Lithuanian violinist joins OHIO scholars for interdisciplinary exploration of music and meaning

Renowned Lithuanian violinist Martynas Švėgžda von Bekker will join Ohio University Philosopher Emeritus Algis Mickunas and Professor of Aesthetics Vladimir Marchenkov for “Philosophy and Performance,” an afternoon of music and conversation exploring the relationship between art and thought on Thursday, Nov. 13, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in Glidden Recital Hall.

The School of Interdisciplinary Arts emphasizes collaboration and connection across different fields within the Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts, aiming to give students “a one-of-a-kind experience that crosses traditional disciplines into a supportive community of artist scholars,” and this event showcases how this extends beyond just the degree program.

This free event will include a violin recital from Švėgžda von Bekker called “Musical Performance: Gnostic or Drastic?” and a philosophy lecture from Mickunas and Vladimir Marchenkov. According to Mickunas, the lecture will include a discussion of “music, art and philosophical issues in the different ways that art is understood.”

The seedling of this event was planted about 25 years ago, when Mickunas, who was nearing the end of his four decades as an OHIO professor, heard about an intriguing concert musician, a “fine fellow…who travels and does concerts, but sometimes plays on the streets to make more money.”

“He is a very great scholar,” Mickunas said. “He knows various styles of playing and knows the history of music…He was very good and so I invited him (to a conference in Chicago) and that’s where we met, and since then…I was invited to many of his concerts and he came to lots of my talks.”

Years after this friendship blossomed between the two Lithuanian-born men, Mickunas introduced the violinist to Marchenkov at a conference in their home country. The three began planning a conference in Athens, which was never brought to fruition because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Then, years later, they found a way to bring Švėgžda von Bekker to OHIO.

“Vladimir said, ‘Why don’t we invite Martynas for a concert,’ and so I agreed and I said, ‘Martynas, it’s time you showed up to the center of civilization – Athens,’” Mickunas said. “‘You can enjoy nature and nurture.’”

The concert will feature Švėgžda von Bekker’s vast repertoire of classic violin tunes and original works, as well as Mickunas and Marchenkov’s discussion of his career and philosophical insights on his music.

“Arts are a way of speaking philosophically,” Mickunas said. “Music, or any art, is created in a particular time and speaks with the particular time…Musical aesthetics are a way to understand the way people and even politics understand each other…Music has a language that affects people, so that’s why philosophy is relevant to understand these kinds of artistic creations.”

Beyond providing the audience with food-for-thought about the philosophy behind music, the event will also address cross-cultural themes.

“Music sometimes can be comparative, can introduce other places,” Mickunas said. “Martynas studied with me what it is to understand Indian music, or zen music which includes lots of silence, and so he incorporates those things…into an intercultural dialogue of music.”

Švėgžda von Bekker is excited to “meet fantastic eyes and ears” in Athens, and to share his story and exchange ideas with the scholars of OHIO, students and faculty alike.

“We will just have the possibility to meet each other, to talk about what is interesting,” Švėgžda von Bekker said. “For me, harmony, resonance and empathy are the most important. In that way, we will feel better together. That’s why in Lithuania we are always singing, and our language is singing…I am most excited to sing something together.”

He is also looking forward to visiting his friends in Athens, as well as other friends across the U.S.

“I spent from 2009-2019 at Boston University with a Fulbright scholarship,” Švėgžda von Bekker said. “I was a lecturer from Lithuania with my music…I have friends everywhere who I am excited to see.”

Mickunas is excited for the violinist to share his talent with the artistic community of OHIO, as well as with other Athens residents.

“I have a porch, so when he comes here he can stand on the porch and entertain the squirrels,” Mickunas said.