25TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE “PRINCIPLES OF MUSIC COMPOSING: PHENOMENON OF SYNTHESIS”
November 12–14, 2025
25TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
“PRINCIPLES OF MUSIC COMPOSING: PHENOMENON OF SYNTHESIS”
Dedicated to the 150th anniversary of M. K. Čiurlionis
On November 12–14, the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre will host the jubilee 25th international conference Principles of Music Composing: THE PHENOMENON OF SYNTHESIS, dedicated to the analysis of compositional issues and theoretical research.
The paper sessions will span three days, exploring the theme of synthesis from various perspectives. This topic aims not only to encourage deeper inquiry into the mysteries of interdisciplinary interactions and their musical potential, but also to honor the genius of creative syntheses by the remarkable Lithuanian artist M. K. Čiurlionis, marking the 150th anniversary of his birth.
As every year, the conference welcomes a wide range of international participants. This year, scholars and composers from Argentina, Australia, Estonia, Italy, the United Kingdom, Poland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Georgia, Serbia, Ukraine, and Germany will present their papers.
A highlight of the conference program will be the keynote lecture by one of the most prominent composers at the turn of the century, Professor Emeritus Dr. Michael Finnissy (University of Southampton), titled Synthesis–Composition–Spontaneity–Design.
On November 13 at 16:00, we invite you to a special lecture-listening session: The significance of the Critical Edition of the Symphonic Poems “In the Forest” and “The Sea”, where Dr. Charris Efthymiou (University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, LMTA Research Centre) will present the results of his work on the critical editions of M. K. Čiurlionis’s orchestral scores.
As usual, the conference will be accompanied by a concert program.
- On November 12 at 19:00, the traditional concert M. K. Čiurlionis’s Piano Cycles will take place at the “Organum” piano salon, featuring students of Jurgis Karnavičius.
- On November 13 at 19:00, the concert In Lumine will be held at St. Casimir’s Church, presenting five world premieres composed especially for this event. The program will include works by Rimantas Janeliauskas, Marius Baranauskas, Jonas Jurkūnas, Artūras Mikoliūnas, Mykolas Natalevičius, Vytautas Germanavičius, Paulius Prasauskas, and Paulius Stanulionis. Performers: Karolina Juodelytė (organ), Gunta Gelgotė (soprano), Laurynas Lapė (trumpet), and Albinas Gražulis (trombone).
We warmly invite you to actively participate in the conference events!
Paper sessions will be available both in-person and online via the YouTube platform (note: concerts and the November 13 lecture-listening session will not be streamed).
Streaming links:
November 12 https://youtube.com/live/2r44bP96wCw?feature=share
November 13 https://youtube.com/live/GFqo4IRWCCY?feature=share
November 14 https://youtube.com/live/mC7m8Jr_F_8?feature=share
The conference is organized by the Lithuanian Composers’ Union and the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre.
Sponsors: Lithuanian Council for Culture and Vilnius City Municipality.
Scholarly committee of the conference:
Prof. Dr. Rimantas Janeliauskas (Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre)
Prof. Dr. Antanas Kučinskas (Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre)
Prof. Dr. Mārtiņš Viļums (Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre)
Assoc. prof. Dr. Marius Baranauskas (Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre)
Prof. Dr. Pavel Puşcaş (Music Academy Cluj-Napoca, Romania)
Prof. Miloš Zatkalik (University of Arts in Belgrade, Serbia)
Prof. Roger Redgate (Goldsmiths, University of London, England)
Dr. Bert Van Herck (New England Conservatory of Music, USA)
Dr. Jānis Petraškevičs (Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, Latvia)
Dr. Martin Vishnick (United Kingdom.)
Coordinators of the conference:
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marius Baranauskas
Dr. Andrius Maslekovas.