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Precizity: A.Malcys believes that music creation may be equaled to the activities of a mathematician.

Composer Arvydas Malcys believes: creation of symphonic music may be equaled to the activities of a mathematician. And he is glad to know that he never creates his work for storing them in a drawer, without a hope to present them to performers.

At Kaunas Philharmonic, symphony No. 3 "Grunwald" by Arvydas Malcys will be performed soon. The composer was born in Kaunas, lived there for many years and only 25 year ago he left for the capital, so he is very glad to know that the world premiere of "Grunwald" will occur in his hometown.

Music of the 53-year old composer sounds in various countries worldwidely, including festivals of modern and academic music where he gains honourable awards.

The creator admires the public spirit of the population of Kaunas and assures that Kaunas City Symphonic Orchestra (that will perform the symphony) should not be named “The Triumphal Arch” orchestra fit for accompanying creations of light genres performed by soloists. For an orchestra, his creation is a tough nut to crack.

– You have named your work "Grunwald". What does mean historic Grunwald battle for you?

– If the Grunwald (Žalgiris) battle did not exist or lost by Lithuania, we, most probably, should not speak Lithuanian now. The victory Lithuanian & Polish Army in the battle prevented an integration of the Teutonic Order and the Livonian Brothers of the Sword.

– Does it mean that the creation will be dramatic?

– Yes, there will be a great noise in the finale. However, it will be of quite another character, as compared to oratorios by Vidmantas Bartulis and Giedrius Kuprevičius dedicated to the same historic victory presented in the last year. My symphony is a concert creation to be performed by an orchestra at a philharmonic hall, without any external effects, sham episodes, installations, processions, fires, dancers or rock singers. The creation will remain the one of classical symphonic genre.

– They say that a considerable attention is paid to the strings in your works – you had completed your studies at Lithuanian Academy of Music both in composition and violoncello.

– Yes, I have two diplomas – of a composer and of a violoncellist. I worked much with the strings as well. However, I am more interested in something unknown. By the way, I remained in the world of music only thanks to my first violoncello teacher Vilnius Petrauskas. He was very principled and strict; however, he was capable to promote a love of music for his pupils and develop their persistence. Music requires discipline, strength of will and patience. In my childhood, I sometimes ran for swimming in the Nemunas River instead of my music lessons (in that period, J. Naujalis Music School was located in the building of the Archdiocese, in the Old City, near the River. However, V.Petrauskas always was capable to bring be from the wild nature back to the real world.

– You worked with many famous orchestras, conductors and soloists of the world. What music projects were, in your opinion, the most successful and interesting?

– All of them were interesting. I remember the festival in Ravenna funded by orchestra conductor Riccardo Muti. The premiere of my "Impetus" was conducted by Mstislav Rostropovich. Another case was an unexpected offer of violist and orchestra conductor Yuri Bashmet to create a work dedicated to the 20-year anniversary of Russian National Symphonic Orchestra “The New Russia” (he is the orchestra conductor). He called to me this June and informed that the premiere should occur in September. In the beginning, I tried to refuse this task. But he persuaded me, so I postponed all other works and started. The provided term was too short, so a great stress took place. However, I completed the task well-timely and the premiere was very successful.

And "Grunwald" is very important for me, because its first premiere will take place in Kaunas, my hometown. While creating the symphony, I remembered my first music teacher, Žaliakalnis Hill, my friends and the Philharmonic Hall where we listened to concerts. My hometown Kaunas remained in my heart for ever. I take an interest in problems of Kaunas; I admire the public spirit of its population, its active attitude towards important issues, such as Kaunas Castle or the trashed house at Laisvės Avenue.

– Do you create your works for storing them in a drawer or according to specific orders?

– For a composer, creation for storage in a drawer, without a hope to present the created works to performers is the greatest tragedy. A writer or a painter can see the result of their creation at once. And a composer writes notes, bet until the creation is not performed, it as if does not exist. If I do not know a potential performer, I prefer refuse creating. By the way, my Concert for a violoncello and symphonic orchestra is included in the waiting list for its presentation at Kaunas Philharmonic Hall.

– They say that a creation of a picture or a poem requires a better functionality of the right hemisphere of the brain that controls imagination and intuition. And a creation of music requires a better functionality of the left hemisphere of the brain that is responsible for logical thinking.

– It is true that music creation equals to the activities of a mathematician. When I am walking to my office, I usually follow the rhythm of the current creation. Because I am a member of an orchestra for many years, I feel what will be too difficult to play for musicians and too difficult to conduct for the orchestra conductor. So, I work hard upon striving to satisfy all of them However, when I create for a duet or a soloist, the task is easier.

– Symphony "Grunwald" will be performed by Kaunas City Symphonic Orchestra …

– It seems to be strange for me that the orchestra celebrates its fifth birthday only – Kaunas Radiophone orchestra was established as early as in the year 1926. I’d like Kaunas City Symphonic Orchestra to be never named “The Triumphal Arc” orchestra (for a certain period, it was an accompanist in this popular telecast). Now the orchestra is a mature one and is capable to perform any work from the repertoire of professional orchestras. By the way, Kaunas City Symphonic Orchestra in the same evening will perform the Symphony No. 5 by Piotr Tchaikovski. It is a wonderful and complicated symphony.

I sincerely wish to Kaunas City Symphonic Orchestra a creative life with abundant premieres, tours, excellent soloists and conductors

What: Kaunas City Symphonic The soloist: Vilhelmas Čepinskis (a violin). The orchestra conductor: Modestas Pitrėnas.

Where: At Kaunas National Philharmonic (L.Sapiegos St. 5).

When: 25 March, 06:00 pm