19 October, 2008. The year 2009 is of particular importance for the culture and history of Lithuania. It will be the millennial anniversary of the first mention of Lithuania’s name in a historical document, the Annales Quedlingburgenses. In 2009, exactly one thousand years later, Vilnius will become the European Capital of Culture, putting culture forward as a value for contemporary society and a driving force, revealing Vilnius as one of the most dynamic cities of Central and Eastern Europe, with a unique and recognizable identity. Remarkable Lithuanian pianist Mūza Rubackytė gives a recital at Wigmore Hall, on October 19, at 7.30pm, to mark the upcoming Millennial Anniversary of Lithuania and to celebrate Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009.
The pianist Mūza Rubackytė is one of the ambassadors of Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009, but she has always been a Lithuanian ambassador of culture and the performing arts, giving concerts in the most prestigious concert halls throughout the world, recording CDs, teaching young talents, promoting the work of Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis, Lithuania’s most famous classical composer and artist, whose music will be featured in the recital along with the works by Chopin and Prokofiev.
Lithuanian-born pianist Mūza Rubackytė has established an outstanding international career as a concerto soloist, recitalist and chamber musician. She made her professional debut at the agen of seven and won Lithuania‘s National Young Artists Competition at the age of 13, an honour which allowed her admittance to the Moscow Conservatory. Whilst at the Conservatory she won First Prize at the Tallinn Piano Competition before going on to win the All-Union Piano Competition. During this time Mūza performed throughout the former Soviet Union and on tour with conductors including Khachaturian, Neeme Järvi and Valery Gergiev but do to her Lithuanian identity and the politics of the day, she was constantly denied visas and passports to perform in the West. She was later granted permission to enter the Liszt–Bartók Piano Competition where she won the Grand Prix. With the arrival of ‘perestroika’ and Lithuanian independence, Mūza relocated to Paris, but frequently returns to perform in Lithuania.
19 October, 7.30pm, Wigmore Hall, 36 Wigmore Street, London W1U 2BP. Tickets - £10-16. To purchase tickets online please go here.
Cultural attaché inf.
