From February 2–6, Vilnius will host the international contemporary and improvisational music festival-workshop “ContemPLAY”. This event brings together concerts in various city venues, creative workshops at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, and open improvisation sessions within a single week. ContemPLAY invites audiences to view contemporary music as a living, evolving phenomenon—where not only the result on stage matters, but also the creative process itself, collaboration, and encounters. The core idea of ContemPLAY is to emphasize creativity as an alternative to the trends of superficial culture.
This year’s ContemPLAY program features both recognized works of 20th-century music and the latest contemporary creations, as well as prominent performers from the improvisational music scene. Special attention is given to works involving electronics, live sound processing practices, instrument preparation, and ensemble performance.
Opening at the LMTA Study Campus – “welcomePLAY”
The festival will open with the concert “welcomePLAY” on February 2 at 7:00 PM at the LMTA Study Campus Theatre Hall (Olandų St. 21A, Vilnius). The concert will introduce the festival organizers—LMTA lecturers and young performers from the contemporary music performance program—to festival guests:
Liudas Mockūnas (saxophone), Vykintas Baltakas (electronics), Karolina Ramonė (soprano), Julija Bagdonavičiūtė and Paula Bagotyriūtė (piano), Pranas Germanavičius (drums), Emilė Brazytė and Teodoras Butas (saxophones).
The opening program includes works by Vykintas Baltakas, John Cage, Alejandro Viñao, Andrius Šiurys, Jonas Jurkūnas, as well as free improvisation.
“Improdimensijos” Concert at the LMTA Study Campus – “improPLAY”
On February 3 at 7:00 PM, the “improPLAY” concert—an improvisational music event organized together with Improdimensija—will take place in the Theatre Hall of the LMTA Study Campus (Olandų St. 21A).
Performers:
Liudas Mockūnas (saxophones), Anto Pett (piano), Tom Blancarte (double bass), Christian Windfeld (drums), Arnas Mikalkėnas (drums, piano).
This is an evening where every sound is a decision, and music is born from listening and mutual responsiveness.
Live Electronics and Performance Practices – “LENsemblePLAY”
On February 4 at 7:00 PM, “LENsemblePLAY” will take place in the same Theatre Hall at the LMTA Study Campus. The Lithuanian Ensemble Network aims to provide a platform for young creators and performers.
In the first part of the program, prepared by Massimo Restifo Pecorella (clarinet) and Giulio Cattaneo (sound / electronics), works by Bruno Maderna, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Giulio Cattaneo, Davide Broggini, Federico Pezzatini will be performed.
The second part of the concert will feature the latest works by young composers Ethan Blackburn (USA) and Asja Kadić (Bosnia / Germany), along with free improvisation.
Performers:
Paula Bagotyriūtė (prepared piano), Deividas Skridaila (prepared guitar / electric bass), Christian Windfeld (percussion).
Electronics Evening – “electroPLAY”
On February 5 at 7:00 PM, ContemPLAY continues with the “electroPLAY” concert in the Blackbox space. At the center of the evening is the joint project “El Chico Fuendre & LMTA Electronic Music Ensemble – VariationPLAY,” bringing together electronic music and ensemble sound.
The program will also include Vykintas Baltakas’ Sandwriting for two keyboards and computer (performed by pianists Jonė Punytė-Svigarienė and Julija Bagdonavičiūtė), as well as a performance by the group RESONO (lecturer Matas Samulionis, Bruno Pereira).
Final Concerts at LMTA – “ContemPLAY I” and “ContemPLAY II”
The festival-workshop will culminate on February 6 at the central LMTA building (Gediminas Ave. 42).
At 5:00 PM, the “ContemPLAY I” concert will take place in the LMTA Grand Hall—a final performance by the joint ensemble. The program includes works by Laura Zarembaitė, Matias Norena Muriel, Marco Righetto, Phuc Nguyen, Vacca Mateo, performed by the combined contemPLAY ensemble, conducted by Vykintas Baltakas.
At 6:30 PM, the “ContemPLAY II” concert will be held in the LMTA Balcony Theatre—a final concert of improvisational music ensembles. Lecturers: Liudas Mockūnas and Arnas Mikalkėnas.
JamPLAY – Open Improvisation Sessions at “Poliklinika” Bar
On festival evenings from February 2–6, 9:00 PM to 12:30 AM, JamPLAY free improvisation sessions will take place at Poliklinika bar (Gedimino Ave. 27). Workshop participants and all interested listeners are invited to join. This informal part of the festival offers space to meet, listen, and actively engage in the musical process.
The festival is organized by the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (LMTA), the improvisational music platform Improdimensija, and LENsemble (Lithuanian Ensemble Network). Partners include the Lithuanian Composers’ Union and Poliklinika bar. The festival is funded by the Lithuanian Council for Culture and Erasmus+.
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