Rasa Vitkauskaite: A Concert Piano Christmas at Boston Symphony Hall

Lithuanian pianist Rasa Vitkauskaite, a prize-winning Steinway Artist, is celebrated for her “poetic and observant sensitivity” (Gramophone) and hailed as a “Beethoven interpreter of penetrating insight” (Fanfare). Performing across 30 countries, her career highlights include a recital at the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert Series and collaborations with renowned artists such as violinist Ilya Kaler and cellist Julia Bruskin. She is also the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra’s principal pianist. Rasa has released numerous acclaimed recordings, including A Concert Piano Christmas at Boston Symphony Hall, currently under Grammy® consideration. In this interview, she shares her musical journey and the inspiration behind her latest album.

Rasa Vitkauskaite © Lisa-Marie Mazzucco

Born in Lithuania, Rasa has lived and studied in three countries: Lithuania, Italy, and the United States. The unique pedagogical approach, along with the different cultures and traditions, has shaped her understanding of music and her colourful interpretations.

“My native country of Lithuania offers outstanding musical education to all children, regardless of their income level. I was accepted to the prestigious National M. K. Čiurlionis School of Art at the age of ten, leaving my hometown and family behind to pursue my dream of a professional music career. The school has produced many of today’s leading artists in music, ballet, visual arts, theater, and television. Being surrounded by the most gifted students in the country and working with dedicated teachers was an inspiration that shaped my life. The high-quality education I received in Lithuania would be unattainable for many in the United States and other countries around the world. It saddens me that financial barriers prevent more young people from pursuing their talents.”

Countless albums feature Christmas music, making it a bold choice to create yet another. However, Rasa’s A Concert Piano Christmas stands out, celebrating the season with both beauty and remarkable virtuosity.

“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 worthy of the iconic Boston Symphony Hall stage, showcasing the piano’s full potential in a festive context. Few arrangements seemed to match the caliber expected of a concert pianist, which was surprising, given that the piano repertoire is the largest of all instruments. It is my hope that this album will help fill the void of classical piano Christmas masterpieces.

My husband was the driving force behind the project. When he first suggested recording a solo Christmas piano album, I thought he was joking! But he persisted, and we eventually agreed to pursue it if we could find pieces that were both challenging and enjoyable to play. Through diligent research, I was fortunate to discover some remarkable arrangements. Mikhail Pletnev’s Concert Suite from *The Nutcracker* was a well-loved choice, and Andrew Gentile’s *Sleigh Ride* arrangement has recently gained acclaim for capturing the season’s spirit while demanding exceptional technical skill.

I am truly happy with the final result: an album offering an hour of exquisite music that brings a unique and meaningful holiday experience.”

Rasa also emphasised the exceptional team behind A Concert Piano Christmas, including four-time Grammy-winning engineer Brad Michel and producer Jonathan Cohler. She also credited her husband for his invaluable guidance and vision throughout the project.

For Rasa, this album holds deep personal significance for both her and her family. Her family endured generations of Soviet persecution, from her mother’s birth in Siberian exile to her father’s courageous role in Lithuania’s fight for independence. Under Soviet rule, Christmas was suppressed and replaced by secular celebrations, and it was only after Lithuania regained independence in 1990 that Rasa discovered Western Christmas music—a discovery that sparked a lifelong fascination.

Rasa Vitkauskaite © Lisa-Marie Mazzucco

“The album is a deeply personal tribute to 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. Christmas music, along with other religious music, was suppressed as the government promoted atheism and sought to eradicate religious traditions. The New Year celebration was promoted as a secular alternative, incorporating some traditional Christmas elements like the Christmas tree and gift-giving.

Many of the traditional Christmas carols heard in the West were completely new to me once Lithuania regained its independence in 1990. I remember owning my very first Christmas CD of Nat King Cole and thinking that it was absolutely magical. Many years later, I am now fortunate to release my own interpretations of holiday favourites, with which I aim to honour my family’s legacy and share their story with the world, inspiring others to cherish the freedoms we often take for granted.”

Rasa shared that her favourite Christmas piece is O Holy Night. In her album, she performs a Christmas Carol Medley arranged by Kyle Landry, which includes this cherished melody.

“My personal favourite song is O Holy Night, and I adore the way Kyle Landry’s Christmas Carol Medley builds to a triumphant, dramatic and celebratory climax with O Holy Night as its centrepiece. It is an absolute joy to play. Jacob Koller’s arrangements add a fresh twist to traditional Christmas tunes, incorporating jazz and even samba influences. Lastly, Liszt’s divine arrangement of Schubert’s Ave Maria concludes the album on a note of profound spiritual elevation.”

At the end of the interview, Rasa shared about her busy performing schedules, including the upcoming recording project and her new release.

“One of my most anticipated endeavours is a recording project with renowned violinist and Cleveland Institute of Music professor Ilya Kaler, who is the only violinist in history to win three gold medals at the world’s most prestigious violin competitions, the Tchaikovsky, Sibelius and Paganini. We are recording the complete Beethoven violin sonatas, a monumental undertaking that I have been looking forward to for some time. Ilya is an extraordinary musician and a dear friend, and I’m honoured to have the opportunity to collaborate with him on such an important project.

Earlier this year, I had the privilege of recording a new album with the acclaimed clarinet soloist Jonathan Cohler. This album, featuring the Brahms Sonatas, Op. 120, the Clara Schumann Romances, Op. 22, and the Robert Schumann Fantasiestücke, Op. 73, is slated for release next year.

Later this season, I will also be performing with the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, of which I’ve been the principal pianist for the past 15 years. It’s always a pleasure to work with this exceptional orchestra, and I am looking forward to exploring more music with them.”