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Performers:
Kaunas Big Band (chief conductor Tomas Botyrius), Kaunas State Choir (artistic director and chief conductor Robertas Šervenikas) and soloist Akvilė Garbenčiūtė-Bučienė (vocals).
Conductor – Robertas Šervenikas.
At the concert "Choir Jazz" you will hear both groups in a slightly different role than usual. The program will feature the work of the legendary American composer Duke Ellington "Sacred concerto" (lit. Spiritual concert) for choir, big band, organ and soprano. It is a combination of jazz, gospel and classical music, in which the traditions of the genre that existed in the 17th century and jazz music of the 20th century intertwine, turning the work into a festive and cheerful celebration of praise. D. Ellington created three works of this genre and called them "the best thing I have ever done". This concert is the second, its premiere took place in 1968. After the first performance, critics wrote that "the material is new, it is far from a collection of old and new pieces, but in order to be as universal as possible, D. Ellington used new techniques and sounds that go beyond the usual big band spectrum." This upbeat piece has been performed on stages around the world to this day, and will be coming to Lithuania for the first time.
