For the first time in Lithuania – one of the world's most renowned cello ensembles, CELLO OCTET AMSTERDAM

On October 25, one of the world's most influential and renowned cello ensembles, "Cello Octet Amsterdam," will perform for the first time in Lithuania at the National Philharmonic. The eight-cellist ensemble, which has gained international recognition for its innovative programs and collaborations with today's most prominent composers, will present an exceptional concert featuring premieres in Lithuania and music by the legendary Japanese composer and pianist Ryuichi Sakamoto. After the premiere of his first work for this ensemble, the famous composer Arvo Pärt uttered words often quoted about this group: "This octet is worth its weight in gold. I discovered them ten years too late." Active for almost four decades since 1989, "Cello Octet Amsterdam" is one of the most prominent names in contemporary music worldwide. The ensemble has collaborated with iconic composers such as Philip Glass, Arvo Pärt, David Lang, Michael Gordon, as well as Sarah Davachi, Kate Moore, and Nyokabi Kariũki, among many other artists. The collective has performed in the world's most famous concert halls – Amsterdam's "Concertgebouw" and "Muziekgebouw," London's "Wigmore Hall" and "Royal Albert Hall" (at the "BBC Proms" festival), and has also toured in the USA, Mexico, Brazil, Spain, Germany, Canada, and other countries in Central and South America, Asia, and the Middle East. The ensemble's mastery is also admired by the famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma, who called the ensemble "a true treasure" and one of the best examples for the entire music world. "Wherever I perform – in Brazil, Japan, or the United States – I hear people talking about 'Cello Octet Amsterdam'," Yo-Yo Ma emphasized the collective's importance and renown. Throughout its years of activity, the collective has masterfully honed its ability to delve into the most diverse sonic worlds, proving that the cello's capabilities far exceed the boundaries of a traditional chamber ensemble. Their repertoire combines contemporary music, electronics-inspired projects, theatrical elements, and interdisciplinary performances. For example, in the "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Cello Band" program, the octet recreates the entire sonic palette of the legendary "The Beatles" album; in the "Cocon" project, they create a sound inspired by experimental electronic music; and in family-oriented performances, the musicians also become theatrical performers. Believing that musicians are an integral part of society, the ensemble collaborates with artists from various fields and explores relevant themes in its work such as consumerism, human trafficking, loneliness, and climate change. In the "Cello Octet Amsterdam" concert in Vilnius, a special place will be given to the music of Japanese composer, pianist, and artist Ryuichi Sakamoto. Described by the "Nikkei Asia" weekly as "the best-known and most successful Japanese musician in the world," he first gained fame as a member of the synth-pop group "Yellow Magic Orchestra," but his later work encompassed a much broader spectrum – from experimental electronics and classical music to visual arts and sound installations. However, Ryuichi Sakamoto became most famous for his film scores. Over nearly five decades of creative work, he composed music for more than thirty films, including "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence," "The Last Emperor," "The Sheltering Sky," and "The Revenant." For his works, he earned an "Oscar," a "Grammy," a BAFTA, and two "Golden Globe" awards. In his later work, Sakamoto increasingly focused on natural sounds, the flow of time, and the fragility of life. These themes were closely linked to his environmental activism and his belief that music, nature, and humanity are inseparable. "Cello Octet Amsterdam" has combined the composer's multifaceted world into a cohesive suite (arr. René van Munster), where different periods of Sakamoto's work converge. https://youtu.be/cPrRsvg_dto?si=P1-Ye-FjRRnuN0 https://youtu.be/FDnqpOnp6ow?si=NwQ0Ij_fcYdGLUbU https://youtu.be/EJNHHFaVFHY?si=ouUOUEyDR3IJvrkr https://youtu.be/fnjgQsEOriU?si=7vqah0Zm6dmR_wmy https://youtu.be/DWsp-XG31C4?si=Zn0zp0WAeSEN6HSK

Adresas: Lietuvos nacionalinė filharmonija