The birbynė is a traditional instrument found only in Lithuania. It has a single reed attached with a tightly wound string and is typically made out of maple or cherry wood cured in hot oil or resin. The lower end is fitted with a flared cow horn. The most commonly used modern version has ten finger holes and a register key. The bore is neither quite cylindrical nor quite conical, which allows it to overblow at an unprecedented tenth. These physical traits result in an instrument capable of producing a warm rich sound close to a human voice, an Asian flute or the Armenian doudouk, making it well adapted to contemporary compositions.

Echo Nocturne (2021) 6′ by Xu Yi

Forest Gazing (2020) 11′ by Carol Robinson – commissioned by Radio France, for birbyne and string quartet

Toucher l’Air (2019) 21′ by Jürg Frey

As far as will fill up the time (2016) 10′ by Zad Moultaka – commissioned by Radio France, for birbyne and tape

Sei studi di vertigine (2015) 14′ by Nadir Vassena  – commissioned by the Archipel Festival

Arbōs (2015) 9’ by Janis Petraskevics – commissioned by the Archipel Festival

OCCAM III (2012) 20’ by Eliane Radigue

Billows (2009) 20′ by Carol Robinson – released on PLUSH, for birbyne and live electronics

Day / Light Times (2008) 10’ by Carol Robinson – composed at Civitella Rainieri