Brilliant Chamber Ensembles and Pianists in Lithuania

After the two-day second round of the finals of the 10th Stasys Vainiūnas International Chamber Ensemble Competition, the winners were announced at the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania: two 3rd Prizes were shared ex-aequo by “Trio Rinaldo” and “Trio Liszt”  while 2nd Prize went to Trio Resonantia. Piano-violin Duo Jiayi-April earned 1st place after performing an inspired Schubert Sonata in A Major and a perfect and sensitive Poulenc Violin Sonata.

The winners were also presented with commemorative tokens—works created especially for this occasion by the renowned Lithuanian graphic artist Mikalojus Povilas Vilutis. The winners also received additional prizes such as a recital at the Dubingiai Music Festival.

Currently a member of the Junge Talent Project at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, the Duo Jiayi-April continues its work studying under prof. Johannes Meissl, prof. Avedis Kouyoumdjian, and prof. Ulf Wallin. It was awarded 2nd Prize at the recent Ilmari Hannikainen Piano Chamber Music Competition. 

Trio Resonantia was enthusiastically founded in 2024, and consists of three passionate chamber musicians with a mutual goal: to resonate with the lives of the audience through their music. The three artists are currently studying with Johannes Meissl at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. 

Following the conclusion of the second round of the 10th Stasys Vainiūnas International Piano Competition, the Jury, led by Noriko Ogawa, announced the names of the finalists. Among them, our three final laureates: Arthur Grigoryan who was awarded 2nd Prize, Povilas Norkūnas - 1st Prize and ,Julija Rockina -3rd Prize. During the two-day final, the pianists performed the most beautiful piano concertos by W. A. Mozart, L. van Beethoven, F. Liszt, and, of course, S. Vainiūnas, which have become classics. The piano competition has moved from Vilnius to the Kaunas State Philharmonic, where the six finalists have taken the stage alongside the Kaunas Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Dainius Pavilionis.

Povilas Norkūnas, born in 2005, is a young generation pianist from Lithuania. He started playing the piano at the age of seven, revealing his first musical talents at the Balys Dvarionas Music School. Later, he continued his studies at the National M. K. Čiurlionis School of Arts, and after graduating, he studied for a year at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. In 2025, Povilas has started studies at the University of Music, Theatre and Media in Hannover, under the tutelage of prof. Ewa Kupiec.

Arthur Grigoryan began his musical education at the Gh. Saryan Music School in 2009, later continuing at the P. Tchaikovsky Music School in 2013. He studied under prof. Armen Babakhanian at the Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory and is now continuing his studies at the Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas, Lithuania, with prof. Alexander Paley. He has performed as a soloist with the Armenian National Philharmonic and Armenian National Symphony Orchestras, as well as the State Jazz Orchestra of Armenia. His concert engagements have taken him across Europe and Asia, including France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, Russia, Malaysia and the UAE.

Julija Rockina is a laureate of numerous national and international piano competitions. The pianist has participated in numerous masterclasses led by distinguished piano professors and musicians, including Paolo Giacometti, Dmitri Levkovich, Mikhel Poll, Emanuele Torquati, Håvard Gimse, George Li, Petras Geniušas, Lukas Geniušas, and others. Julija has performed with the Kaunas Symphony Orchestra and the Kaunas String Quartet.

Chamber Ensembles Laureates : 
First Prize : Duo Jiayi-April
Second Prize : Trio Resonantia
Third Prize ex-aequo: Trio Rinaldo and Trio Liszt

Chamber Ensembles Jury : 
Avedis Kouyoumdjian (chair), Rimantas Armonas, Atis Bankas, Marje Lohuaru, Joanna Maklakiewicz, Arigo Strals

Piano Laureates : 
First Prize : Povilas Norkunas
Second Prize : Arthur Grigoryan
Third Prize : Julija Rockina

Piano Jury :
Noriko Ogawa (chair), Hortense Cartier-Bresson, Juris Kalnciems, Ewa Kupiec, Mihkel Polll, Aidas Puodziukas, Ruta Riktere

Artists : 
Kaunas Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Dainius Pavilionis.