Povilas Syrrist-Gelgota (b. 1976) is an internationally active solo artist and singing violist, recognized for his charismatic stage presence and highly distinctive artistic profile. He combines viola playing and voice simultaneously, creating a unique expressive language that expands the traditional role of the viola as a solo instrument.

He has performed extensively as a soloist, giving solo concerts in 15 countries, and has performed more than 1,000 solo concerts throughout his career. Povilas primarily performs solo concerts through his Viola Voice concept, presenting highly varied programs with a strong focus on tonal contemporary music inspired by folk music traditions from different countries. He has built an exceptionally large solo repertoire and can perform almost four hours of solo music on just one day’s notice.

In 2007, Povilas and cellist Toril Syrrist-Gelgota, who perform together as Duo Oktava, released the CD Pilgrimage. It is among the earliest documented CD releases internationally with a repertoire exclusively for viola and cello.

Povilas works to promote the viola as a solo instrument. Numerous composers from Norway, Lithuania, Turkey, and Italy have written more than 50 works specifically for Povilas and his ensembles. In addition, he has contributed nearly 50 of his own compositions to the viola solo repertoire. The album Dedications (2017), devoted entirely to music by Kjell Marcussen, is a good example of his work in bringing new music to audiences.

Povilas has performed solo recitals at the International Viola Congresses in Thailand (2023) and Brazil (2024), and in 2026 he is invited to the 50th International Viola Congress in Paris to:

• give two solo recitals (one featuring Norwegian music for singing violist, the other with his own compositions)
• hold a workshop on Stage Performance
• perform the premiere of “RAST”, a commissioned work for the congress

Following studies in Vilnius, Paris, London, and Oslo, Povilas won an audition with the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, where he worked from 2001 to 2021 alongside leading conductors and soloists. Parallel to his orchestral career, he maintained an active and independent international solo career.

For over two decades, Povilas has actively promoted the viola as a solo instrument, performing hundreds of solo concerts and presenting programs that combine classical repertoire, contemporary music, folk influences, and new works written especially for him.

Povilas is also the director of the Norwegian Viola Festival, one of the world’s largest viola festivals, a 14-day event featuring 40 viola concerts and activities.

He is actively engaged in presenting Norwegian music internationally, particularly in Lithuania, and Lithuanian music in Norway, and in 2011 he was awarded a medal by the Lithuanian Embassy in Norway for his contribution to building cultural bridges between Norway and Lithuania.

He is a member of The Norwegian Society of Soloists (NTKS) and Board member of Norwegian Viola Society.

Povilas is a Savarez artist in Norway.

Recordings of Povilas Syrrist-Gelgota are available on major digital platforms, and he maintains an active presence as a performing artist online.

Povilas has been composing music since childhood. He began with songs accompanied by guitar, later focusing on compositions for viola.

Pursuing a career as a violist, Povilas frequently included his own works in concert programs, integrating them seamlessly into professional performances.

Over the past five years, his music has been performed in at least 33 countries by distinguished artists such as Frank Rosenwein, principal oboist of The Cleveland Orchestra, musicians from the Oslo Philharmonic, and many other excellent professionals, as well as by students and amateur performers.

Povilas writes music that is accessible to both professionals and amateurs, with a tonal style that is often romantic or meditative, while some pieces are energetic and dynamic (for example, Crazy Horse and Action). Several works are inspired by the folk music of Norway and Lithuania.

Most compositions were originally written for viola and later arranged for other melodic instruments, though he has also composed specifically for oboe, French horn, double bass, and others.

Notable achievements include the composition Generosity, a required piece in the flute competition Sudraba Flauta in Latvia, recordings of 15 works by Italian saxophonist Isabella Stabio, CD recordings of compositions for solo flute and French horn, and numerous video performances available on YouTube.

Povilas is a member of the Norwegian Society of Composers (Norsk Komponistforening) and of NOPA, the Norwegian Society of Composers and Lyricists.

Povilas is a highly qualified educator with senior lecturer credentials and over 30 years of experience in music teaching, with students from 5 to 60 years old.

He is equally engaged whether teaching master’s students, amateurs or children. The joy of expressing feelings through music is always at the centre of his teaching, and for Povilas, singing is an important part of learning to play an instrument.

“Playing music is a language of feelings — all music should be played as if it were your own.”

His first job as a teacher was at a municipal music school in Lithuania, where he began teaching at the age of 17.

After seven years of studies in Vilnius, Paris, London and Oslo, he combined teaching and masterclasses with his position as a violist in the Oslo Philharmonic and his work as an international solo performer.

Today, he combines an active career as a soloist, festival organizer and composer with extensive pedagogical work.

Povilas has taught students at all levels and given masterclasses at music conservatories in Turkey, Poland, Portugal and France.

He has been involved in a variety of talent programs and courses, including:

Povilas is the director of Bratsjdagene in Asker, a three-day seminar for children, youth and amateur musicians. It is part of the Norwegian Viola Festival, organised by Povilas.

Povilas has developed the workshops/masterclasses “Viola and Voice” and “Stage Communication”, focusing on performance, stage presence and audience engagement. They have been highly successful at the Norwegian Viola Festival, Viola Days in Portugal and music academies in Poland and Turkey.

In January 2026 he presented the “Stage Communication” workshop at the 50th International Viola Congress in Paris.

Povilas is the founder and director of the concert series “Toner og Tanker på Malerhjemmet” and of the Norwegian Viola Festival — one of the largest festivals in the world dedicated to the viola, with 14 days of concerts, lectures and masterclasses.

He has extensive experience in artistic leadership and concert production:

• Former Artistic Director of the Asker Chamber Music Festival and the Asker Chamber Concerts series
• Former co-organizer of the Nansen Norwegian Music Festival in Kharkiv, Ukraine
• Former leader and concert producer for the ensembles Oktava and Ensemble International (Duo Oktava: Povilas and cellist Toril Syrrist-Gelgota)

Povilas has organized and coordinated more than 1,000 concerts across several European countries, with a particular focus on Norway and Lithuania.

In 2011 he received a medal from the Lithuanian Embassy in Norway for his contribution to building musical bridges between Lithuania and Norway.