The notes on the piano of the Cagliari native Vincenzo De Martino, 32 years old and for almost a decade at the Academy of Music and Theater of Vilnius. In the Lithuanian capital, therefore, a piece di Italy e Sardinia.
From the Mediterranean to the Baltic, the long flight for Vincenzo De Martino
From the Mediterranean to Northern Europe, a long flight, that of Vincenzo, on the wings of enthusiasm and a passion cultivated since childhood, first as a private student and then, since 2011, at the Conservatory “Pierluigi da Palestrina”. Until the adventure in Lithuania. «It all started when I applied for Erasmus in several European universities – says Vincenzo – and among these, the Vilnius Academy of Music and Theater responded immediately. And it was a positive experience. Once Erasmus ended, I finished the three-year period in Cagliari and then decided to start the two-year piano course, guided by the prof. Jurgis Karnavičius, precisely in this Lithuanian academy, obtaining his diploma with top marks."
Pianist accompanist in the Lithuanian national choir
For Vincenzo the beginning of a love in a distant land, but also the way to seize many job opportunities. «I currently teach piano and hold the role of accompanying pianist at the Lithuanian National Choir. – he explains – In the meantime, in 2021, I completed my PhD in an artistic-musical discipline, performing in several concerts».
Vincenzo De Martino, almost ten years of a Sardinian in Lithuanian soil
Almost ten years of life of a Sardinian on Lithuanian soil, then. For Vincenzo De Martino it is one cultural exchange which gives a lot of satisfaction. «There is an important musical education here. An attention that is deeply felt in the Baltic countries and in Eastern Europe in general. Music and the arts are treated with great rigor and discipline, and this certainly influences the quality, at a professional level and beyond: there is a high concept of the music teacher."
A piece of Sardinia in the Baltic land
A piece of Sardinia in the Baltic land, therefore. Cultural differences and affinities that create a mutual exchange. "There Sardinian culture? I happened to talk about the traditions of the island, like i tenors, our traditional instruments or launeddas. In Lithuania there is a great musical feeling and in many schools traditional instruments are taught: these artistic and musical enhancements represent their independent feeling. And on their part there is a lot of curiosity towards the artistic-musical culture of Sardinia."
Almost thirty years of training, when the piano is love and passion
Vincenzo's educational journey began at the age of 6. Initially, privately, under the guidance of Professor Elisabetta Steri; then, after high school, at the conservatory as an academic student, guided by the teacher Maria Lucia Costa. Almost 30 years of training and sacrifice, in short. «Certainly already as a child, together with school, it is an additional time that you take away from your friends. And family support is important, especially economic; as well as that of friends, even non-musicians, always present at my concerts with interest. This is not a given." Passion and delight for Vincenzo. «I'm into the classical genre, yes, but in my free time I also play whatever comes my way».
The love for Sardinia is always alive in Vilnius
But even in distant Lithuania Vincenzo's love for his Sardinia is always alive. In a Vilnius that is constantly growing and full of many foreigners, not only Italians, especially in the tertiary and digital sectors. «I certainly miss the sea. It's there too, true, but it's different. It's cold even in summer, although for Lithuanians it's certainly not a problem. For the rest, in this land there is beautiful nature, very green, with lakes, which they frequent very much. But the Sardinian sea always remains a lack."
