Connecting Identities: Contemporary Lithuanian Landscapes Trio Agora

• Joel Hoffman (b. 1953): Ei, Jauga Jauga:
• 1Ei, Jauga Jauga: I. Ošei Pati, Martala02:54
• 2Ei, Jauga Jauga: II. Motula Mano, Širdela04:24
• 3Ei, Jauga Jauga: III. Išjoja Joja, Sodauto03:13
• 4Ei, Jauga Jauga: IV. Ei, Jauga Jauga04:01
• Mykolas Natalevičius (b. 1985):
• 5Echoes of Silence08:33
• Algirdas Klova (b. 1958):
• 6Ferihymnia07:14
• Juta Pranulytė:
• 7LADA08:04
• Jonas Jurkūnas (b. 1978): Audiodoodle #2:
• 8Audiodoodle #2: I. Fragmented, unanswered (question?)04:27
• 9Audiodoodle #2: II. Retrograde Dance01:42
• 10Audiodoodle #2: III. Audio Glitch01:38
• Juozas Naujalis (1869 - 1934):
• 11Svajonė (arr. by Žilvinas Brazauskas)02:59
• Total Runtime49:09

Info for Connecting Identities: Contemporary Lithuanian Landscapes

Trio Agora consists of ilvinas Brazauskas (clarinet), Natania Hoffman (cello) and Robertas Lozinskis (piano), three young musicians who have their roots in Lithuania and who have collectively sought to celebrate that heritage on this album, 'Connecting Identities'. The music of the Baltics has drawn increasing interest in recent years, and Lithuanian culture is at the heart of Trio Agora's shared vision. The commissions brought together on this album reflect the Trio's backgrounds, as well as their focus on an authentic representation of Lithuanian music. Recorded with the support of the Lithuanian Council for Culture, 'Connecting Identities' celebrates the richness of Lithuanian heritage, folklore, history, tradition, and diversity, along with the enormity of what transpired on that territory. The Trio sought to record a programme as multifaceted and varied as their own experiences, while delving into the essence of Lithuania and its people. Trio Agora commissioned five composers to write works for them: Joel Hoffman (Natania's father), Mykolas Natalevi 269;ius, Algirdas Klova, Juta Pranulyt 279; and Jonas Jurk 363;nas. Three of the resultant works echo the Lithuanian tradition of the Sutartin 279;, a folk song that belongs to UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The other two works go in a different direction; one explores the history of forced Lithuanian labour in Siberia, and the other delves into the contemporary Lithuanian musical landscape. These five works, commissioned and premiered in 2017 to celebrate 100 years of restored Lithuania, ultimately honour Lithuania's 30 years of true independence, a tribute to a country that is both remarkably young and truly ancient. The album concludes with a 'Dream' written in 1921 by Juozas Naujalis, a composer considered by many to be the father of Lithuanian music.

Trio Agora

Trio Agora
is a dynamic ensemble quickly establishing itself as a leader in its genre. Praised for its innovation and enthusiasm, Trio Agora was the 1st prize winner of the 2018 Rubinstein chamber music competition in Düsseldorf, Germany. The trio regularly commissions new works and performs self-made transcriptions, in addition to bringing the standard repertoire to stages around Europe.

The ensemble seeks interaction with its audience, reviving the dialogue, creativity, and interpersonal connection at the origin of chamber music.

Its first CD, "Youth," was released in 2017. This recording focused on early works of Beethoven, Rachmaninoff, Mendelssohn, and Debussy. A second CD, “Sounds of Lithuania,” is currently being recorded, with sponsorship by the AGATA Foundation and an anonymous donor.

Dedicated to pedagogy, the Trio was Ensemble in Residence at the National Students’ Academy (NMA) in Nida, Lithuania in 2018 and will return in 2020, working closely with Mirga Gražynitė-Tyla, Algirdas Biveinis, and Gabrielė Biveiniene.

The ensemble performs regularly in Lithuania, Germany, Italy, Holland, Belgium, Hungary, and Russia in music series such as Amici della Musica Firenze and Le Strade D’Europa, performing halls such as the Kaunas Philharmonic hall and the Budapest Music Center. Season highlights include performances at Auditorium del Parco (L’Aquila, Italy), the Auditorium der Haniel Akademie (Duisburg, Germany), and at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapelle (Waterloo, Belgium).

Based in Berlin, Trio Agora is currently studying at the Hanns Eisler conservatory with Eberhard Feltz and Martin Spangenberg. Previous mentors include Heime Müller and Sabine Meyer.

This album contains no booklet.