Christmas Special Edition -1

Dec 2024

LIM

LIM 06

Rasa Vitkauskaite

Bringing Personal Meaning to a Christmas Album

Interview by Lyia Meta

What inspires a world-class pianist to take on the challenge of creating a Christmas album? For

Rasa Vitkauskaite, it was more than just a holiday project - it was a personal journey, one that

merged her artistic brilliance with a deep-rooted connection to her family’s history and traditions.

Known for her soulful performances and praised as a “Beethoven interpreter of penetrating

insight,” Rasa has carved out a distinguished career as a soloist and the principal pianist of the

Boston Philharmonic Orchestra. Yet, with A Concert Piano Christmas at Boston Symphony Hall, she

steps into a new and intimate space, inviting listeners into a holiday experience shaped by both

virtuosity and heart.

We sat down with Rasa to delve into what sparked this festive endeavor. With warmth and

sincerity, she spoke about how the album not only showcases her love for the piano but also honors

her family’s resilience in the face of hardship. Rasa’s personal history intertwines with the music,

bringing depth to each reimagined Christmas classic while offering listeners a glimpse into the

traditions that have shaped her life, both on and off the stage. Please welcome Rasa Vitkauskaite to

Lazie Indie Magazine.

About Rasa

Multiple prize-winning Lithuanian pianist RASA VITKAUSKAITE has been hailed for “artistry of

poetic and observant sensitivity” (Gramophone) and dubbed as “a Beethoven interpreter of

penetrating insight” (Fanfare). A member of the prestigious Steinway Artist roster, Rasa is the long-

serving, critically acclaimed principal pianist of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra.

She has published many highly acclaimed solo concerto, recital, and chamber music recordings,

including her just released Mendelssohn Double Concerto in D Minor and Capriccio Brilliant with

Tchaikovsky gold medal violinist Ilya Kaler and conductor Jonathan Cohler. Her 2021 CD including

Mozart Concerto No. 20 in D Minor and Beethoven Concerto No. 3 in C Minor was praised as

comparable to Rudolf Serkin’s legendary recording with Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic.

Winner of the Grand Prix at the Mendelssohn Cup Piano Competition in Italy and a Kathryn

Wasserman Davis grant supporting a concert tour of Israel, Rasa has performed in more than 30

countries around the world. Recent seasons have included a solo recital on the acclaimed Dame

Myra Hess Memorial Concert Series in the Chicago Cultural Center broadcast live on WFMT radio

and hundreds of affiliated stations nationwide as well as collaborations with world renowned

artists such as violinist James Buswell, cellist Julia Bruskin, and clarinetist Jonathan Cohler, which

whom she recorded four lauded chamber music CDs. She is also the founder and pianist of Chamber

Music Boston.

LM: What inspired you to create a Christmas album?

RV: The idea for A Concert Piano Christmas at Boston Symphony Hall stemmed from a desire to

create a truly exceptional and memorable holiday recording. I wanted to present a program that

would be worthy of the iconic Boston Symphony Hall stage, showcasing the piano’s full potential in

a festive context. There didn’t seem to be many arrangements that rose to the level of a concert

pianist.That seemed odd, because the piano repertoire is the largest of all instruments. It is our hope

that this album will help fill the void of classical piano Christmas masterpieces.

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