BLAZE OF PROGRAMME AND MISERIES WITH LEAFLETS 0
Vaiva Mažulytė
www.kamane.lt, 2008 07 20
Zbignevas and Rūta Ibelhauptai. Photo from the archives of R. and Z. Ibelhauptai
In brief: Pažaislis Festival invited to step to the music weekend through “Gate of Joy” on July 11-13, it lead towards the acquaintance with ancient music of various nations and granted a chance to enjoy dances of the Romanticism.
The organisers endeavoured that every holiday-maker who did not leave for the seaside or foreign resorts would be able to enjoy music according to one’s taste and needs. Only pure vocal music was missing.
Jazz music admirers were pleased on Friday. The pianist and composer Gintautas Abarius amused people by sincere music in the Arboretum. The team of famous Lithuanian musicians assisted him: Leonidas Šinkarenka (bass guitar), Pavelas Giunteris, Arvydas Jofė (percussion instruments) and Valerijus Ramoška (trumpet), who was not mentioned in the leaflet.
Original and classical jazz compositions resounded during the concert – from Bill Strayhorn’s “Take the “A” Train” popularised by Duke Ellington to “Gate of Joy” by G.Abarius himself. The project was called by the latter name.
The concert did not lack professional performance, good emotions and sincerity. According to the project initiator G.Abarius, “Plays performed in this concert are the reflections and embodiment of personal experiences and feelings.”
Sacral Indian, Italian, French, Armenian and Jewish music sounded during the concert at Pažaislis Abbey on Saturday. The ensemble of ancient music from Estonia Hortus Musicus headed by Andres Mustonen called the programme "On the Road".
Ancient instruments could be seen on the stage. Still, the authentic sound of music was not the main purpose of the ensemble. The most important was the music and its idea. The enthusiastic A.Mustonen and other musicians tried to reveal the essence of ancient music, which is understood similarly by various nations, expressively. Perhaps the musicians were following notes too closely; still, responsibility was not a sin, and the value of the concert was not harmed by it.
Meanwhile, dance music prevailed in the Sunday programme of Pažaislis festival. Even though no real discotheque took place in Zapyškis St. John the Baptist’s Church, the hall was packed. Romantic music was played by the fortepiano duet of Rūta and Zbignevas Ibelhauptai on that day.
The pianists played the grand piano of very respectful age. Even though it did not promise beautiful sound, the performers denied the early prejudice. R. and Z.Ibelhauptai were so much concentrated on music and enjoyed its impact on the audience that the instrument sounded well by itself.
The duet controlled the instrument masterfully and rendered the mood, style and idea of every miniature of different composers. After playing merry, dreamy or calmer dances of J.Brahms, E.Grieg, P.Chaikovski, M.Moshkovski, G.Faure, the pianists performed the complicated Fantasy by F.Schubert in a very serious and concentrated manner.
“Feria” from “The Spanish Suite” by M.Ravel stood out of the programme. The work of the non-Romantic composer sounded differently and emphasised the professionalism of the duet even more.
The music weekend was really of high quality, it enriched listeners with new information and good mood that was not spoiled by the weather. While praising the organisers for the good concert programme, one may not leave it unmentioned that mistakes in leaflets of the festival may constantly be noticed. Proof-reading mistakes are usual already; still, one should notice that the content of the concert had been mixed.