St. Christopher chamber orchestra

Founded in 1994 under the initiative of Donatas Katkus, the orchestra is named after St. Christopher as this patron of travelers decorates the coat of arms of the City of Vilnius. The orchestra, functioning under the aegis of the city, serves as a representative par excellence of Vilnius musical culture. The orchestra is composed of the most promising musical talents of Lithuania who draw in their performance both from the strengths of the Russian violin school and from the European cultural tradition. A number of the orchestra musicians are prizewinners of various international competitions. The orchestra embraces several chamber ensembles, string quartets, and solo performers who appear extensively both in Lithuania and abroad.In 1994 the orchestra made its spectacular debut, which was described as having “a brilliant potential”. Each concert season was marked by a tremendous advance in the artistic niveau of the orchestra. During the nine years of existence the orchestra has gained national and international recognition; it has made successful appearances in all the major festivals and musical events of Lithuania as well as toured extensively abroad.The ensemble has performed in a number of festivals: Wraclavia Cantants (Poland), Tubin Festival (Finland), Pärnu Festival (Estonia), Europäisches Musikfest Münsterland (Germany), Musikfestival Kaskados (Germany), Festival “Mystik und Maschine” (Germany), Hermann Hesse Festival (Germany), Berlin Jazz Festival (Germany), has toured in France, Spain, Sweden, Russia, Finland, Germany and many other countries. Among its highly successful performances was a concert on the stage of the legendary Théatre des Champs-Elysées in 2003.The President of the Republic of Lithuania, the Ministry of Culture and the Mayor of Vilnius have expressed their appreciation of the orchestra’s contribution to Lithuanian culture in their letters of acknowledgement. In 2002 the orchestra won the prestigious Christopher award of the City of Vilnius.The Christopher Chamber Orchestra is distinguished by a unique stylistic universalism. The ensemble plays baroque music in an authentic manner; in fact, it initiated the rebirth of baroque musical style in Lithuania. The orchestra performs classical music with an exceptionally vivid articulation and continues the Russian tradition of romantic music interpretation.The Orchestra is well known as a daring and innovative ensemble, which is keen on expanding its repertoire and is constantly involved in a number of original projects, such as jazz performances, rock operas or pop-events. It also has a reputation of an “old scores reviver” as well as a patron of young musicians and composers. Each year it gives special concerts designed to promote the music of young Lithuanian composers. A very special place in the repertoire of the orchestra is occupied by modern music. The ensemble has performed the greatest bulk of contemporary Lithuanian chamber music, much of which is dedicated to the orchestra. Following the success of the performances, a number of famous Lithuanian composers, such as Osvaldas Balakauskas and Bronius Kutavicius, were awarded Lithuanian National Prizes. No less attention is given to contemporary music written by foreign composers. The orchestra performs compositions of Peteris Vasks (Latvia), Erkki-Sven Tüür (Estonia), Pehr Henrik Nordgren, Shih (Austria), Axel Ruoff (Germany), Roberto Sierra (USA), Anatol Vieru (Romania), John McCabe (Great Britain) and many others.The orchestra has performed under the baton of such distinguished conductors as Denis Russel Davies, Juha Kangas, Stefan Fraas, Jonas Aleksa, Rinaldo Alessandrini and many others.A number of outstanding soloists have appeared with the orchestra; to name just a few- flutists Jean Ferrandis, Bonita Boid, Robert Aitken, Carsten Hustedt, recorder player Michaela Petri, guitarist Reinbert Evers, violinists Jacques Israelievitch, Moti Shmit, Raimondas Katilius, Rusn.. Mataityte, Rasma Lielmane, cellists Dominique de Williencourt, Maria Kliegel, violists Michel Michalakakos, Hartmut Lindemann, Jone Kaliunaite, Ula Zebriunaite, pianists Caroline Sageman, Tamami Honma, Jan Krzysztof Broja as well as the most celebrated Lithuanian vocalists and choirs.The Christopher Chamber Orchestra has recorded over 20 CDs; its records are released in the USA (“Fleur De Son Classics”), Germany (“Ambitus”), Sweden (“BIS”), Great Britain (“Dutton”) and Lithuania (“Tembras”, “Bomba”). The ensemble cooperates with Stutgart SWR, Karlsruhe, Helsinki and other radio stations.The orchestra is one of the organizers of the annual Christopher Summer Festival in Vilnius, which provides a marvellous opportunity of implementing the most ambitious musical projects.