Description
The project aims to extend the cross-cultural connection between Iceland and Lithuania, to disseminate professional music in the regions, and to promote the integration of children at risk in culture. This will be pursued by involving two contemporary music ensembles - New Ideas Chamber Orchestra (NICO) from Lithuania and Skark quartet from Iceland. Both of these string ensembles have similar music and performance approaches and experience of the artists. Concerts by NICO and Skark will take place in the regional towns of Lithuania - Kintai and Kėdainiai, as well as in the capital of Iceland – Reykjavik. The programme will include compositions created by the Lithuanian composer and artistic director of NICO - Gediminas Gelgotas, performer and composer of the Skark quartet, as well as by the Jewish 19th century composer, Wolf Ebann. At the end of the project, a CD or DVD with live concert recordings will be released. One of the essential aspirations of the project is to encourage children and youth (including children from orphanages) to be interested in the music of the past and in professional art more generally. Therefore, educational workshops with musicians will be organized for this target group.
Summary of project results
The New Ideas Chamber Orchestra NICO (Lithuania) and the string quartet SKARK (Iceland) created a joint composition of contemporary music that included a piece of the XIXth century Jewish composer Wolf Ebann. It was presented in several regional towns of Lithuania and the Icelandic Chamber Music Festival. Apart from the concerts, creative workshops were organized to introduce children to professional music. Concerts were recorded on CD which was specially presented on 11 February, commemorating the 25th anniversary since Iceland (the first in the world) recognized the independence of Lithuania. The project was aimed at dissemination of professional music in the regions and development of intercultural dialogue between Iceland and Lithuania.
Summary of bilateral results
Project partnership resulted in cooperation established between string ensembles NICO (Lithuania) and Skark (Iceland) for common concerts and creative workshops. This enriched the artists and audiences involved, and developed cooperation of the two countries in the field of music.