"The Rue is the national flower of Lithuania, and the Rose is that for England – each flower possesses their own powerful symbolisms. This program will seek to immerse the audience in a bouquet of breath-taking soundscapes and stories. It will range from the astonishing imagery of the composer and painter Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis (1875-1911) and encapsulates the work of many remarkable contemporary Lithuanian and English composers. I am delighted to be able to present the world premiere performance of a work especially composed for me by Sadie Harrison as well as being able to give the UK premiere of a work by Raminta Serksnyte."
Sadie writes about the piece: "Written especially for Lauryna Sableviciute, A Book of Stars and Sorrows (Žvaigždžių ir sielvarto knyga) for solo piano is a celebration of the folk music, mythology and art of Lithuania. Each of the movements is inspired by a traditional song or sutartinė and a wood carving (dating from the 15th - 20th century) that illustrates an aspect of the text. As the title suggests, I have chosen texts that reflect two recurrent themes in Lithuanian culture - nature and mourning, the two frequently linked together in ritual songs and legends. Celestial bodies are often described in terms of the human family - the sun is the mother, the moon the father, and stars the sisters of human beings, their journeying across the sky reflecting the laws of nature and cycles of life in joy and sorrow. The third, fifth and sixth movements are meditations on death, the terror of war and the lamenting of the bereaved family. The first performance of A Book was given by Lauryna on 10 August 2024 at Stoller Hall, Manchester."
