Visionaries & Trailblazers: from Čiurlionis to Messiaen

Visionaries & Trailblazers: From Čiurlionis to Messiaen

In celebration of the 150th anniversary of Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis (1875-1911) and the 120th anniversary of Vytautas Bacevičius (1905-1970), the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture together with the Lithuanian American Community Cultural Council Welcome you to a performance by pianist Gabrielius Alekna on Sunday, October 26, 2025 at 2 PM at historic Ganz Hall located in the Auditorium Building, Roosevelt University, 430 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60605.

Mr. Alekna juxtaposes works of Čiurlionis and Bacevičius, the two giants of Lithuanian music, showcasing them in the context of stylistically related works by their contemporaries Szymanowski, Janáček, Scriabin, Hauer, Jolivet, and Messiaen. The program illuminates the sometimes-unexpected interactions, influences, and interconnectedness of artistic developments of the time.

The decision to present the works of Čiurlionis and Bacevičius side by side was prompted by various aspects connecting the two composers, which have received little attention until now. The legacies of both composers are like two giant steps in Lithuanian music, far ahead of the Lithuanian art of their time (in Čiurlionis' case, this refers to his works for piano after 1904, when he began painting). Čiurlionis's significance needs no proof. Meanwhile, the composer and pianist Vytautas Bacevičius (1905-1970) is widely recognized today as the most important figure in Lithuanian musical culture in the mid-20th century. Bacevičius was unmatched among his contemporary Lithuanian composers in the abundance and originality of his piano and orchestral works. In interwar Lithuania, Bacevičius was the main leader of the modernist music movement and was also the only Lithuanian performer to gain international recognition (it was not until much later, in the 1970s, that instrumental soloists of his rank emerged in Lithuania).

Čiurlionis and Bacevičius are linked by their constructivist compositional style, especially in their later works. Both artists' work is also characterized by a cosmic, visionary impulse, particularly in Čiurlionis' art and Bacevičius' creative method, the titles of his works, and his self-image as an artist.

Although the works of both Čiurlionis and Bacevičius are now considered the greatest achievements of Lithuanian musical culture of the early and mid-20th century, at the time they were either misunderstood and underappreciated or simply unknown. After his period in Vilnius, Čiurlionis unsuccessfully sought recognition in St. Petersburg, while Bacevičius did so in New York after his period in Kaunas. The modernism of both artists seemed to "fail to take root" and their musical language was not continued by any obvious students or followers.

Both artists were linked by their largely Polish-influenced childhood and youth and by their consequential decision to become conscious Lithuanians as already-formed creators. However, their Lithuanian identity and perception of their homeland were severely tested. When Čiurlionis was creating, Lithuania did not exist as a state. Bacevičius spent most of his creative life in the United States, cut off from Lithuania by the Iron Curtain.

In addition to works by Čiurlionis and Bacevičius, the recital program includes works by Karol Szymanowski, Josef Matthias Hauer, Alexander Skriabin, Leoš Janaček, AndréJolivet, and Olivier Messiaen.

More about pianist Gabrielius Alekna: www.gabrieliusalekna.com

Tickets

• General Admission – $35
• Student Tickets – $15
• Patron Tickets – $100

Patron Tickets include exclusive seating in the first two rows of the venue. Your Patron ticket also directly supports the museum's performing arts program.

For phone reservations, please call (773)582-6590

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Program

Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis (1875–1911) – Dedication, VL 169

Karol Szymanowski – Prelude Op. 1, No. 1

Čiurlionis – Prelude VL 257 (on es-a-b-c)

Josef Matthias Hauer – from 16 pieces after Hoelderlin, Op. 25 – No. 9

Čiurlionis – Prelude on Motule mano (My dear Mother), VL 340

Leoš Janáček – In the Mists, I. Andante

Vytautas Bacevičius (1905–1970) – Poème astral, Op. 7

Alexander Scriabin – 2 Poèmes, Op. 71

I. Fantastique

II. En rêvant, avec une grande douceur

Čiurlionis – Prelude, VL 266

Lakštingala (Nightingale), VL 268

Prelude, VL 307

Olivier Messiaen – Prelude No. 8 Un reflet dans le vent... (A reflection in the wind...)

Čiurlionis – Jūra (The Sea), a cycle of three small landscapes, VL 317 a-c

André Jolivet – from Mana

Nr. 1 Beaujolais

No. 6 Pégase

Bacevičius – Sixieme mot (The Sixth Word), Op. 72

About Gabrielius Alekna

Described by Daniel Barenboim as “a highly gifted pianist and musician,” Gabrielius Alekna has built a prolific performance and recording career bridging the cultures of his birth country of Lithuania and his present home of the United States. Graduate of the Juilliard School with a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree, Gabrielius Alekna is the winner of the second prize at the 2005 International Beethoven Piano Competition in Vienna, Austria. His performance credits include solo recitals at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, National Gallery in Washington, D.C.; concerto appearances with the Vienna Radio Symphony, Juilliard (New York), and Bilkent Symphony (Turkey) Orchestras as well as with every major orchestra and ensemble in his native Lithuania. He recorded and premiered works by composers such as Žibuoklė Martinaitytė and Vytautas Bacevičius on “Ondine,” “Toccata Classics,” and “Naxos” labels. More information at www.gabrieliusalekna.com

About the Venue: Historic" Ganz Hall" at Roosevelt University

One of the true gems of Chicago architecture, Rudolph Ganz Memorial Hall is a stunning performance space that sparkles with refined ornamentation. Stained glass windows, gold-leaf stenciled arches, intricate steel chandeliers, and hand-painted murals combine for a breathtaking whole, whether you are performer or audience.

Featuring the work of French painter Albert Fleury, designer Louis Millet and his collaborator George Healy, and architects Louis Sullivan, Dankmar Adler, and Frank Lloyd Wright, the hall is one of our city’s ultimate examples of artistic collaboration. In 2003, Ganz Hall received the Chicago Landmark Award for Preservation Excellence, and in 2005 was honored with the American Institute of Architects Chicago Design Excellence Award.

This program is possible through partial support from the Lithuanian Foundation, Lithuanian American Community Cultural Council, the Illinois Arts Council, City of Chicago Department of Culture and Special Events and CityArts, Chicago Sister Cities International Vilnius Committee, and the members and private donors of the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture.