Vol. 1 (8.573282) in our edition of Vytautas Bacevičius’s complete orchestral works included two of his four piano concertos in ‘fine, dedicated performances’ (Audiophile Audition) by pianist Gabrielius Alekna. This second album features the other two concertos performed by the same artist, alongside the Lithuanian composer's Third Symphony, which was never performed during his lifetime; this is the world premiere recording of that work. Bacevičius’s music certainly deserves a place in the wider repertoire, not only as an example of his small nation’s disproportionately influential presence in the world, but also for its melting, lyrical beauty and fascinating harmonic originality.
Vytautas BACEVIČIUS (1905–1970)
Orchestral Works, Vol. 2
Piano Concerto No. 1 ‘Sur des thèmes lituaniens’
Piano Concerto No. 2
Symphony No. 3
Gabrielius Alekna, Piano Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra
Christopher Lyndon-Gee
Vytautas Bacevičius’s life was defined by exile and migration during the turbulent first half of the 20th century, but his impressive catalogue represents a remarkable creative spirit undimmed by adversity. Composed while studying in Paris, the youthful Piano Concertos Nos. 1 and 2 represent Bacevičius’s nostalgia for his native Lithuania in their unselfconscious and spirited use of folk melodies, all of which contribute to their light and celebratory nature. Written not long after his arrival in the United States in 1944, the Third Symphony expresses an early optimism for the composer’s new home in its energetic, positive and confident tone, culminating in a citation of The Stars and Stripes Forever.
IV. Allegro
Born in Lithuania and now resident in the United States, pianist Gabrielius Alekna is a graduate of The Juilliard School who was awarded Second Prize at the 2005 International Beethoven Piano Competition in Vienna. He has given solo recitals at the United Nations Office in Geneva, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and made concerto appearances with the Vienna Radio Symphony, Juilliard and Bilkent Symphony Orchestras, as well as with every major orchestra and ensemble in his native Lithuania. His recordings include the most comprehensive Bacevičius discography of any pianist.
Conductor/composer Christopher Lyndon-Gee is known worldwide for his catalogue of many dozens of recordings, almost all of these since 1994 for the Naxos label. They include the complete orchestral music of Igor Markevitch and of Edgard Varèse; most of the symphonies and orchestral works of George Rochberg; and, since their first collaborations in Kyiv in 2016, recordings of music by Valentin Silvestrov. He has been recognised by the Sydney Critics ‘Best Conductor’ award, by five GRAMMY Award nominations, multiple nominations for other major awards such as Cannes and Echo Klassik, and by the Pizzicato Prize in Luxembourg.
Established in 1940, the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra presents around 50 concerts annually in the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Hall and across Lithuania. It has also performed in some of the most prestigious international concert venues, such as the Musikverein Wien, the philharmonic halls of Cologne and Berlin, and the Barbican Centre in London. The orchestra’s rich repertoire comprises oratorios and symphonies from various eras, as well as contemporary music, with an emphasis on well-known works by Lithuanian composers and the first symphonies of many young composers.
Symphony No. 7
Ode to a Nightingale • Piano Concertino
Galatenko • Bezborodko
Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra
Lyndon-Gee
– Gramophone
no yesterday, no tomorrow
La barca • riverbank – river – symphony
Vaškevičiūtė • Pavilionis
Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra
Lyndon-Gee
– American Record Guide
Complete Orchestral Works, Vol. 7
Piano Concerto • Cantate • Icare
Hoek • Oostenrijk
Netherlands Concert Choir
Arnhem Philharmonic Orchestra • Lyndon-Gee
– Fanfare
Violin Concertos Nos. 1 and 3
Five Night-Pieces
Sheppard Skærved • Shorr
Saarbrücken Radio Symphony Orchestra
Lyndon-Gee
– MusicWeb International