Project leader saxophonist Dominykas Norkus won the Grand Prix at the Vilnius Jazz Young Power competition in 2024 with his original composition Metafizika. It was recognized as the best original work in the competition. With his new project Filotopija, the musician continues his search for interconnections between sound and philosophical thought. 

According to Norkus, the composition Filotopija for electronic track, two violins, trombone, and baritone saxophone was inspired by the philosophy of Arvydas Šliogeris. The composer named the work after a concept created by this philosopher, describing a place where “transcendental being appears, and objects reveal themselves to humans as individuals.”

Dominykas believes that exploring philosophical ideas enriches the creative process and gives meaning to music. “Sound itself can be noise, but philosophy allows us to transform it into music,” says Norkus.

Dominykas Norkus participated in the Vilnius Jazz Young Power competition in 2024 and 2022 as a soloist and won the title of best instrumentalist both times. In addition, this saxophonist stands out among his peers as a composer, whose music is characterized by a synthesis of avant-garde music and jazz, as well as philosophical depth.

The musician graduated from the Vilnius Conservatory and completed his bachelor’s degree at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (LAMT), where he currently continues his studies. He also honed his skills at the Royal Academy of Music in Aalborg, Denmark.

Dominykas played in the band Into the Roots led by renowned Polish multi-instrumentalist Piotr Damasewicz and in Danish bassist Kenneth Dahl Knudsen’s Elastic Ensemble; performed in Germany, Poland, Denmark, and Lithuania.

Gabrielius Songaila completed his bachelor’s degree in classical trombone at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague, Netherlands, in 2024. In the same year, he won second prize with the Conservatoire’s trombone ensemble at the prestigious E. Remington Trombone Competition organized by the International Trombone Association. Renowned Dutch composer Martijn Padding dedicated a composition to him.

Currently, the musician combines his concert activities with philosophy studies at the University of Turin in Italy.

Aleksas Filipenkovas graduated as a violinist from the Vilnius Conservatory and is currently pursuing his studies at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. He also is a member of the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra. He has honed his skills in masterclasses with world-renowned violinists and participated in the ICPA (International Certificate Piano Artists) program for several years. 

Aleksas is a laureate of many national and international competitions, including Concorsi Internazionali di Musica della Val Tidone in Italy, the 23rd International Competition for Lithuanian Chamber Music Performance, and the string competition dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the LAMT Department of String Instruments. He is a member of various chamber ensembles and has performed as a soloist in Italy, Germany, and Belgium.

Normantas Macas graduated as a violinist from the Vilnius Conservatory and is currently continuing his studies at the LAMT. The violinist participates in orchestral and chamber music projects.

Denis Vysokovych graduated from the Vilnius Conservatory and completed his bachelor’s degree in choral conducting at the LAMT.