Three choirs from Vilnius University, Lithuania — Pro Musica, Virgo, and Gaudeamus — welcome you all to this new cooperation initiative of sharing music and preparing joint programmes among the choirs of Arqus University Alliance.
In the light of the pandemic and, thus, the restricted possibilities to practise choral singing, as well as the growing need for artistic expression, the Pro Musica choir of Vilnius University came up with the idea to produce the first video concert of the Arqus Alliance choirs.
In this first initiative, four out of the seven universities are represented; namely, the University of Granada in Spain, Leipzig University, Germany, the University of Lyon in France and Vilnius University, Lithuania.
It is our great pleasure to present this video project during Christmas season and to feature traditional Christmas carols and songs typical of the countries represented here.
With traditional Lithuanian Christmas carol ‘Sveikas, Jėzau gimusis’ (Hail, newborn Jesus) written by Juozas Naujalis, choirs of VU would like to thank you all for taking part in this new choral initiative among the choirs of the Arqus University Alliance. Let us hope that this develops into a wider cooperation among our universities and choirs, and helps us realise our musical ideas.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Concert programme:
1. The University of Granada
Choirs and orchestra of the University of Granada
Artistic directors Gabriel Delgado, Carmen Arroyo and Paco Alvarez
Academic anthem ‘Gaudeamus Igitur’
2. The University of Granada
The Science School Choir (Coro Facultad de Ciencias)
Artistic director Paco Alvarez
J. Busto ‘Noche Buena del Alma‘
3. Leipzig University
Leipzig University Choir
Directed by Prof. David Timm
J. S. Bach’s Weihnachtsoratorium BWV 248, Part No. 12 'Brich an, o schönes Morgenlicht’
4. Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University (University of Lyon)
Choeur de la Doua
Artistic director Liochka Massabie
M. Flecha the Elder ‘Riu Riu Chiu’
5. Vilnius University
Pro Musica, Virgo, Gaudeamus choirs and organist dr. Vidas Pinkevičius
Artistic director Rasa Gelgotienė
Juozas Naujalis ‘Sveikas, Jėzau gimusis’ (Hail, newborn Jesus)