Vilnius University Invites You to the Concert “Solo with Oktava”: Never-Before-Heard Works to Be Performed in Lithuania

On April 24, the Vilnius University (VU) wind orchestra Oktava invites music lovers to the premiere of its new orchestral program — the concert “Solo with Oktava.” This is the orchestra’s first concert dedicated entirely to solo performances, showcasing works of various genres with solo parts performed by instrumentalists who have grown up musically within Oktava.

The audience will hear 12 solo pieces accompanied by the wind orchestra, featuring trumpet, trombone, saxophone, euphonium, clarinet, flute, and piano solos. In addition, an accordionist will perform with Oktava, and — quite unusually for a wind orchestra — there will also be a solo performance on electric guitar.

The new program includes pieces that are rarely found not only in Lithuanian but also in international wind and big band repertoires. One such example is Paul Hart’s “Remembrance (For Jim),” a duet for flute and piano with wind orchestra accompaniment, never before performed in Lithuania.

“In jazz and big band music, the flute is a much rarer voice compared to its woodwind counterparts — saxophones and clarinets. There’s a very simple and logical reason for that: the flute simply cannot produce the same volume as standard big band instruments. However, if you dig deep enough into jazz repertoire, you can find real gems — and ‘Remembrance’ is exactly one of those!” says Oktava flutist Irina Bukina.

Another highlight of the concert will be Otto M. Schwarz’s impressive piece “Saxpack.” “This piece will appeal to everyone — it blends groovy Latin rhythms, melodious ballad-style lines, plenty of opportunities for improvisation and modern saxophone techniques, all backed by a stunning orchestral accompaniment. And the solo part is performed not by one, but two saxophones!” says orchestra concertmaster and saxophonist Evaldas Masalskis.

The “Solo with Oktava” program has already been recorded in a studio session, and the orchestra plans to release its third full-length album this summer. The vision behind this concert and the upcoming album is to promote high-quality wind, big band, and jazz music and to establish VU’s Oktava — active since 1951 — as one of the strongest, most unique, and virtuosic ensembles not only in Lithuania’s amateur orchestra scene but also as a group ready to challenge professionals.

“Oktava stands out for its diverse, colorful programs — that’s our strength: we can and want to play all kinds of music. But this Sunday’s concert will be not only playfully and distinctively ‘Oktava’ in style — it will also bring a new level of conceptual depth, as the entire program is made up of solo works. It marks a fresh direction in the orchestra’s creative journey,” says Oktava’s artistic director Albinas Kučinskas.

Through “Solo with Oktava” and the upcoming album, the orchestra aims to enrich the repertoire of Lithuanian wind and big band music by adding new and refreshing colors in the form of solo pieces. The hope is that other wind orchestras will discover these lesser-known works, invite their own soloists to shine, and be inspired to seek out interesting new compositions.

The concert “Solo with Oktava” will take place on April 24 at 5 PM in the Grand Aula of Vilnius University (M. K. Čiurlionio St. 21). The event is organized with the support of the Vilnius University Culture Center and is free of charge.

More information about the concert can be found on the
[“Solo with Oktava” Facebook event page].