Christmas Special Edition -1

Dec 2024

LIM

LIM 07

My husband was the driving force behind the project. When he first suggested recording a

Christmas piano solo album, I thought he was joking! However, he persisted, and we eventually

agreed to pursue it if we could find a selection of pieces that were both challenging and enjoyable

to play. I am delighted with the final result, as the album features an hour of exquisite music that

offers a unique and meaningful holiday experience.

LM: Which classic Christmas song was the most challenging to reinterpret, and why?

RV: Andre Gentile's arrangement of Sleigh Ride was a remarkable discovery, yet also a formidable

challenge. Originally conceived as a piano duet, the piece was transformed for a solo pianist,

significantly increasing its complexity. The arrangement's technical demands were substantial,

particularly in the left-hand part. Wide-ranging leaps, combined with the unconventional use of

three staves instead of two, presented a demanding task.

LM: How did you approach blending traditional holiday sounds with your own musical style?

RV: The album arrangements dictated their intended style, so I aimed to capture the unique

qualities of each. For Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, I focused on creating a symphonic sound and

crisp articulation, while Schubert/Liszt's Ave Maria required more attention to balance and

lyricism. To highlight the distinctive qualities of each style, I incorporated subtle nuances into my

performance. If the arrangement featured a jazz-inspired style, I played with slightly different

phrasing and rhythmic emphases to bring out its unique qualities.

The Bell Carol is arguably the most new age-sounding track, so I tried to avoid over-romanticizing

it and instead played it with a more straightforward sound and less classical inflection.

LM: What emotions or message do you hope listeners will take away from your Christmas

album?

RV: This album is a deeply personal tribute to my family, who endured a long and painful history

of Soviet persecution. My mother was born in exile in Siberia, a descendant of political deportees.

My father, meanwhile, bravely participated in the unarmed human shield that defended

Lithuania from the attempted Russian takeover in 1990, shortly after the country declared

independence.

The album is a celebration of hope and freedom, a testament to the resilience of my family and the

countless others who suffered under Soviet rule. During the occupation, celebrating Christmas

openly would have been a dangerous act, a stark reminder of the oppression we endured.

Through this album, I aim to honor my family’s legacy and share their story with the world,

inspiring others to cherish the freedoms we often take for granted.

LM: Which song from your Christmas album do you feel best captures the spirit of the season?

RV: While I may be biased, my favorite Christmas song is O Holy Night. I adore the way Kyle

Landry's Christmas Carol Medley builds to a triumphant, dramatic and celebratory climax with O

Holy Night as the centerpiece. It is an absolute joy to play.

LM: What makes your Christmas album stand out from the numerous holiday records out

there?

RV: While there are numerous Christmas tunes arranged for piano, many of them fall short of

highlighting the instrument’s unique capabilities. I was determined to find pieces that would truly

showcase the virtuosity and versatility of the concert piano.

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