Forest. Sound Ecology

“... I would like to compose a symphony of the rustle of waves, of the mysterious language of a century-old forest, of the twinkling of stars, of our songs, and my endless longing.” This is a quote from Čiurlionis’ letter, which he wrote on 19 November 1908 in Saint Petersburg, to his future wife, writer Sofija Kymantaitė.

“In the Forest” – borrowed from Čiurlionis’ well-known symphonic piece – is the linking word of this project. It captures our curiosity and opens up room for discussion about the change and identity of compositional practice, about the human-nature relationship in the Anthropocene Epoch. In collaboration with the ensemble “Synaesthesis”, a team of composers – Yiorgis Sakellariou, Justina Šikšnelytė, Beata Juchnevič, and Kevin Lang – took a distinctive look at the practice of sound ecology, and their authentic approach is revealed in new works for chamber ensemble that appear together in a single programme.

PROGRAM:

Beata Juchnevič - Whispers from the ground

Yiorgis Sakellariou - The Rue of Demeter

Justina Šikšnelytė - Sach'a-Sach'a

Kevin Lang - A natural sound scene, artificialized

PERFORMERS:

Contemporary Music Ensemble Synaesthesis

Vytenis Gurstis (flute)

Artūras Kažimėkas (clarinet)

Monika Kiknadzė (viola)

Pranas Kentra (el. guitar)

Marta Finkelštein (piano)

Karolis Variakojis (conductor)

REALISATION TEAM:
Curator: Marta Finkelštein
Manager: Goda Pereckaitė
Sound Engineers: Mama Studios
Videography: Ilmė Vyšniauskaitė
Partners: Kintai Arts

Producer: Contemporary Ear

Financed: Lithuanian Culture Council, Lithuanian Culture Ministry, Vilnius Municipality

video by Ilmė Vyšniauskaitė