Roger Arve Vigulf CV.doc

NORWEGIAN ACCENTS

The concert, held at the Museum of Applied Art on November 25, had a distinctive Norwegian flavor. The Vilnius String Quartet and pianist Rokas Zubovas were joined by Norwegian clarinetist and composer Roger Arve Vigulf. The program of the evening featured his work for cello and piano “Elegy” and a world premiere of “Variations without a theme”(commissioned by R.A.Vigulf) – a work by Magne Hegdal, another Norwegian composer who was also present at the concert. This concert was made possible in part by the Embassy of Kingdom of Norway. Pianist R.Zubovas introduced the works to the audience (in Lithuanian and English). Along with the works, mentioned above, musicians have performed Clarinet Quintet in b minor, Op.115 by J.Brahms, and Sextet for string quartet, clarinet and piano by A.Copland, who in 1937 arranged his “Short symphony” (1933) into the Sextet.
R.A.Vigulf, the distinctive clarinet virtuoso and wonderful chamber musician, became the celebrity of the evening. The Vilnius String Quartet introduced the clarinetist to Lithuanian audiences last season – listeners still remember delightful performance of W.A.Mozart’s Quintet given by R.A.Vigulf and the Vilnius String Quartet. Among other R.A.Vigulf’s stage partners - string quartet “Cikada”, Norwegian Radio orchestra, Christiansund Opera Theatre orchestra. He also was a member of “Balkan” ensemble. Since 2000 he is pursuing a solo career.
Performance of J.Brahms’ and A.Copland’s opuses revealed R.A.Vigulf as extraordinarily capable chamber musician. Wonderful acoustics of the hall … Undoubtedly, the Vilnius String Quartet and pianist Rokas Zubovas should be credited for this unforgettable concert. To make music with such a high class professionals should be pure joy.
Like R.A.Vigulf, the Vilnius String Quartet is an ardent advocate of contemporary music. Modern music requires an utmost rhythmic precision and extraordinary articulation, as well as wide range of expression. The performers have successfully mastered the challenge presented by M.Hegdal’s opus (nine movements). In his composition the composer aimed to balance personal expression and chance. M.Hegdal is widely known in his homeland. Four of his works were elected as the best works of the year by the Society of Norwegian Composers. However, one opus is not enough to get familiar with the composer. This time another aspect bore the significance of the event – world premiere of Norwegian composition in Lithuania with participation of the composer.
Work by R.A.Vigulf offered a glimpse into a different world, shaded by colours, even citations from works of C.Saint-Saens or O.Messiaen. R.A.Vigulf has written over 30 compositions that were performed by American, Swedish, and on this occasion - Lithuanian musicians.
Willingly supporting various music projects, the Royal Norwegian Embassy added significance to the event. The evening of November 25th was another vivid declaration of the friendship between Lithuania and Norway.

Karina Firkaviciute, December 7, 2001, “7 meno dienos” (“7 days of art”)

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