Praised for his “liquidity of sound” and “devilish performances”, Lithuanian pianist Rokas Valuntonis has drawn admiration for his imaginative interpretations and striking virtuosity.
A laureate of more than 20 international competitions, Valuntonis won 1st prize at the 2018 Campillos International Piano Competition (Spain) and previous victories include both the International Music Competition “Societa Umanitaria” (Italy) and the Nordic Piano Competition (Sweden).
Valuntonis has performed all over Europe, including Denmark, Finland, France, and Portugal, in venues such as Milton Court (Barbican Centre), La Sala Verdi, The Wallace Collection, Lithuanian National Philharmonic Hall, and La Sala Casella Accademia Filarmonica Romana. He has also performed with the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, Lund Symphony Orchestra, St Christopher Chamber Orchestra, Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra, and Panevėžys Chamber Orchestra.
Aside from the traditional concerts, Valuntonis has collaborated with both actors and presenters. His most recent collaboration, with the celebrated Lithuanian actor Kostas Smoriginas, explored the characters and emotional lives of great composers like Beethoven, Chopin, and Rachmaninov.
The upcoming season sees Valutonis present solo recitals around Europe in venues such as Teatro Juan Bravo (Spain), Theater Kerkrade (Netherlands), Museum of Applied Arts and Design (Lithuania), and the Priory Church of St Bartholomew the Great (London).
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Growing up in Lithuania, Valuntonis studied at the Lithuanian Music and Theatre Academy under Aleksandra Zvirblyte, before attending the Sibelius Academy (Finland), followed by studies with Eugen Indjic in Paris. He is currently completing an Artist Diploma at Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London and he joined the City Music Foundation Artist Programme in 2017.
For his many achievements, Valuntonis has been honoured with the prestigious Queen Morta Award and acknowledgements by two Lithuanian Presidents.
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“We have a major new talent in our midst” – Christopher Axworthy
“This new generation pianist has conquered the hearts of his audiences by the flight of free imagination, an unconstrained feeling of freedom, and a romantic world outlook” – Delfi News
“A young artist endowed with stage charisma” – Daiva Tamošaitytė (Muzikos Barai Magazine)
