Orchestral works by Bach, Vivaldi, Händel and Telemann

Ensemble Canto Fiorito (Lithuania)

Rodrigo Calveyra, conductor, recorder (Brazil/France) 

Klaipėda Chamber Orchestra (Lithuania)

Mindaugas Bačkus, artistic director, cello

Renata Dubinskaitė, mezzo-soprano

Konrad Levicki, violin

Tomas Cinelis, violin

Anna Luiza Aleksandrow-Bertash, viola d‘amore

Ivan Bertash, alto

Jacopo Raffaele, harpsichord (Italy)

Marking the beginning of a new tradition at the Kretinga Early Music Festival, the Klaipėda Chamber Orchestra will present an annual pre-festival concert each June, featuring renowned soloists from the international early music scene.

For this inaugural edition, the spotlight turns inward: the orchestra's own musicians take center stage as soloists, offering a brilliant exhibition of their exceptional technical skill and expressive musicality.

The carefully selected repertoire celebrates the most emblematic composers of the Baroque period — a festive and vibrant program where every musician becomes a soloist, and the spirit of collaboration shines. With works that highlight the dynamic interplay of voices and instruments, this concert honors both the rich legacy of Baroque music and the artistry of those who bring it to life today.

At the heart of the program are four towering figures of the Baroque:

Johann Sebastian Bach stands as the intellectual and emotional architect of the Baroque, blending expressive depth with unparalleled contrapuntal mastery.

Antonio Vivaldi, known for his dazzling concertos and rhythmic vitality, brings fiery energy and lyricism to every movement.

George Frideric Händel combines dramatic intensity and noble grandeur, creating music that is both theatrical and deeply human.

Georg Philipp Telemann, one of the most prolific and inventive composers of the age, enriches the program with his stylistic variety, wit, and elegant craftsmanship.

Together, their works form a brilliant mosaic of the Baroque spirit — full of contrast, color, and vitality — where each piece becomes a celebration of virtuosity, creativity, and joy.

Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) Concerto grosso in D minor, RV565

Allegro

Adagio e spiccato

Allegro

Largo e spiccato

Allegro

Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767) Concerto for viola and strings in G dur, TWV 51:G9

Largo

Allegro

Andante

Presto

Georg Friedrich Händel (1685-1759) aria Lord to thee, each Night and Day from oratorio Theodora, HWV 68

Anonymous (Lenkija/Poland, 1750 c.) Concerto for viola d'amore, two flutes, strings and basso continuo in B major

Allegro

Andante

Allegro

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, BWV 1043

Vivace

Largo ma non tanto

Allegro

Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) Concerto for Flute and strings in D major, RV 428

Allegro

Cantabile

Allegro

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) aria Kommt, ihr angefochtnen Sünder from cantata Freue dich, erlöste Schaar BWV30

The Klaipėda Chamber Orchestra (KKO) is one of the most dynamic professional chamber orchestras in Lithuania. The ensemble was founded in 1992 at the initiative of violist Liuda Kuraitienė. A major step forward in its artistic development came in 2009 when cellist Mindaugas Bačkus became its artistic director.

KKO is committed to engaging and educating its audience by presenting a broad palette of musical styles and genres spanning various eras — from the Baroque period to contemporary compositions. However, what truly distinguishes the orchestra from other Lithuanian ensembles is its professional approach to 18th-century repertoire and its dedication to historically informed performance practices. Although KKO performs Baroque music on modern string instruments, since 2019 it has been using specially designed Baroque bows and playing in Baroque pitch. The orchestra continues to grow artistically through collaborations with internationally renowned early music specialists and performers, such as Reinhard Goebel, Bruno Cocset, Enrico Onofri, Dmitry Sinkovsky, Chouchane Siranossian, Maurice Steger, Rodrigo Calveyra, Vincent Bernhard, and others.

As its repertoire expands, so does the orchestra’s touring geography. KKO has performed not only at numerous festivals in Lithuania but also abroad, in countries including Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Italy, Switzerland, Russia, and others.