Palace Music: Duo Andersson
“Between Light and Shadow”
Duo Andersson
Julija Andersson – violin
Paulius Andersson – piano
Programme:
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)
Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 4, Op. 23
Presto
Andante scherzoso, più allegretto
Allegro molto
Faustas Latėnas (1956–2020)
Sonata for Violin and Piano
Moderato
Lento
Johannes Brahms (1833–1897)
Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 3 in D minor, Op. 108
Allegro
Adagio Un poco presto e con sentimento
Presto agitato
Across centuries, the violin sonata has served as a space for composers to explore both intimacy and intensity — a dialogue where lyricism meets restlessness, and brilliance gives way to introspection. In his Sonata No. 6 in A major, Op. 30 No. 1, Ludwig van Beethoven balances elegance with subtle tension, allowing moments of warmth and wit to coexist with deeper undercurrents. Nearly a century later, Johannes Brahms, in his Sonata No. 3 in D minor, Op. 108, expands the genre into darker, more turbulent terrain — passionate, dramatic, and symphonic in scope. Bridging past and present, the Violin Sonata by Faustas Latėnas inhabits a more fragile landscape. Its textures and gestures seem suspended between memory and immediacy, light and shadow — echoing tradition while speaking in a distinctly modern voice. Together, these works trace a path through contrast and continuity, revealing how the violin and piano, in dialogue, illuminate both brilliance and depth.
“Duo Andersson is characterized not by the pursuit of outward effects, but by a deep exploration of thought, meaning, and subtlety — into that sphere where, according to Heinrich G. Neuhaus, that miraculous ‘almost-almost’ begins…” Daiva Tamošaitytė, Muzikos barai
Duo Andersson was founded in 2021 by two prominent young-generation Lithuanian musicians – violinist Julija Andersson and pianist Paulius Andersson. The duo are First Prize winners and recipients of the Special Prize for the best performance of J. Brahms at one of Europe’s largest chamber music competitions, the International Chamber Music Competition “Pinerolo” (2025, Italy). Actively promoting Lithuanian music abroad, the duo seeks to present rarely performed works and conceptually curated programs to international audiences. Duo Andersson have refined their artistry with legendary internationally acclaimed musicians, including Alfred Brendel, Kim Kashkashian, Krzysztof Węgrzyn, and others. In recent years, the duo has performed in Lithuania, Poland, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, and Italy. In 2026, they will make their debut as soloists with the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, performing the Lithuanian premiere of Bohuslav Martinů’s Concerto for Violin and Piano.
Kadriorg Palace is one the most well known and beautiful historic concert halls in Estonia offering memorable music experiences already for many decades. The tradition of performing music in the baroque palace goes back to 18th century when court music accompanied the daily life. The palace has had the pleasure to welcome many international artists and ensembles for outstanding performances.
The construction of the Kadriorg Palace was started by the Tsar Peter the Great of Russia in 1718. It was named Catharinenthal (in Estonian Kadriorg) in honour of his wife Catherine I. The palace was designed by the Italian architect Nicola Michetti and its abundantly decorated main hall is one of the most exquisite examples of baroque architecture both in Estonia and in northern Europe.
Kadriorg Palace has always been the crown jewel of Tallinn. The small festive tsars’ palace in the style of Roman Baroque, surrounded by a regular garden, with fountains, hedges and flowerbeds, planned after the model of Versailles.
The palace was a summer residence of Russian emperors untill 1917. In the 1920s, and again in 1946-1991 palace served as the main building of the Art Museum of Estonia. In the 1930s, it ‘ it was the residence of the Head of State of the Estonian Republic. In 2000, it was opened as the Kadriorg Art Museum, which displays the largest collection of old Russian and Western European art in Estonia. Music has been performed in the palace halls since the 18th century. In the past few decades, the most brilliant Estonian and international musicians have delighted listeners in the palace. Regular concerts started to take place in the Kadriorg Palace again in 2014, when the museum launched the Palace Music Concert Series. The extraordinary acoustics and the magnificent interior of the main hall make every concert a truly enjoyable artistic experience.
The artistic director of the Palace Music Concert Series is Aare Tammesalu. In cooperation of the Art Museum of Estonia.
Tickets are on sale at the Kadriorg Art Museum and Piletikeskus outlets.
Supporters: Estonian Ministry of Culture, The Cultural Endowment of Estonia, Estonian Public Broadcasting, Tallinn Culture and Sports Department, UNESCO City of Music Tallinn, Kultuurikõla, Pointprint Special thanks: Visit Estonia, Visit Tallinn, Õhtuleht
