First Ever Lithuanian Piano Duo Tour in Japan

The Lithuanian piano duo’s of Ruta and Zbignevas Ibelhauptas will be on their first concert tour in Japan August 13-24. This is a part of the cultural events program launched by the Lithuanian embassy in Tokyo this year to mark the Millennium of the name of Lithuania and “Vilnius - European Capital of Culture 2009”. The tour is co-organized with EU-Japan Fest Japan Committee, Miyazaki International Youth Music Festival 2009 and Kuji city.

Since 1989 the pianists Rūta and Zbignevas Ibelhauptas are tireless promoters of piano duo genre winning the audiences with exciting programmes and fresh approach to performance. The interaction of their many-faceted fields of interest and their romantic-charismatic image is fascinating indeed: always willing to please the audience with their virtuoso bravura, the Ibelhauptas Duo excellently conforms to all standards of “ascetic” academism as well, and at the same time challenges their listeners to discover the uncharted territories of new music.

The duo will give recital in Miyazaki on August 13 and joint Miyazaki Junior Orchestra in the performance of new age musicale ‘pixy Prophesy“ by Miyazaki resident David Kerrison on August 16. Both concerts are presented by Miyazaki International Youth Musical Festival at Miyzaki Shimin Bunka Hall and is a part of the ”Lithuanian Fair“ hold August 12-16 at the same hall. The ”Lithuanian Fair“ will feature Marius Jovaisa photo exhibition Unseen Lithuania, recently successfully shown at Hillside Forum in Tokyo. In addition, creative workshops for children, exposition of Lithuanian art and photo books Lithuanian café are scheduled.

August 19, the duo will perform in Kuji Bunka kaikan (Amber Hall). The concert will commemorate the 20th anniversary of sister-cities relations between Kuji and Lithuania Klaipeda.

The duo fill complete their Japan tour in Tokyo, Tsuda Hall on August 24, 7 pm. The concert program in Tokyo includes M. K.Čiurlionis’ (1875-1911) Symphonic poem ”In the forest“ and Gintaras Sodeika’s (b. 1961) Tone ontology No.2 for two pianos, as well as A. Gondai’s (b. 1965)  ”69“ for two pianos, M. Ravel’s  Feria from  ”Rapsodie espagnole“,  S. Rachmaninov’s   Suite No.2, op.17 and M. Infante’s  Andalusian dances.