In this episode we look into the creative life of San Francisco-based Lithuanian composer Albertas Navickas. Living a life of a scientist and composer, he is immersed in creative collaborations expressing many musical outpourings involving traditional instruments, voices and opera projects. The idiom, sound and aesthetics of his music remind of the forms of French culture (from Impressionism to authors heavily influenced by French music, such as Kaija Saariaho). His music of serene melancholy is supple, pastel, nuanced, formed of transparent textures and subtle dynamics, with specific acoustic colouring; it is a music of a single state (be it a chamber miniature or an opera), which spreads like an aroma and is slightly intoxicating.

Tracklist: Podcast intro: Bronius Kutavičius Anno cum tettigonia from Lithuanian Music in Context II. Landscapes of Minimalism (Music Information Centre Lithuania, 2011), Silesian String Quartet: Marek Moś (violin), Arkadiusz Kubica (violin), Łukasz Syrnicki (viola), Piotr Janosik (cello). Compositions by Albertas Navickas: Sunrise of the West from the album Zoom In 13: New Art Music from Lithuania (Music Information Centre Lithuania, 2019), Eglė Sirvydytė (voice), Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra, conductor – Paul Goodwin; Midsummer Music (2006), Ąžuolas Paulauskas (clarinet), Kamilė Maruškevičiūtė (violin), Ugnė Giedraitytė (piano); Blanche t’a vu (2006), Eglė Sirvydytė (voice), Ona Jonaitytė, Simona Vaitkevičiūtė, Justinas Mačys, Ūla Čaplikaitė (flutes); Memory Lines (2017), Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra, conductor - Robertas Šervenikas, Gaida Festival, Lithuanian National Philharmonic Hall, 2017; Alpha (2014), Nora Petročenko (mezzo-soprano), Nerijus Masevičius (bass), Pranas Kentra (electric guitar), Agnė Rimgailaitė (accordeon), Ignas Juzokas (electronics); Accidental (2011), PHACE Ensemble, Konzerthaus Wien, 2013; Tyla Balta ir Raudona (2005), Ugnė Giedraitytė (piano); Music of a Long Autumn (2006), Viktorija Stanelytė, Lauryna Bendžiūnaitė (sopranos), Ugnė Giedraitytė, Albertas Navickas (pianos); By Heart from the album Octets (Warner Classics, 2018), I Solisti della Scala, conductor - Andrea Vitello.