantastic event curated by Leigh Landy. The theme of the conference is 'Bringing New Music to New Audiences'. |
CoMA Anniversary Concert
September 23, King's Place, London
My new work - Edge of Time, for CoMA orchestra and singers, will be premierred at the concert called Forest of Clocks, alongside of other great works: Philip Cashian’s magical odyssey for choir and orchestra The Forest of Clocks, French composer Michaël Lévinas’s swarming, otherworldly Trois Pensées pour CoMA, Howard Jones’ The Illusion of Progress. There will be plenty of family friendly workshops exploring new music on the day!
September 23, King's Place, London
My new work - Edge of Time, for CoMA orchestra and singers, will be premierred at the concert called Forest of Clocks, alongside of other great works: Philip Cashian’s magical odyssey for choir and orchestra The Forest of Clocks, French composer Michaël Lévinas’s swarming, otherworldly Trois Pensées pour CoMA, Howard Jones’ The Illusion of Progress. There will be plenty of family friendly workshops exploring new music on the day!
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Opera Confessions
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Past EVENTS
from 2018 June
Savęsp in Accodion Music Week
August 27, Vilnius
Commissioned by AccoAcademy and for and by Martynas Levickis and his string quartet SinChronic, this is a second arrangement for the accordion and strings orchestra, Mikroorkestra. The name - Savęsp - was suggested by performers themselves. It is a very old Lithuanian word, meaning 'inwards into yourself'. The piece is composed for the 100 years of Lithuanian independency, and uses interpretations of Lithuanian ancient songs sutartines rhythms and harmonies.
August 27, Vilnius
Commissioned by AccoAcademy and for and by Martynas Levickis and his string quartet SinChronic, this is a second arrangement for the accordion and strings orchestra, Mikroorkestra. The name - Savęsp - was suggested by performers themselves. It is a very old Lithuanian word, meaning 'inwards into yourself'. The piece is composed for the 100 years of Lithuanian independency, and uses interpretations of Lithuanian ancient songs sutartines rhythms and harmonies.
Meditation Opera
August 20, Druskininkai, Lithuania
Our Spatial Opera Company is starting a new project - Meditation Opera. It is a spatial opera that will immerse audience through active voice and sound meditation. The participants with become performers and explore the opera from outside and from within. There will be a trial performance in a secret location in Druskininkai, and if you would like to attend - contact me directly.
August 20, Druskininkai, Lithuania
Our Spatial Opera Company is starting a new project - Meditation Opera. It is a spatial opera that will immerse audience through active voice and sound meditation. The participants with become performers and explore the opera from outside and from within. There will be a trial performance in a secret location in Druskininkai, and if you would like to attend - contact me directly.
Composers + International Summer Academy
June 15 - 24, Lithuania
I am honored to be tutoring on this course for the fourth time, organized by accordionist Martynas Levickis. The 8 day course, in wonderful surroundings of Druskininkai resort in Lithuania, will focus on new music for accordion and strings, and explore creativity, imagination and composing. The programme will also include a concert series of the music not to be missed!
June 15 - 24, Lithuania
I am honored to be tutoring on this course for the fourth time, organized by accordionist Martynas Levickis. The 8 day course, in wonderful surroundings of Druskininkai resort in Lithuania, will focus on new music for accordion and strings, and explore creativity, imagination and composing. The programme will also include a concert series of the music not to be missed!
Opera Confessions
June 16, Birstonas, and June 19, Druskininkai, Lithuania
As part of Composers + Summer Academy
By our Spatial Opera Company - Jens Hedman (composer), Asa Nordgren (soprano) and me. The story is based on the concept of the seven deadly sins – Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy and Pride. In the opera we explore expressing our imagination through electronic surround in combination with acoustic surround sound. We also experiment with triggering your senses through elements like smell and touch. The opera is performed in the dark, to create an imaginative scenography.
June 16, Birstonas, and June 19, Druskininkai, Lithuania
As part of Composers + Summer Academy
By our Spatial Opera Company - Jens Hedman (composer), Asa Nordgren (soprano) and me. The story is based on the concept of the seven deadly sins – Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy and Pride. In the opera we explore expressing our imagination through electronic surround in combination with acoustic surround sound. We also experiment with triggering your senses through elements like smell and touch. The opera is performed in the dark, to create an imaginative scenography.
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Voice Exploration Workshops
as part of Walking Opera in Notting Hill July 12, 19:00 and July 14, 13:00, at Latvian House in London, 72 Queensborough Terrace W2 3SH Explore your voice with us - composer Ruta Vitkauskaite and singers. We are later to create a sound walk around familiar areas of London, where the intimate untold Baltic story will unfold. But now it is you who are important, - the people of London from all multicultural backgrounds. We would like your input, your insights, your reflections, and your contributions to our Baltic story. And we will share with you our knowledge of voice, opera and composing. It will be an honest meeting, through voice and singing Baltic songs together. The meeting will be in the shape of a musical workshop. We do not in any way expect you to be musical. All our work together – whether it is singing, thoughts, ideas, stories, sounds or even moves – during this workshop, we will blend into musical composition. This composition will become part of Walking Opera: a sound walk around areas of London. These events are supported by PRS Foundation and Lithuanian Arts Council. |
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Voice Cracks in London!
as part of BUILDING SITE ST PAUL's CHURCHYARD June 9, 15:00 First born during the Q-O2 residency in Brussels, Voice Cracks is a performantive song cycle and installation, where composer and performer Rūta Vitkauskaitė explores her own invented sound-words, and instead of conventional singing techniques – whisperings, breathings and imperfections of her voice. It starts with audio gradually growing sound installation, and the five songs emerge from it until the whole cycle concludes on ever-lasting bell meditation. The Voice Cracks will be performed through Silent Disco equipment, listeners will wear headphones that will submerge each attendee into surround of sounds while blocking out the world outside.The cycle is inspired by healing techniques, that resemble work of herbalists and healers of Baltic states and from the rest of the world. The songs are interlacing and anchoring around the main song in the cycle: 'Rūta'. This song is named after an ancient Lithuanian word, often encountered as onomatopoeia in traditional polyphonic songs: Sutartines. It is also a herb - a flower of virginity in Lithuanian folklore; a very strong antibiotic that provokes abortion in herbal medicine; and it also happens to be the name of the artist who created this work. |
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Orion arm on BBC Radio 3
June 6, BBC Radio 3, 21:20 written in 2011, and performed by Ludus Gravis at the Gaida festival that year, my composition made it's way into Susa festival's CDKlassisk, and now will be played by BBC Radio 3. The Orion Arm in astronomy is a minor spiral arm of the Milky Way, the Solar System and therefore the Earth lies within the Orion Arm. The idea for the composition is based on the sound movement between 8 double-bass instruments places in half-circle. There are 10 sections in this piece and I tried to explore aspects of spatial sound perception in each section in different ways - using the placement of the instruments or extended and classical techniques of playing that create different impressions of close and far away sounds. |
2015 September - 2018 May events are listed here
2015
Palendriai International Composers Meeting
August 14-22, Lithuania
I am honored to tutoring on this course, organized by accordionist Martynas Levickis. The 8 day course, in wonderful surroundings of St.Benedict Monastery in Lithuania, will focus on new music for accordion and strings, and explore creativity, imagination and composing. The programme will also include a talk on the modern music industry led by the artists' manager Bethany Alexander. Composers are welcome to apply! - http://www.palendriaimusic.com/application/
August 14-22, Lithuania
I am honored to tutoring on this course, organized by accordionist Martynas Levickis. The 8 day course, in wonderful surroundings of St.Benedict Monastery in Lithuania, will focus on new music for accordion and strings, and explore creativity, imagination and composing. The programme will also include a talk on the modern music industry led by the artists' manager Bethany Alexander. Composers are welcome to apply! - http://www.palendriaimusic.com/application/
'Muzikinis Pastisas' on LRT Classics
Radio interview
May 15, 12:12 Lithuanian time
Interviewed by Geruta Griniute for Lithuanian radio, after the 'Music Nail Of The Year' award for my piece Ashraga.
Radio interview
May 15, 12:12 Lithuanian time
Interviewed by Geruta Griniute for Lithuanian radio, after the 'Music Nail Of The Year' award for my piece Ashraga.
The Music Nail of The Year Award
Award by the Lithuanian Composer's Union for best compositions of the year
May 8
My composition for symphony orchestra and accordion 'Ashraga' got an award in category 'For the Creative Drive'.
Award by the Lithuanian Composer's Union for best compositions of the year
May 8
My composition for symphony orchestra and accordion 'Ashraga' got an award in category 'For the Creative Drive'.
Soundhub at Resonance FM
April 26, London
Robert Szymanec and me discussing uniqueness of voice, after hearing Tansy Davies' newest opera.
LRT Kultura, Teatras
April 24, Vilnius
Special Programme about operas at NOA festival 2015
April 24, Vilnius
Special Programme about operas at NOA festival 2015
The Most Excellent And Lamentable PLAN B
NOA festival
April 14, 18:30 , Lithuanian National Drama Theatre, Main Stage
Music, theatre and video performance based on the caricatures of Herluf Bidstrup
We are showing it for the third time - a creation of ex and current LMTA students, comissioned by Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. Director: Vidas Bareikis. Composer: Rūta Vitkauskaitė. Set designer: Simona Biekšaitė. Costume designer: Liuka Songailaitė, Conductor: Ričardas Šumila.
NOA festival
April 14, 18:30 , Lithuanian National Drama Theatre, Main Stage
Music, theatre and video performance based on the caricatures of Herluf Bidstrup
We are showing it for the third time - a creation of ex and current LMTA students, comissioned by Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. Director: Vidas Bareikis. Composer: Rūta Vitkauskaitė. Set designer: Simona Biekšaitė. Costume designer: Liuka Songailaitė, Conductor: Ričardas Šumila.
Opera SKYLE (The Hole)
April 16, 19:30, Professional Comunity Palace, Vilnius, Lithuania
NOA festival
Opera SKYLĖ, written in 2009 - will be performed for the third time. It is a story about parallel worlds, lives lived in parallel, being that never comes into contact, existence of the individual, the development and thriving of his inner world and about shock - anomaly and the supernatural, limits of apprehension and the infinity of the world... The chamber cast of the opera consists of 8 performers - each one of which is at the same time an instrumentalist, an artist, a singer, an actor and a dancer. In it's spirit of scenic image and drama SKYLĖ is close to a multimedia or a musical installation. It's story is integrated by scenic-musical "impulses", messages to the audience, allowing everyone to individually understand what this opera is about.
April 16, 19:30, Professional Comunity Palace, Vilnius, Lithuania
NOA festival
Opera SKYLĖ, written in 2009 - will be performed for the third time. It is a story about parallel worlds, lives lived in parallel, being that never comes into contact, existence of the individual, the development and thriving of his inner world and about shock - anomaly and the supernatural, limits of apprehension and the infinity of the world... The chamber cast of the opera consists of 8 performers - each one of which is at the same time an instrumentalist, an artist, a singer, an actor and a dancer. In it's spirit of scenic image and drama SKYLĖ is close to a multimedia or a musical installation. It's story is integrated by scenic-musical "impulses", messages to the audience, allowing everyone to individually understand what this opera is about.
Opera Confessions
NOA festival
April 17, 19:00, Professional Communities Palace, Vilnius, Lithuania
Spatial mono opera in the dark
By our Spatial Opera Company - Jens Hedman (composer), Asa Nordgren (soprano) and me. We tarted this project in 2010, and this will be our first FORMAL premiere! The story is based on the concept of the seven deadly sins – Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy and Pride. In the opera we explore expressing our imagination through electronic surround in combination with acoustic surround sound. We also experiment with triggering your senses through elements like smell and touch. The opera is performed in the dark, to create an imaginative scenography.
NOA festival
April 17, 19:00, Professional Communities Palace, Vilnius, Lithuania
Spatial mono opera in the dark
By our Spatial Opera Company - Jens Hedman (composer), Asa Nordgren (soprano) and me. We tarted this project in 2010, and this will be our first FORMAL premiere! The story is based on the concept of the seven deadly sins – Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy and Pride. In the opera we explore expressing our imagination through electronic surround in combination with acoustic surround sound. We also experiment with triggering your senses through elements like smell and touch. The opera is performed in the dark, to create an imaginative scenography.
The Forge
Composers Platform of the Royal Academy of Music
March 11, 7:30pm, The Forge, London
Performance of my piece 'Imagination - in the memory of Jonathan Harvey' in an exciting programme organised by RAM. For solo violin with five live violin surround. Solo part performed by amazing Abraham Brody, and surround created by great violin players - Shir Victoria Levy, Xenia Deviatkina-Loh, Nicole Crespo O'Donoghue, Rowena Kennally and Clarice Morrish Rarity. (Imagination - video recording of it's premierre at the Mapping Music concert two years ago)
Composers Platform of the Royal Academy of Music
March 11, 7:30pm, The Forge, London
Performance of my piece 'Imagination - in the memory of Jonathan Harvey' in an exciting programme organised by RAM. For solo violin with five live violin surround. Solo part performed by amazing Abraham Brody, and surround created by great violin players - Shir Victoria Levy, Xenia Deviatkina-Loh, Nicole Crespo O'Donoghue, Rowena Kennally and Clarice Morrish Rarity. (Imagination - video recording of it's premierre at the Mapping Music concert two years ago)
Creators Conference
by European Composer and Songwriter Alliance (ECSA)
Feb 23-24. Centre of the Fine Arts (BOZAR), Brussels
The Creators Conference is a European Forum organised by the ECSA. The Conference provides a high level European platform where creators, music business representatives and EU policy-makers can exchange views on freedom of expression, author’s rights, new economic models, international cooperation, fair remuneration and will compose the future of music creators together. And I will be speaking here at the Crystal Ball session, too.
by European Composer and Songwriter Alliance (ECSA)
Feb 23-24. Centre of the Fine Arts (BOZAR), Brussels
The Creators Conference is a European Forum organised by the ECSA. The Conference provides a high level European platform where creators, music business representatives and EU policy-makers can exchange views on freedom of expression, author’s rights, new economic models, international cooperation, fair remuneration and will compose the future of music creators together. And I will be speaking here at the Crystal Ball session, too.
2014
Pioneering III
Ljudkonstgalleriet, Gothenberg, Sweden
December 6-21
Final part of my residency at Lyndkonstgalleriet. Word from the organizers: 'During the exhibition called Pioneering 2, our artists managed to manifest a portal to another world in our gallery. The gateway was so palpable that you could gaze straight through it. A wild and dangerous land laid before you and vistas of alien sounds lured you in. Our previous exhibition was a journey deep into the collective unconscious, perhaps even further, and there our artists were able to collect certain information and foreign artefacts. Upon their return, these treasures were brought up to the surface and salvaged into the conscious and brought before its logic. Where P.2 was organic, dark and wild, P.3 is structured, logical and bright.'
Ljudkonstgalleriet, Gothenberg, Sweden
December 6-21
Final part of my residency at Lyndkonstgalleriet. Word from the organizers: 'During the exhibition called Pioneering 2, our artists managed to manifest a portal to another world in our gallery. The gateway was so palpable that you could gaze straight through it. A wild and dangerous land laid before you and vistas of alien sounds lured you in. Our previous exhibition was a journey deep into the collective unconscious, perhaps even further, and there our artists were able to collect certain information and foreign artefacts. Upon their return, these treasures were brought up to the surface and salvaged into the conscious and brought before its logic. Where P.2 was organic, dark and wild, P.3 is structured, logical and bright.'
UNCHOIR WORKSHOP
as part of Aronia Overture at Q-O2 Winter Festival, Brussels
December 4
Part of the Aronia Overture (aroniaoverture.net) is the 'Unchoir', a constellation of berry sounds produced by humans. If you would like to be a member of this Unchoir, you can discover these sounds in yourself via a 3- hour workshop guided by me, Ruta Vitkauskaite. No singing experience is required. Participation is free. Places are limited and preference goes to who can also be part of the Unchoir on the night of the Overture (Dec. 7, 10pm-10.40pm).
as part of Aronia Overture at Q-O2 Winter Festival, Brussels
December 4
Part of the Aronia Overture (aroniaoverture.net) is the 'Unchoir', a constellation of berry sounds produced by humans. If you would like to be a member of this Unchoir, you can discover these sounds in yourself via a 3- hour workshop guided by me, Ruta Vitkauskaite. No singing experience is required. Participation is free. Places are limited and preference goes to who can also be part of the Unchoir on the night of the Overture (Dec. 7, 10pm-10.40pm).
Aronia Overture
Q-O2 Winter Festival, Brussels
December 4-7
The Aronia M. Overture is he human attempt to assist the Aronia Melanocarpa (Chokeberry) in expressing its essence and relations to its ambient environment: an abandoned State-run plantation on the edge of a shrinking town. Part of the Overture is the “Unchoir”, a constellation of berry sounds produced by humans. In a 3-hour workshop guided by composer/musician Ruta Vitkauskaite participants can explore and discover new sounds within themselves - pushed by Aronia.
Q-O2 Winter Festival, Brussels
December 4-7
The Aronia M. Overture is he human attempt to assist the Aronia Melanocarpa (Chokeberry) in expressing its essence and relations to its ambient environment: an abandoned State-run plantation on the edge of a shrinking town. Part of the Overture is the “Unchoir”, a constellation of berry sounds produced by humans. In a 3-hour workshop guided by composer/musician Ruta Vitkauskaite participants can explore and discover new sounds within themselves - pushed by Aronia.
Pioneering II
Ljudkonstgalleriet, Gothenburg, Sweden
November 1
The second outcome of my research on our research at the Lyndkonstgalleriet Residency. Word from the organisers: 'The launch of our gallery is a voyage into unknown territory, and the theme for our inaugural project is the concept of pioneering. Our second public event will constitute a gateway to an undiscovered country and present it to our audience. Our team of pioneers consists of Ann-Charlotte Rugfelt Ferm – Visual and sound artist from Gothenburg; Ruta Vitkauskaite – Composer and sound artist from Lithuania; Martin Thulin – Instrument builder and composer from Malmö.'
Ljudkonstgalleriet, Gothenburg, Sweden
November 1
The second outcome of my research on our research at the Lyndkonstgalleriet Residency. Word from the organisers: 'The launch of our gallery is a voyage into unknown territory, and the theme for our inaugural project is the concept of pioneering. Our second public event will constitute a gateway to an undiscovered country and present it to our audience. Our team of pioneers consists of Ann-Charlotte Rugfelt Ferm – Visual and sound artist from Gothenburg; Ruta Vitkauskaite – Composer and sound artist from Lithuania; Martin Thulin – Instrument builder and composer from Malmö.'
Gaida Festival
Lithuanian National Philharmony
October 24
My piece for symphony orchestra and accordion, 'Ashraga', is being premierred at Gaida festival 2015! Idea, based around Inuit throat singing, meditation, and music as experience for performer and audience, this piece is being by amazing accordion player Martynas Levickis (also, many thanks to him for inspiring many parts of this work), conducted by Roland Freisitzer, and played by Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra. Along with UGNĖ GIEDRAITYTĖ – Iris for clarinet and orchestra, SOFIA GUBAIDULINA – Das Gastmahl während der Pest for symphony orchestra and HANNA KULENTY – Part One for symphony orchestra
Lithuanian National Philharmony
October 24
My piece for symphony orchestra and accordion, 'Ashraga', is being premierred at Gaida festival 2015! Idea, based around Inuit throat singing, meditation, and music as experience for performer and audience, this piece is being by amazing accordion player Martynas Levickis (also, many thanks to him for inspiring many parts of this work), conducted by Roland Freisitzer, and played by Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra. Along with UGNĖ GIEDRAITYTĖ – Iris for clarinet and orchestra, SOFIA GUBAIDULINA – Das Gastmahl während der Pest for symphony orchestra and HANNA KULENTY – Part One for symphony orchestra
Pioneering I
Ljudkonstgalleriet, Gothenburg, Sweden
October 8
Starting my residency at Ljudkonstgalleriet. Word from the organisers: 'The launch of our gallery is a voyage into unknown territory, and the theme for our inaugural project is the concept of pioneering. Our first public event will be a grand opening where we introduce Ljudkonsgalleriet and the artists who will work with us during autumn. The first team of pioneers to join us consists of: Ann-Charlotte Rugfelt Ferm – Visual and sound artist from Gothenburg, Ruta Vitkauskaite – Composer and sound artist from Lithuania, Martin Thulin – Instrument builder and composer from Malmö.
Ljudkonstgalleriet, Gothenburg, Sweden
October 8
Starting my residency at Ljudkonstgalleriet. Word from the organisers: 'The launch of our gallery is a voyage into unknown territory, and the theme for our inaugural project is the concept of pioneering. Our first public event will be a grand opening where we introduce Ljudkonsgalleriet and the artists who will work with us during autumn. The first team of pioneers to join us consists of: Ann-Charlotte Rugfelt Ferm – Visual and sound artist from Gothenburg, Ruta Vitkauskaite – Composer and sound artist from Lithuania, Martin Thulin – Instrument builder and composer from Malmö.
Operatic Actions: LUCIFER - ENLIGHTENED WITHOUT BLINDING
September 27, Teater Katapult, Aarhus, Denmark
On my 30th (!!) birthday, my short Nostrial Opera Lucifer's Dream was presented as part of the AUT – Aarhus Unge Tonekunstnere – in cooperation with Musiques Nouvelles and Operomanija project. Six European composers each created a part of a Grand Opera on the myth of the Fall of Lucifer. Confronted with the audience and their live-streamed faces displayed above the orchestra intimacy and trembling emotions will transform the tangible reality into a reawakening of the opera genre. »Plunged out from the sky as a flash of lightning, Lucifer was stripped of his beauty, his position and his claim to Heaven. Since then his eternal goal has been to thwart the grand design of God.«
September 27, Teater Katapult, Aarhus, Denmark
On my 30th (!!) birthday, my short Nostrial Opera Lucifer's Dream was presented as part of the AUT – Aarhus Unge Tonekunstnere – in cooperation with Musiques Nouvelles and Operomanija project. Six European composers each created a part of a Grand Opera on the myth of the Fall of Lucifer. Confronted with the audience and their live-streamed faces displayed above the orchestra intimacy and trembling emotions will transform the tangible reality into a reawakening of the opera genre. »Plunged out from the sky as a flash of lightning, Lucifer was stripped of his beauty, his position and his claim to Heaven. Since then his eternal goal has been to thwart the grand design of God.«
Aronia Overture
Riga - Capital of Culture 2014, as part of SERDE residency project
September 7
First official presentation of Aronia Overture! :) The Aronia M. Overture is he human attempt to assist the Aronia Melanocarpa (Chokeberry) in expressing its essence and relations to its ambient environment: an abandoned State-run plantation on the edge of a shrinking town. Part of the Overture is the “Unchoir”, a constellation of berry sounds produced by humans. In a 3-hour workshop guided by composer/musician Ruta Vitkauskaite participants can explore and discover new sounds within themselves - pushed by Aronia.
Riga - Capital of Culture 2014, as part of SERDE residency project
September 7
First official presentation of Aronia Overture! :) The Aronia M. Overture is he human attempt to assist the Aronia Melanocarpa (Chokeberry) in expressing its essence and relations to its ambient environment: an abandoned State-run plantation on the edge of a shrinking town. Part of the Overture is the “Unchoir”, a constellation of berry sounds produced by humans. In a 3-hour workshop guided by composer/musician Ruta Vitkauskaite participants can explore and discover new sounds within themselves - pushed by Aronia.
Artist in Residency - SERDE
August - September 2014, Aizpute, Latvia
For the second time, I will be residing to SERDE residency in Aizpute, Latvia. With support of the SERDE Residency, I will be spending here month, woking on Aizpute Vegetable Orchestra development and Aronia Melanocarpa Ouverture (in collaboration with Bartaku and Karl Heinz Jeron), as well as creating projects in collaboration with local and visiting artists, and working on my own music projects. SERDE - wonderful 300 year old house, turned into Artistic Residency by Latvian artists Signe and Ugis Pucens. More here.
August - September 2014, Aizpute, Latvia
For the second time, I will be residing to SERDE residency in Aizpute, Latvia. With support of the SERDE Residency, I will be spending here month, woking on Aizpute Vegetable Orchestra development and Aronia Melanocarpa Ouverture (in collaboration with Bartaku and Karl Heinz Jeron), as well as creating projects in collaboration with local and visiting artists, and working on my own music projects. SERDE - wonderful 300 year old house, turned into Artistic Residency by Latvian artists Signe and Ugis Pucens. More here.
Suså Festival
August 29, Naestved, Denmark
Double bass ensemble Ludus Gravis concert, Daniele Roccato - soloist
Vitkauskaite 'Orion Arm' along with music by Scodanibbio, Gubaidulina, Henze, Estrada. More about festival here.
August 29, Naestved, Denmark
Double bass ensemble Ludus Gravis concert, Daniele Roccato - soloist
Vitkauskaite 'Orion Arm' along with music by Scodanibbio, Gubaidulina, Henze, Estrada. More about festival here.
Palendriai Courses for Composers
August 2014
Organised by accordionist Martynas Levickis, this course is designed for composers to practice writing for accordion and strings. I was very happy to be on this course as a tutor, along with Ben Lunn. Exploring different composition techniques, and getting inspired by beautiful singing of Palendriai monastry monks.
August 2014
Organised by accordionist Martynas Levickis, this course is designed for composers to practice writing for accordion and strings. I was very happy to be on this course as a tutor, along with Ben Lunn. Exploring different composition techniques, and getting inspired by beautiful singing of Palendriai monastry monks.
BZZZ Festival
July 4-6 2014 at Harp Art Lab, Sweden
My one to one performance designed around THE LIFE AND DEATH OF HONEY BEES. Harp Art Lab invited artists and bee-keepers to create installations and performances connected to the theme of honey bees, thereby transforming Harplinge windmill into a "hive" of sounds. Bzzz International Sound Art Festival took place july 4-6 2014 at Harp Art Lab, Sweden.
July 4-6 2014 at Harp Art Lab, Sweden
My one to one performance designed around THE LIFE AND DEATH OF HONEY BEES. Harp Art Lab invited artists and bee-keepers to create installations and performances connected to the theme of honey bees, thereby transforming Harplinge windmill into a "hive" of sounds. Bzzz International Sound Art Festival took place july 4-6 2014 at Harp Art Lab, Sweden.
International Bath Music Festival
May 25, 2014, Old Theatre Royal at Bath Masonic Hall, UK
Martynas Levickis (accordion) solo concert
Performs Ruta Vitkauskaite ‘For many thousands’ along with music by J.S.Bach, Scarlatti, Gorka Hermosa, Jonas Tamulionis, Sergej Berinsky and his own Lithuanian folk songs arrangements. More about concert here.
May 25, 2014, Old Theatre Royal at Bath Masonic Hall, UK
Martynas Levickis (accordion) solo concert
Performs Ruta Vitkauskaite ‘For many thousands’ along with music by J.S.Bach, Scarlatti, Gorka Hermosa, Jonas Tamulionis, Sergej Berinsky and his own Lithuanian folk songs arrangements. More about concert here.
Artist in Residency - Q-o2
April 26 - May 7, Brussels, Belgium
for collaboration on Aronia Melanocarpa Ouverture, project initiated by artist Bartaku
Bartaku project on Aronia Melanocarpa and his research on various ways of implying it into making electricity, everyday diet, art object, has lasted for a several years already. Me, and multimedia artists Karl Heinz Jeron, as well as Bartaku himself, will meet in Q-o2 residency in Brussels to make Aronia sing - using my composers experience, Karl's aronia dipping mashine, and Bartaku's Aronia understanding, we will create The Aronia Ouverture.
April 26 - May 7, Brussels, Belgium
for collaboration on Aronia Melanocarpa Ouverture, project initiated by artist Bartaku
Bartaku project on Aronia Melanocarpa and his research on various ways of implying it into making electricity, everyday diet, art object, has lasted for a several years already. Me, and multimedia artists Karl Heinz Jeron, as well as Bartaku himself, will meet in Q-o2 residency in Brussels to make Aronia sing - using my composers experience, Karl's aronia dipping mashine, and Bartaku's Aronia understanding, we will create The Aronia Ouverture.
New Music Incubator Neringa
April 8-13, Nida Art Colony
Creative laboratory for professional musicians of all kinds
New Music Incubator was initiated by Martin Q Larsson (composer, musicians and currently President of Swedish Composers Society). Having previously attended NMI in 2010 as participant, this year I am co-organising this lab with Martin Q, as it happens to take it's place in beautiful Nida, with re-union concert in Oslo Ultima Festival in Norway later this year. More about NMI: www.newmusicincubator.com
April 8-13, Nida Art Colony
Creative laboratory for professional musicians of all kinds
New Music Incubator was initiated by Martin Q Larsson (composer, musicians and currently President of Swedish Composers Society). Having previously attended NMI in 2010 as participant, this year I am co-organising this lab with Martin Q, as it happens to take it's place in beautiful Nida, with re-union concert in Oslo Ultima Festival in Norway later this year. More about NMI: www.newmusicincubator.com
Maché album project
Kate Halsall piano duo project
- Very pleased to announce Maché now includes some very exciting new music and ideas from Devon Yasamune Toyotomi, Simon Vincent, Ruta Vitkauskaite, Matthew Rowan and Timo Tuhkanen. Miniaturised Concertos project for piano duo, has an ongoing Call for multi composer collaboration, Maché, which includes ideas/scores/images/texts/other materials which began with a residency at The Banff Centre in Canada. The 5 commissions and Maché collections will be released on Metier Label. - Kate Halsall
More about project here.
Kate Halsall piano duo project
- Very pleased to announce Maché now includes some very exciting new music and ideas from Devon Yasamune Toyotomi, Simon Vincent, Ruta Vitkauskaite, Matthew Rowan and Timo Tuhkanen. Miniaturised Concertos project for piano duo, has an ongoing Call for multi composer collaboration, Maché, which includes ideas/scores/images/texts/other materials which began with a residency at The Banff Centre in Canada. The 5 commissions and Maché collections will be released on Metier Label. - Kate Halsall
More about project here.
Until the Bird...
Saturday 1 February
folk-pop music band gig
The band I play in for some years already.
Saturday 1 February
folk-pop music band gig
The band I play in for some years already.
Tate Britain Family Event
Sunday 21 February, 10:00-15:00
Music for children by Neil Luck
Suggested by Neil Luck, my role is to be a 'live orchestra' in the room of 1810th in Tate Britain. Surrounded by three music stands with conductor sticks and graphic scores, I am going to be following conducting of little and big visitors of the gallery, and improvising in the style of 1810th on my violin of whatever they conduct. It's going to be fun! More about the event is on www.tate.org.uk
Sunday 21 February, 10:00-15:00
Music for children by Neil Luck
Suggested by Neil Luck, my role is to be a 'live orchestra' in the room of 1810th in Tate Britain. Surrounded by three music stands with conductor sticks and graphic scores, I am going to be following conducting of little and big visitors of the gallery, and improvising in the style of 1810th on my violin of whatever they conduct. It's going to be fun! More about the event is on www.tate.org.uk
clapTON gallery presents: MATTHEW LEE KNOWLES private view
Saturday 8 February, 20:00-23:00, under an invitation
dripping paintings by experimentalist artists
Home based gallery with private views lasting only for 3 hours, displayed on the walls on ordinary flat, with the concert in the bedroom - that's all Elo Masing's idea. Don't ask what I am going to do there, but I definitely am going to perform something even more unusual...
Saturday 8 February, 20:00-23:00, under an invitation
dripping paintings by experimentalist artists
Home based gallery with private views lasting only for 3 hours, displayed on the walls on ordinary flat, with the concert in the bedroom - that's all Elo Masing's idea. Don't ask what I am going to do there, but I definitely am going to perform something even more unusual...
Duo Versus in USA
Saturday 1 February, 19:00, Johnson Theatre of University of New Hampshire, USA
Abe McWilliams (violin, loop pedal, voice), and Martynas Levickis (accordion)
Programme – W. A. Mozart, B. Bartók, A. Piazzolla, lots of improv, loop pedalling, tangos, and Baltic folk music to be had!! Including two new premieres by Ruta Vitkauskaite: Imagination - new edition for violin solo and 4 speakers, and Swamp for Violin solo with loop pedal. More about concert here.
Saturday 1 February, 19:00, Johnson Theatre of University of New Hampshire, USA
Abe McWilliams (violin, loop pedal, voice), and Martynas Levickis (accordion)
Programme – W. A. Mozart, B. Bartók, A. Piazzolla, lots of improv, loop pedalling, tangos, and Baltic folk music to be had!! Including two new premieres by Ruta Vitkauskaite: Imagination - new edition for violin solo and 4 speakers, and Swamp for Violin solo with loop pedal. More about concert here.
Jonathan Powell plays in Oxford
Saturday 1 February, 19:00, Jacqueline du Pre Music Building
Jonathan Powell performs pieces by Martyn Harry, Simon Holt, Richard Barrett, Horatiu Radulescu, Giacinto Scelsi, Gabriel Erkoreka, Tristan Murail, Peter Graham [Jaroslav Šťastný-Pokorný], Arturas Bumšteinas, John White and even some more. And I will join Jonathan to play my piano duo called BIS duo.
Saturday 1 February, 19:00, Jacqueline du Pre Music Building
Jonathan Powell performs pieces by Martyn Harry, Simon Holt, Richard Barrett, Horatiu Radulescu, Giacinto Scelsi, Gabriel Erkoreka, Tristan Murail, Peter Graham [Jaroslav Šťastný-Pokorný], Arturas Bumšteinas, John White and even some more. And I will join Jonathan to play my piano duo called BIS duo.
Uncharted Soundscapes
Wednesday 22 January, Lumierre, E5 0LS, London, UK
experimental music concert
I will be performing my one-on-one performance Something Personal, along Elo Masing, Neil Luck, and others. Sing up sheet will be available at the entrance. Don't be late!
Wednesday 22 January, Lumierre, E5 0LS, London, UK
experimental music concert
I will be performing my one-on-one performance Something Personal, along Elo Masing, Neil Luck, and others. Sing up sheet will be available at the entrance. Don't be late!
The Most Excellent And Lamentable PLAN B
December 5, Lithuanian National Drama Theatre, Main Stage
Music, theatre and video performance based on the caricatures of Herluf Bidstrup
Director: Vidas Bareikis Composer: Rūta Vitkauskaitė Set designer: Simona Biekšaitė
Costume designer: Liuka Songailaitė, Conductor: Ričardas Šumila, Music director: Marija Grikevičiūtė, Lighting designer: Matas Šimonis, Sound designer: Kastytis Narmontas. Commissioned by Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre.
December 5, Lithuanian National Drama Theatre, Main Stage
Music, theatre and video performance based on the caricatures of Herluf Bidstrup
Director: Vidas Bareikis Composer: Rūta Vitkauskaitė Set designer: Simona Biekšaitė
Costume designer: Liuka Songailaitė, Conductor: Ričardas Šumila, Music director: Marija Grikevičiūtė, Lighting designer: Matas Šimonis, Sound designer: Kastytis Narmontas. Commissioned by Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre.
Music Bubbles !
Saturday 8 November, Sound of Stockholm, Kulturhouse, Sweden
Nordplus IP Music Laboratory The PROCESS Re-Union in Stockholm
In spring 2013, Nordplus IP Music Lab the PROCESS, organised by Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, and under the artistic leadership of Martin Q Larsson, successfully dragged students and professors of Nordic and Baltic countries into creative collaborative music experiment. As the result of the Process re-union in Stockholm, Sound Of Stockholm will spread through all the floors of Kulturhouse as Music Bubbles. Young composers from Sweden, Denmark, Lithuania, Latvia and Finland are going to develop theme of un-expectancy and surprise crowds of people with very short sound performances at usually not perfomanse-suitable locations of the building.
Saturday 8 November, Sound of Stockholm, Kulturhouse, Sweden
Nordplus IP Music Laboratory The PROCESS Re-Union in Stockholm
In spring 2013, Nordplus IP Music Lab the PROCESS, organised by Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, and under the artistic leadership of Martin Q Larsson, successfully dragged students and professors of Nordic and Baltic countries into creative collaborative music experiment. As the result of the Process re-union in Stockholm, Sound Of Stockholm will spread through all the floors of Kulturhouse as Music Bubbles. Young composers from Sweden, Denmark, Lithuania, Latvia and Finland are going to develop theme of un-expectancy and surprise crowds of people with very short sound performances at usually not perfomanse-suitable locations of the building.
Mass at the Aizpute St. John Evalgelic Lutheran Church
Sunday 5 October, 2013, 10:00
Short concert during the Mass
Programme:
Arvo Part. Fratres. Performed by Ruta Vitkauskaite, violin, and Nora Bitenie, organ.
Sunday 5 October, 2013, 10:00
Short concert during the Mass
Programme:
Arvo Part. Fratres. Performed by Ruta Vitkauskaite, violin, and Nora Bitenie, organ.
Reibumā atbalsis/Dizzy Echoes
Aizpute winery, September 25, 2013, 17:00-19:00
Live sound installation
Inspired by the echoing acoustics of the Aizpute winery basement rooms and corridors, and by the crystal sounds which various glass structures - glasses, jars, bottles, can make. Current artists working in SERDE residency - Rūta Vitkauskaitė, Karl Heinz Jeron and Eeva-Liisa Puhakka, will combine their experiences and inspirations, and create electroacoustic life sound installation spread in the basement of the winery.
Aizpute winery, September 25, 2013, 17:00-19:00
Live sound installation
Inspired by the echoing acoustics of the Aizpute winery basement rooms and corridors, and by the crystal sounds which various glass structures - glasses, jars, bottles, can make. Current artists working in SERDE residency - Rūta Vitkauskaitė, Karl Heinz Jeron and Eeva-Liisa Puhakka, will combine their experiences and inspirations, and create electroacoustic life sound installation spread in the basement of the winery.
Mass at the Aizpute St. John Evalgelic Lutheran Church
Sunday 22 September, 2013, 10:00
Short concert during the Mass
Programme: J.S. Bach. Preliude d-moll, Nr.6. Performed by Ruta Vitkauskaite, organ. O. Messiaen. Quartet for the End of Time, part 6. Performed by Ruta Vitkauskaite, violin, and Nora Bitenie, organ. New Composition for violin, organ and electronic octopus mashine, created and performed by Ruta Vitkauskaite and Karl Hernz Jeron.
Sunday 22 September, 2013, 10:00
Short concert during the Mass
Programme: J.S. Bach. Preliude d-moll, Nr.6. Performed by Ruta Vitkauskaite, organ. O. Messiaen. Quartet for the End of Time, part 6. Performed by Ruta Vitkauskaite, violin, and Nora Bitenie, organ. New Composition for violin, organ and electronic octopus mashine, created and performed by Ruta Vitkauskaite and Karl Hernz Jeron.
APPLE(-ING) ART AND CRAFT FAIR
Saturday 14 September, 10:00, SERDE’s backyard, Atmodas 9, Aizpute
APPLE[ING] is season closing event of SERDE, in which there are gathered artists living in residency centre and masters of different crafts. I will be participating and a creator of musical instrument workshop from vegetables, and conductor of their concert, and well as will present my installation of jugglery with apples into amplified objects with accompaniment of electronic octopus created with leaking aronia (by Karl Heinz Jeron).
Saturday 14 September, 10:00, SERDE’s backyard, Atmodas 9, Aizpute
APPLE[ING] is season closing event of SERDE, in which there are gathered artists living in residency centre and masters of different crafts. I will be participating and a creator of musical instrument workshop from vegetables, and conductor of their concert, and well as will present my installation of jugglery with apples into amplified objects with accompaniment of electronic octopus created with leaking aronia (by Karl Heinz Jeron).
Something Personal
SERDE Residency, September 9, 2013, 19:00
concert for one listener
Moving away from classical tradition of music performance and concentrating in communication through music. Moreover, communicating music by individual music player to individual listener. With closed eyes/in the dark, listener is invited to sit down and to enter the aural music world - to listen to the shimmering natural/recreated sound world being performed only to him alone by me only.
SERDE Residency, September 9, 2013, 19:00
concert for one listener
Moving away from classical tradition of music performance and concentrating in communication through music. Moreover, communicating music by individual music player to individual listener. With closed eyes/in the dark, listener is invited to sit down and to enter the aural music world - to listen to the shimmering natural/recreated sound world being performed only to him alone by me only.
Artist in Residency at SERDE
SERDE, September 2013
In support of the SERDE Residency, I will be spending here the whole month, creating projects in collaboration with local and visiting artists, as well as working on my own music projects. SERDE - wonderful 300 year old house, turned into Artistic Residency by Latvian artists Signe and Ugis Pucens.
SERDE, September 2013
In support of the SERDE Residency, I will be spending here the whole month, creating projects in collaboration with local and visiting artists, as well as working on my own music projects. SERDE - wonderful 300 year old house, turned into Artistic Residency by Latvian artists Signe and Ugis Pucens.
Hooray! New Website!
From now, all the events, or most of the events I create and participate as a composer, performer, or organiser, I will be listing up here :)
From now, all the events, or most of the events I create and participate as a composer, performer, or organiser, I will be listing up here :)
