Composer Jonas Tamulionis is one of Lithuania’s most famous composers of music for choir, accordion and guitar. His creative output comprises over 300 compositions. Tamulionis’ works are based on neoclassical means of expression and are rich in Lithuanian folk music intonations. He has also written quite a few Spanish-themed opuses.

The Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra, welcoming its 62nd season of concerts, performs two compositions by Jonas Tamulionis, which not only captivate the listener with their brilliance and virtuosity, but are also very popular with musicians. The first is Songs of Heavenly Birds. According to the composer, “the piece consists of two distinct episodes: a bright homophonic chorale that opens the piece and builds to a broad climax at the end, and a polyphonic one, shimmering, imitating birdsong”. The second composition, Toccata diavolesca, is his most frequently performed work by Lithuanian orchestras. The title of the work refers to its “devilish” nature. According to the composer, “diavolesca” alludes to both the fast tempo and the tritone intervals (known since the time of Guido of Arezzo as diabolus in musica) around which the entire intonational vocabulary is constructed.”