Darius Klisys
Ensemble Reversio - Baroque and Contemporary Lithuanian Music with a Difference!

Darius Klisys began his musical studies at the age of eight.  By 1984 he had completed an accordion course at Marijampole Music School.  Then followed four years at Kaunas J. Gruodis Conservatoire, where he acquired a birbyne, performer and ensemble leader experience.  Between 1992-1994 he studied audio engineering at the Audio Institute of America.  After his return to Lithuania he pursued the art of playing the birbyne, and in 2000 received a BA and in 2005 an MA from the Lithuanian Music and Theatre Academy.  It was during these latter studies that Darius became interested in baroque music, its interpretation and history, and how the birbyne could be employed in its performance.

Discovering the Birbyne
The birbyne is an authentic Lithuanian wind instrument.  It is believed the first time the name "birbyne" was found in Lithuanian is in a German-Lithuanian dictionary compiled in 1747.  The birbyne family consists of a soprano, tenor and double bass instruments.  The case of a soprano and tenor is made from ash, maple, apple or pear tree wood, a double bass from metal.  Its shape (as can be seen in the photo) is similar to that of a clarinet, while at the end of the case is an animal horn, usually cow.  The soprano birbyne has a wide dynamic range and its timbre is extremely flexible.  Depending on the performers technique, creativity and repertoire the instrument can sound like an oboe, flute, clarinet, saxophone or even a trumpet!

Reversio
Ensemble Reversio came together in 2000 to explore the Baroque repertoire, drawing on French, German, Italian and English composers.  Besides, Darius Klisys the other members are - Mindaugas Radzevicius, organ, harpsichord and piano, Arturas Peckaitis,double bass birbyne and Egle Radzeviciute, harpsichord.

Darius Klisys and Ensemble Reversio record on
6-2 studio/REVERSIO 
Click here to buy their CDs.