Loreta Narvilaitė | Skambantis laikas

Time can flow, stop, or return in memories. In music, it can also sound. Composer Loreta Narvilaitė’s author evening invites listeners to hear time embodied, reflected, contemplated and sounding in music. Loreta Narvilaitė is one of Lithuania’s most prominent and active creators of contemporary classical music. Her work often interweaves coastal nature and city motifs—markers of her Klaipėda identity that become sonic metaphors for inner states. Her music brings together open emotional expression, melody and sensitivity to images inspired by nature. The neo-romantic, minimalist sound of her works and their subtle dramaturgy draw listeners into a flow of sound that is contemplative yet emotionally intense. The programme will be centred on premieres of two new works by L. Narvilaitė. The composer’s latest work, “Pažiūrėki, kaip sninga, Alpių ežeras minga, ir laikas tarsi sustoja” (“Look, it is snowing; the Alpine lake is sleeping, and time seems to stop”) for piano duet (4 hands), was written especially for this evening. Its world premiere will be performed live by internationally acclaimed pianists Vilija Poškutė and Tomas Daukantas, who return each year to their homeland from Switzerland, their adopted home, to perform. In appearances at classical music venues around Europe, the duo often includes contemporary music by Lithuanian and Swiss composers. The Lithuanian premiere of the harp-duo version of “Saulėlydžio jūros daina” (“Song of the Sunset Sea”) will be performed by the outstanding Lithuanian harpists Joana Daunytė and Liucilė U. Vilimaitė. The dialogue of these celestial instruments will reveal the work’s clear sound and subtle lyricism. The evening will be hosted by musicologist Veronika Janatjeva, whose insights and conversations with the composer and performers will help listeners better understand the contexts of her work and the stories behind the new pieces. “Skambantis laikas” (“Time That Sounds”) is an evening in which music will awaken memories of passing time and sunset light will meet the stillness of an Alpine lake. It offers precious and enriching moments of being together in the here and now. The project is funded by the Lithuanian Council for Culture.***EVENING PROGRAMME: Song of the Sunset Sea for harp duo (2025, Lithuanian premiere of the version for two harps). Performed by Joana Daunytė and Liucilė U. Vilimaitė (harp duo, Lithuania). TIME. DIE ZEIT. LAIKAS for vocal ensemble a cappella (2024, from a recording). Texts by Loreta Narvilaitė and Nikola Madžirov. Performed and recorded by the vocal ensemble “Graces&Voices” (Austria). Opera triptych Neringa: excerpt from Part II (“Dunes”) (2021, video recording). Libretto by Gintarė Dikšienė. Production of the “Kuršių nerija” festival. Video recording by the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society. Story opera Klaipėda: excerpt from Act I (2023, video recording). Libretto by Arvydas Juozaitis. Production by Klaipėda State Music Theatre. LRT video recording. “Pažiūrėki, kaip sninga, Alpių ežeras minga, ir laikas tarsi sustoja” for piano duet (4 hands) (2026, world premiere). Performed by Vilija Poškutė and Tomas Daukantas (piano duo, Lithuania / Switzerland).