Auksinis CD 2015: A Lithuanian Classical Beast You Can’t Ignore
Alright, let’s get one thing straight—this album slaps. Yeah, I said it. Robertas Beinaris, Ieva Prudnikovaitė, and the whole crew of Naujų Idėjų Kamerinis Orkestras alongside Šv Kristoforo Kamerinis Orkestras didn’t just throw together some notes and call it a day. Nope. They crafted something raw, emotional, and kinda in-your-face for the classical world. Released under Lietuvos Muzikų Sąjunga in 2015, this sucker punches you with its mix of Baroque elegance, contemporary twists, and good ol’ fashioned drama.
Now, before we dive deep, let me tell ya what sticks out like a sore thumb on this record—the tracks “Adagio Iš Koncerto D-moll, BWV 1059R Obojui Ir Styginiams” and “Penkios Dainos Mecosopranui Ir Orkestrui Pablo Nerudos Eilėmis.” These two? Absolute bangers.
First up, that Adagio piece. Holy crap, does it hit different. The oboe work by Robertas Beinaris is so smooth it feels like butter melting over hot toast. But don’t think it’s all soft vibes; there’s an edge to it, like someone whispering secrets right into your ear but refusing to explain everything. It’s haunting, man. And when those strings come in? Forget about it. You’re not just listening anymore—you’re living through every note. This isn’t background music for sipping tea; this is the kind of track that makes you stare at walls thinking about life choices.
Then there’s “Penkios Dainos,” where Ieva Prudnikovaitė absolutely destroys as the mezzo-soprano. Her voice cuts through like a knife—it’s rich, powerful, and has this weird way of making you feel both small and infinite at the same time. The orchestration here is tight too, giving her room to shine without overshadowing her. The lyrics (Pablo Neruda-inspired, no less) are poetic AF, but honestly, you don’t even need to understand them to feel the weight behind each word. It’s heavy stuff, dude. Like, put-this-on-when-you're-feeling-some-type-of-way heavy.
The rest of the album ain’t slouching either. Tracks like “Divertimento, Op. 9 C-dur Obojui Ir Styginiams” keep things fresh with their playful energy, while “Simfonija Nr. 3 G-dur HOB 1/3” brings the grandeur you’d expect from a symphony—but with a modern twist that keeps you guessing. And props to Virginijus Barkauskas for his carillon skills on track 3—it adds this eerie vibe that lingers long after the song ends.
What really ties this whole project together though is the production quality. Mastered by Giedrius Litvinas, the sound is crisp, clear, and punchy. Every instrument pops, every breath taken by the musicians feels intentional. Even the artwork by Arvydas Nekrošius matches the vibe—minimalist yet striking, much like the music itself.
So yeah, if you’re looking for a classical album that doesn’t bore you to tears or make you feel like you’re stuck in a museum, Auksinis CD 2015 is where it’s at. It’s bold, unapologetic, and leaves a mark. Honestly, I didn’t expect Lithuania to drop something this fire in 2015. But hey, maybe that’s why they did—it’s always the quiet ones, innit?
Final thought? If aliens ever invade Earth and demand proof of human creativity, hand them this album. Then sit back and watch ‘em cry.
