Ahead of this summer’s 14th Vivace Vilnius International Summer Music Festival, founder Egle Jarkova organized a benefit event at the Pucker Gallery to support the students who will arrive in Lithuania from all over the world.
This year the benefit concert featured Lithuania’s eminent pianist Mūza Rubackytė, Laureate of the Lithuanian National Culture and Arts Prize. From the moment Ms. Rubachytė sat down, she commanded the rapt attention of the intimate gathering, and brought us on a musical journey together. Beginning with pieces by Lithuanian composer Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis, Ms. Rubackytė roved the landscape of the piano. Colorful, majestic, the melody sometimes floating on top, Rubackytė brought us in, expressing the intensity of feelings for her homeland. Followed by a contemporary piece by Lithuanian Raminta Šerkšnytė, an intense, evocative piece with rolling bass, we were held captive as feeling poured forth and we were reminded of Lithuania’s struggles, hard times, and valiant efforts to rebuild, and connect with others.
On to Claude Debussy, of France, where Ms. Rubackytė currently resides. Debussy conveys images of the countryside, leaves fluttering down, grand sweeping fields, careful steps in the snow. Our sense are fully engaged as Rubackytė paints pictures filled with musical color, energy and light.
Finally, we were treated to pieces by Franz Liszt, Rubackytė’s self described musical home, for which she has been praised as “one of the finest living Liszt performers.” Liszt is known for composing technically challenging pieces, and this was no exception. Rubackytė’s work transcends her expert technique to convey a series of images. Iconic, sweeping, graceful, where one can conjure the moving water of the gondolas, women in long dresses, and men in suits with long coats. There is even a playfulness in the Tarantella from Venezia e Napoli.
The concert was set in a room filled with the colorful work of Geoffrey Dunn, thus attendees were wrapped in texture of all kinds.
As Muza Rubackytė finished the last work, the audience jumped on their feet as one, beseeching her to play one more piece. She obliged and treated the group to another piece by Liszt, a satisfying dessert to finish a scrumptious meal.
At the conclusion it was necessary to wait more than a few beats, as we regained our breath and composure, and returned from our collective journey at the hands of this talented and commanding musician.
Ms. Jarkova began this festival as a cultural bridge between Lithuania and the United States, as well as supporting emerging musicians by connecting them with distinguished international artists as well as each other. It is the universality of excellence and passion for music that unifies us all as we experience together, as well as in our own ways what a performer like Mūza Rubackytė unveils. It is the depth of her experience and feeling that we absorb, and understand her, the composers, and each other just a bit more before we move into our day. It is this light, this beacon of hope we all crave and it is a joyous, moving experience to take with us, and return to by both recordings and particularly live concerts. Jarkova created a mini experience of what performers and students can expect during the summer. Musicians meeting in a space held by Jarkova and her group of seasoned professionals to bring out and demonstrate what is possible. She is ensuring the future of this vital medium across cultures and time to connect us at the most elemental level. Who wouldn’t want to support such an endeavor?
For more information, see www.vivacevilnius.com
Photos courtesy of Egle Jarkova. All from the event except the last which is from Vivace Vilnius 2025
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About Meg
Meg is a licensed independent clinical social worker with over thirty-five years clinical experience. She holds a Master’s Degree from the Boston University School of Social Work and a Bachelor of Arts from the State University of New York at Binghamton.