X international m. k. čiurlionis piano and organ competition
is planned for September 2027, Vilnius

Participant data

Combining deep emotionality with rational and psychological control of the piano, the Lithuanian pianist Jonas Šopa thrills European audiences with soul-lifting performances. After receiving bachelor's degree at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, where he studied in the class of prof. Jurgis Karnavičius, including a year of Erasmus studies at the Hanover University of Music, Drama and Media (HMTM Hannover), in the class of the world renowned prof. Ewa Kupiec, Jonas is currently pursuing his master's degree at the University of Music Trossingen, in the class of prof. Ingo Dannhorn. Since 2009, Jonas has become a prizewinner of more than fifteen competitions in Lithuania, Latvia, Belarus, Austria, and France, he was also a laureate of the Klaipėda Piano Masters summer academy three years in a row (2017–2019) and was supported by the Copenhagen International and Ballerup Sct. Jacob Rotary clubs during the study years in 2017-2018. Most recently he has won the second prize in the IX International Stasys Vainiūnas Piano Competition in Vilnius (2022) and the DAAD Prize (2023).

Constantly broadening his field of view and seeking inspiration, Jonas is also deeply passionate about portrait and artistic documentary photography, particularly focusing on the work of women photographers and the photographic traditions of the early 1900's. He is also learning acoustic recording engineering and cinematography.

I ROUND

1. Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis | Prelude · B flat minor · VL 169
2. Johann Sebastian Bach | WTC Book 1: Prelude and Fugue in C-sharp minor · BWV 849
3. Ludwig van Beethoven | Piano Sonata No. 11 · B flat major · Op. 22
4. Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis | Prelude · F sharp major · VL 184
5. Franz Liszt | "Études d'exécution transcendante", S. 139: Transcendental etude No. 10 · Allegro agitato molto · F minor · S. 139/10

II ROUND

1. Anatolijus Šenderovas | "M. K. Čiurlionis’ Sketches"
   • "Gintaro rūmai" ("Amber Palace")
   • "Vinjetė liaudies dainai" ("Vignette for a folk song")
   • "Varpas" ("Bell")
   • "Angelas" ("Angel")
   • "Demonas" ("Demon")
2. Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis | Prelude · D minor · VL 325
3. Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis | Prelude · D minor · VL 256
4. Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis | "The Sea, Cycles of Small Landscapes" · VL 317
5. Claude Debussy | "Images", Première Série · L. 110
   • I. "Reflets dans l'eau" ("Reflections in the Water") , D flat major
   • II. "Hommage à Rameau" ("Tribute to Rameau") , G sharp minor
6. Franz Liszt | "Années de pèlerinage. Deuxième année. Italia" ("Years of Pilgrimage II. Second year. Italia") · S. 161
   • 6. Sonetto 123 del Petrarca
   • 7. Après une lecture du Dante. Fantasia quasi Sonata (After a Reading of Dante: Fantasia quasi Sonata) , B minor

III ROUND

1. Robert Schumann | Piano Concerto · A minor · Op. 54