Rokas Zubovas (piano) & Phil Von (electronics, voice) project “Going Towards Peace” (“Eiti ramybėn”)
“These composers, developing music, make a song out of a little tune, and a symphony out of a song, thus advancing a truly cultural music” – Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis.
It is not easy to maintain dignity and spiritual peace in these difficult times of universal uncertainty. Well-educated and sensitive artist Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis (1875-1911) found comfort and support in Lithuanian folk music during difficult moments in his life. Even today M. K. Čiurlionis remains as the most important Lithuanian composer and visual artist as well as the father of the Lithuanian national composition school.
In the melodies and consonances polished over the centuries, the classic felt a versatility that is perfect for people of modern times as well. Not only did he enthusiastically create new, very modern music based on folk music at the time, but he also commissioned future artists to continue this work.
This assignment is consistently carried out by one of the world’s most famous music experts and performers of M.K. Čiurlionis, his great-grandson, pianist Rokas Zubovas. He has recorded and released numerous albums with music by M.K. Čiurlionis, including a monumental anthology of six CDs with the book “M.K. Čiurlionis. Pieces for piano”. As a soloist, a member of various chamber ensembles and the piano duo “Duo Zubovas”, the pianist has successfully performed in many countries in Europe, North and South America.
In 2018, Rokas Zubovas got acquainted with the French electronic and theater music creator and actor Phil Von, who has been living in Vilnius for several years.
Phil Von’s previous music, especially that of his band Von Magnet, has a strong influence on flamenco and other styles of folk music, which is why critics have called it electro-flamenco. While living in Vilnius, Phil Von created and often performs live a program of electronic interpretations of Lithuanian folk music and recordings of Lithuanian neo-folk performers. In 2019, he produced the solo album of the composer Algirdas Klova “The Flow of Versmė”.
The duo soon introduced a program in which M.K. Pieces for piano based on Čiurlionis’ Lithuanian folk songs sound in a freer, modern interpretation by Rokas Zubovas. During the concert, Phil Von transforms the sound of the piano with various electronic devices and complements it with the natural sounds of nature and electronic instruments.
Placed in a digital futuristic medium, the electronically transmuted piano chords saturated with folk music sound like a space orchestra. They seem to be looking for ways to find a way to spiritual balance in an extremely intense, aggressive everyday life, which is why the authors of the project called it “Going Towards Peace” (“Eiti ramybėn”).
Recordings from the programme were used for the sound design of the interactive virtual reality installation “Trail of Angels”, based on the paintings of M.K. Čiurlionis, which has won several international awards.
Selected recordings of “Going towards peace” were released on vinyl as well as digital
Limited Edition 12″ Vinyl
+ Digital Album
Piano & arrangements by Rokas Zubovas.
Electronics, mixing & production by Phil Von.
Supported by the Lithuanian Neighbouring Rights Association AGATA.
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Works:
Introduction (Oi lekia lekia VL 273).
Lost Horizon (Aš pasėjau rūtelę VL 280).
The Storm Within (Prelude in D minor VL 256).
Last Spring (Oi, giria, giria VL 276).
Higher Zenith (Išėjo mergelė VL 278).
Autumn Tones (Subatos vakarėlį VL 286).
Winter Reign (Ar vėja pūtė / Vienam kiemely VL 274).
Kissed by Dawn (Bėkit, bareliai VL 279).
Serenity/Ramybė (based on a composition by Mindaugas Urbaitis).
Scent of Dusk (Šlama vilneliai).
