Northern Colors | Stein Skjervold, Giedrė Muralytė

Scandinavian classical vocal music is exceptionally rich and reflects the region’s unique culture and history. This musical style is characterized by lyrical melodies, expressive harmonies, and a deep connection to nature and folklore. Composers such as Edvard Grieg, Ture Rangström, Wilhelm Stenhammar, Christian Sinding, and Jean Sibelius have made significant contributions to this genre, each bringing their own distinctive voice and style. The works of these eminent composers will be presented in the program “Colors of the North” by baritone Stein Skjervold (Norway) and pianist Giedrė Muralytė.

Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg is known for his ability to capture the essence of Norwegian folk music in his compositions. His vocal music often features simple yet extraordinarily beautiful melodies reminiscent of Norway’s natural landscapes. The music of Swedish composer Ture Rangström often explores themes of love, nature, and existential reflections, and the works themselves demand a high level of technical skill from the performers. Another Swedish composer, Wilhelm Stenhammar, is recognized for his contributions to both vocal and instrumental music. Stenhammar often draws inspiration from Swedish poetry and literature for his songs. The Norwegian composer Christian Sinding is best known for his song cycles and individual songs, which reflect the Romantic tradition. His vocal music is characterized by rich harmonies and expressive melodies, often inspired by the natural beauty of the Norwegian landscape. The Finnish composer Jean Sibelius is renowned for his ability to convey the spirit of Finland through his music. His vocal works often incorporate elements of Finnish folk music and mythology.

These composers have each contributed in their own way to the Scandinavian tradition of classical vocal music and helped shape it into the diverse tradition we know today.

During the concert, the music will be accompanied by projections of paintings by Scandinavian artists from the 19th and early 20th centuries. The lyrics of the songs performed will be translated into Lithuanian.

Programme:

Ture Rangström (Sweden, 1884–1947)
From 5 Poems by Bo Bergman:
Vingar i natten (Wings in the Night)
Du och jag (You and I)
Melodi (Melody)

Edvard Grieg (Norway, 1843–1907)
Piano:
Melodi (Melody), from Lyric Pieces II, Op. 38
Vals (Waltz), from Lyric Pieces I, Op. 12

Christian Sinding (Norway, 1856–1941)
From The Madman’s Songs:
Jeg går og leder (I Go Searching)
Høst på Heien (Autumn on the Heath)
Majnat (May Night)

Edvard Grieg (Norway, 1843–1907)
Piano:
Sommerfugl (Butterfly), from Lyric Pieces III, Op. 43
Melodi (Melody), from Lyric Pieces IV, Op. 47

Wilhelm Stenhammar (Sweden, 1871–1927)
5 Poems by Bo Bergman:
Stjärnöga (Starry Eye)
Vid fönstret (By the Window)
Gammel Nederländare (The Old Dutchman)
Månsken (Moonlight)
Adagio

Edvard Grieg (Norway, 1843–1907)
6 Poems, Op. 25:
Spillemaend (Minstrels)
En Svane (A Swan)
Stambogsrim (Album Verses)
Med en Vandlilje (With a Water Lily)
En Fuglevise (A Bird Song)

Edvard Grieg (Norway, 1843–1907)
Piano:
Berceuse, from Lyric Pieces II, Op. 38

Jean Sibelius (Finland, 1865–1957)
Flickan kom ifrån sin älsklings möte (The Girl Returned from Meeting Her Lover)
Säv, säv, susa (Reeds, Reeds, Rustle)
Spånet på vattnet (The Shaving on the Water)

Wilhelm Stenhammar (Sweden, 1871–1927)
Florez och Blanzeflor (Florez and Blanzeflor)

About the Performers:

Stein Skjervold – Norwegian baritone. The singer has lived in Lithuania for 15 years and is actively involved in the country’s musical life. As a soloist, he has performed with various ensembles, including the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra, Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra, Klaipėda Chamber Orchestra, the Vilnius String Quartet and the Vilnius Choir. The Lied genre holds a particularly important place in his repertoire. He has performed almost all major song cycles of the German Lied tradition, with the works of Hugo Wolf, Johannes Brahms and Franz Schubert holding particular significance. Following one of Skjervold’s recitals, the cultural weekly 7 meno dienos described him as a “master of miniatures.” Skjervold currently teaches chamber music and solo singing at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (LMTA).

Giedrė Muralytė – pianist, performing as a soloist, accompanist and chamber musician in Lithuania, France, Italy, Greece, Georgia, Germany and Finland. During her studies, she began developing a focused collaboration with Lithuanian and international singers. Her repertoire as a pianist and accompanist is extensive, with particular focus on Benjamin Britten’s vocal music, German Romantic composers and contemporary Scandinavian music. She has given important recitals at Vilnius Town Hall, Kaunas State Philharmonic, the Lithuanian National Philharmonic and the Royal Opera House Muscat in Oman, among others. She also actively participates with Lithuanian and international performers in various international festivals, including Druskininkai Summer with M. K. Čiurlionis (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2016), Sugrįžimai (2011, 2014, 2017) and Užutrakio vakarai. Her work has received positive reviews from music critics. In 2021, she released the CD Waves.