International Kaunas Carillon Music Festival 2024

PROGRAMME 

Le Quattro Stagione / The Four Seasons

Antonio Vivaldi’s Le Quattro Stagioni / The Four Seasons is a timeless classic, and its melodies resonate beautifully on the carillon. During the festival, Belgian carillonneur Jan Verheyen will perform the entire masterpiece. As you listen, the music brings the seasons to life—you can almost feel the chill of winter, the joy of spring, the warmth of summer, and the storms and melancholy of autumn.

ORDER OF THE PIECES:

Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)

(arr. Arie Abbenes)

1 La Primavera / Spring

Allegro
Largo
Allegro

2 L’estate / Summer

Adagio non molto
Adagio
Presto

3 L’autunno / Autumn

Allegro
Adagio molto
Allegro

4 L’inverno / Winther

Allegro non molto
Largo
Allegro

ABOUT

Jan Verheyen, the city carillonneur of Hasselt and Neerpelt, is the visionary founder of Bells Lab. Through this innovative platform, he explores the creative potential of bells, crafting projects that span a wide range of musical genres and engage diverse audiences. Bells Lab is not just about music; it's a multidisciplinary endeavor active in theater, dance, education, and large-scale spectacles. Jan also leads educational initiatives for schools and conducts interactive bell workshops.

Central to his work is a unique touring carillon—a mobile instrument that can be played both indoors and outdoors, offering endless possibilities for artistic expression and community engagement.

Jan completed his musical studies at the Carillon School in Mechelen and the Netherlands Carillon Institute in Dordrecht. In 2019, he earned a master’s degree in music from Luca Arts in Leuven. A highly sought-after concertist both at home and abroad, Jan also teaches carillon at the Royal Carillon School in Mechelen, as well as at the academies of Mol and North Limburg.

PROGRAMME 

From folklore to classics 

During this special concert, the carillonneur, Urtė, is excited to share her favorite music with you while celebrating some significant anniversaries. She'll perform a mix of Lithuanian folk songs and European neoclassical pieces.

You’ll also be treated to excerpts from Ludus Modalis, an original work for carillon by the acclaimed Belgian-American composer Geert D’hollander.

A highlight of the evening will be the celebration of two important anniversaries for Kaunas. Giedrius Kuprevičius, a National Prize-winning composer and dedicated carillonneur, is celebrating his 80th birthday this year, and the concert will feature special arrangements of his works.

In addition, this year marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis. To honor this milestone, the program will include Čiurlionis’ harmonized Lithuanian folk songs, along with Kuprevičius’ moving dedication, "In Memory of Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis."

To close the concert, Urtė will be joined by Kaunas carillonneur Austėja Staniunaitytė-Proietta for a beautiful performance of Veronika’s aria from the musical "Veronika" by G. Kuprevičius.

ORDER OF THE PIECES:

Lithuanian Folk Songs

O kai sauliūtė tekėjo (U. Krutkevičiūtė's arrangement)

Mikalojus Konstatinas Čiurlionis (1875-1911)

Harmonizuotos liaudies dainos:

Oi lekia, lekia

Oi giria, giria

Dainų dainelė

Giedrius Kuprevičius (*1944)

Skriski, skriski Lietuvėlėn (U. Krutkevičūtė's arrangement)

Preliudas M. K. Čiurlionio atminimui (S. Žilevičius' arrangement)

Veronikos aria from musicle “Veronika” (playing Austėja Staniunaitytė-Proietta)

Geert D‘Hollander (*1965)

The Wellesley Carillon Studies (Wellesley kariliono etiudai): II, Mourning Voices

The Wellesley Carillon Studies (Wellesley kariliono etiudai): VII, Take Seven

Ludus Modalis I: I, Spring Morning

Ludus Modalis I: II, Layers

Ludus Modalis I: V, Sorrowing

Ludus Modalis I: VI, Melody

Max Richter (*1966)

She was running (M. Kazmierczak's arrangement)

Ludovico Einaudi (*1955)

Elegy for the Arctic (M. Kazmierczak's arrangement)

ABOUT

Urtė Krutkevičiūtė, born in 2007, Lithuania, Klaipėda, is a current Highschool student from Klaipėda Vydūnas gymnasium. Her interest in music formed from an early age, varying from piano studies, vocal lessons in choir and ensemble classes to musical reviews and folklore music analysis.

Urtė’s carillon journey started in 2022 Autum when the first session of “Atrask Karilioną” (Discover the carillon) program began, together with her mentor Monika Kazmierczak. For Urtė, this program is the perfect place to broaden her musical horizons, find new, exciting instruments and incorporate her other artistic interests while making arrangement pieces.

While still being a junior, Urtė is confident that her path after school will still be tied to music. The carillon instrument is a tool that helps her keep and grow the love for music while also gaining musical theory and practical knowledge.

PROGRAMME 

Feathers

Heavy bronze bells are anything but associated with fine downy feathers. But in this concert, carillon music sounds as soft as down, as light as a plume, as colourful and versatile as a feather!

Together we will clap, float, flutter and glide through well-known and lesser-known works and songs that have one thing in common: feathers and plumes. From a strange bird to a distant angel, in one colour or many, it's all possible! 

Classical and contemporary works, old and new songs fly by. Original works for carillon are also included. Swan Lake of Tchaikovsky, Papageno of the Zauberflote of Mozart, Die Walküre of Wagner, original carillon  compositions of Gurin and Malaise, songs of „The Beatles“, Sinatra, Williams,... give us wings.

So shuffle those feathers, shore up those legs and fly! Welcome to “Feathers”!

It is important to mention that during the concert, Witold Maciak (Poland) will perform a duet with Jasper Depraetere – a premiere in Lithuania: Loreta Narvilaitė's (1965) “Saulėlydžio jūros daina” (The Song of the Sunset Sea).

ORDER OF THE PIECES: 

The Cuckoo

Matthias Vanden Gheyn (1721 – 1785)

Prelude Coucou

Plumage on stage

Victor Massé (1822 – 1884)

Air du Rossignol

From the opera ‘Les Noces de Jeannette’              

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 – 1791)

Scènes from Papageno
Selection from the opera ‘Die Zauberflöte'

Pjotr Iljitsj Tsjaikovski (1840 – 1893)

Swan Lake Suite, Op. 20a, TH. 219

1. Scène
2. Valse
3. Dance of the Cygnettes
4. Czardas: Hungarian dance      
   

Lightly feathered fluttering

Loreta Narvilaité (°1965)

Song of the Sunset Sea* 

(carillon duet Jasper Depraetere, Witold Maciak) Lithuanian Premiere of the composition, performance dedicated to the city of Klaipeda and its currently silent carillon…

Alan Silvestri (°1950)

Feather theme

From the movie ‘Forrest Gump’

Jos Lerinckx (1920 - 2000)

Four White Ducklings 

Feathers in bronze

 Peter Pieters (°1957)
Twilight 

 Tom Gurin (°1995)
Things With Feathers               

Selection of feathered evergreens

 Randy Crawford (°1952)

 One day I Fly Away               

 Bart Howard (1915 – 2004)

 Fly Me To The Moon

 Paul McCartney (°1942)

Blackbird                

Arrangementen: Anton Brees (2), Jasper Depraetere (3, 4, 6, 10, 11, 12)

ABOUT

Jasper Depraetere began his carillon studies at age nine with Koen van Assche at the academy in Lier, where he also learned bass guitar and piano. By thirteen, he was balancing his studies in Lier with education at the Royal Carillon School in Mechelen, also under Koen van Assche, graduating with distinction in 2018. He then earned his master’s degree in carillon and music education with highest distinction from Carl Van Eyndhoven at Luca School of Arts (Lemmens, Leuven) in 2024, and spent the past year perfecting his chamber music skills.

In 2015, Jasper won the International Youth Carillon Competition in Deinze. The following year, he became president of the Lierse Carillon Society and began giving concerts both locally and internationally. In 2019, he earned second prize and the audience award at the prestigious Queen Fabiola International Carillon Competition.

Jasper is a sought-after guest carillonneur and has performed at numerous international festivals. Since 2020, he has served as the deputy city carillonneur of Lier, and from this year, he has also taken on the role of carillonneur for Mol.

PROGRAMME

The Bacchantes, a suite for carillon and electronics

The concert will feature harmonious, accessible music influenced by minimalism, reminiscent of Steve Reich. It will include a 30-minute jam/improvisation over an "electronic suite," designed to introduce carillon music to new listeners and offer a fresh perspective on the bells. Adding light effects would enhance the experience!

The second half of the program will focus on jazz—melodic and inviting, with no experimental elements. I’ll be performing my own arrangements of Beatles songs, pop hits, and modern jazz standards.

ORDER OF THE PIECES:  

Part 1: carillon solo

Milan Bonger (1975)

Field X

Beatles

Blackbird

Norwegian Wood

With a little help from my friends

Frank Zappa (1940-1993)

Peaches and Regalia

Uncle Meat

Jan Schröder (1979)

The significant other

Song For Nele

Fünf mark

Paul Maassen (1981)

Six weeks

Joshua Redman (1969)

Can a good Thing last forever

all arrangements for carillon by Paul Maassen

Part 2:

Paul Maassen (1981)

The Bacchantes, a suite for carillon and electronics

1. Introduction
2. Dionysos appears in Thebes, disguised as a human
3. Bacchantes choir interlude
4. King Pentheus plans punishment
5. Bacchantes choir interlude II; orgy
6. Capture and release of Dionysos
7. Bacchantes choir interlude III: killing of Pentheus
8. Agave, mother of Pentheus return to Thebe (and back to reality)
9. Bacchantes choir interlude
10. Dionysos appears as god: deus ex machina
11. Epilogue

Summary of the tragedy by Euripides:

An unusual stranger (in reality the god Dionysos), is the leader of a group of followers, called the Bacchantes. Disguised in human form, he arrives at the city of Thebes, coming from Asia. King Pentheus of Thebes resists heavily against Dionysos and his cult of Bacchantes with their festive orgies. All kinds of strange things start to happen in Thebes, and Pentheus plans to punish Dionysos for that. But Dionysos persuades Pentheus to visit one of the orgies, disguised as a woman. At the hysterical orgy, the mother of Pentheus, Agave, doesn’t recognize her son, but thinks he’s a lion. She and the other Bacchantes kill and behead Pentheus. Carrying his head back to Thebes, her father brings her back to reality and she realises, she killed her own son. Dionysos appears now as the god he actually is, to punish the family of Pentheus for their disbelief.

ABOUT

Paul Maassen, the esteemed city carillonneur of Breda, is a notable figure in the world of carillon music. Carrying on a proud family tradition that began with his great-grandfather in 1923, Maassen is the fourth generation in his family to serve as a city carillonneur in Breda. His musical journey began with a focus on jazz piano at the Rotterdam Conservatory before he went on to earn his Master’s Degree in both piano and carillon at the Utrecht Conservatory in 2009.

Maassen's unique approach to carillon music is deeply influenced by his jazz background. This blend of genres allows him to explore and introduce innovative interpretations and compositions for the carillon, enriching the tradition with fresh perspectives. His performances, both in the Netherlands and internationally, showcase his distinctive style and dedication to the craft.

In addition to his work as a carillonneur, Maassen also excels as a musical director in the realm of musical theatre. His talents extend to jazz piano, where he is an active member of the Utrecht-based collective “Jazz Archipel,” further demonstrating his versatility and passion for music.

PROGRAMME

Dribbling

In 2024, the Kaunas Festival will feature a groundbreaking performance of „Dribbling“, an innovative piece that merges carillon, electric guitar, and voice in a captivating sonic exploration. This composition presents an evocative dialogue between the ethereal tones of the carillon and the dynamic textures of the electric guitar, enhanced by vocal melodies.

ABOUT

Raimundas Eimontas is a key figure in Lithuania's experimental and avant-garde music scene. A founding member of the influential band "N!N!N!", he pushes genre boundaries with his improvisational, genre-blending approach. His work, spanning experimental, psychedelic, electronica, and more, evolves intuitively, transforming performances into fluid, meditative experiences. Eimontas's innovative style invites audiences on a journey through new sonic landscapes.

Roberta Daugėlaitė is a versatile musician with a solid foundation in classical training. A graduate of Kaunas J. Naujalis Music Gymnasium and the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, she holds a Master’s degree in Concertmaster. Daugėlaitė is an active member of the international women’s vocal ensemble Graces & Voices, the early music group In Campo Aperto, and serves as the organist at Kaunas Vytautas the Great Church. She is also involved with the mixed choir Cantate Domino and is the chief concertmaster at the Kaunas boys' choir singing school "Varpelis."

PROGRAMME 

A Tower Filled With Music

In this concert, the performer will guide the audience on a captivating journey through space and time. The program will feature a diverse array of compositions, beginning with Renaissance psalm settings and baroque dances, moving through melancholic Romantic pieces, and concluding with minimalist and contemporary works from the 20th and 21st centuries.

The musical voyage will span several countries, including Lithuania, Poland, the USA, and France, showcasing works by notable composers such as Arvo Pärt, Philip Glass, Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck, Marta Ptaszyńska, and Staf Nees.

ORDER OF THE PIECES: 

Philip Glass (*1937) 

Glassworks

-Opening (arr. W. Maciak)

Geert D’hollander (*1965) 

Ludus Modalis I 

- Melody

- Sorrowing

Arvo Pärt (*1935) 

Für Alina

Denis Gaultier (1603? - 1672)  

Le tombeau de Monsieur de l'Enclos (arr. W. Maciak)

Ennemond Gaultier (1575 - 1651) 

Sarabande (from Bauyn manuscript, arr. W. Maciak)

Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck (1562-1621) 

Psalm 23 (1, arr. B. Winsemius)

Staf Nees (1901-1965) 

Fantasia I

Marta Ptaszyńska (*1943) 

Dzwony św. Katarzyny

The piece was dedicated for the 700th anniversary of Vilnius, Lithuanian Premiere of the composition.

ABOUT

Witold Maciak is a harpsichordist, microtonal composer, and performer currently studying at ZPSM nr. 1 in Warsaw and the Royal Carillon School "Jef Denyn" in Mechelen, Belgium. His training includes a range of carillon courses and lessons both in Poland and internationally, where he has learned from prominent figures such as Eddy Mariën, Monika Kaźmierczak, Rien Donkersloot, and Boudewijn Zwart.