Lithuanian composers

[Maciek]

Hey Maciek, I'm in Vilnius right now, for the Gaida/ISCM World Music Days festival(s).

* green with envy *

[Maciek]

Keep us updated!

[Christo]

I'll be going to Vilnius in 2008 for the big new music festival there in the fall, and seeing how many discs I can score from that.

Yes, great that you're there now! I once attended this festival in Vilnius as well, almost a decade ago (1999 if I recall well). Didn't find an opportunity to buy many Lithuanian CDs since then. So please keep us updated about your discoveries. !

[some guy]

I will. Even though the concerts are only in the evenings, I still have work to do during the day. And when it's sunny, I have to play tourist and take pictures of cool old buildings. But enough about me.

I think I'll start a thread over in the General Discussion area, since so much of the music is from outside Lithuania. I'll do that as soon as ever I can, promise.

[Dundonnell]

Vilnius is a beautiful city! Quieter and less overrun by tourists than Tallinn and smaller and more attractive than Riga. I visited each capital city in three successive years recently-in order Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius. Lots of delightful churches to see and the marvellous university buldings.

[abidoful]

Vilnius is a beautiful city! Quieter and less overrun by tourists than Tallinn and smaller and more attractive than Riga. I visited each capital city in three successive years recently-in order Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius. Lots of delightful churches to see and the marvellous university buldings.

Isn't there one of the oldest universitys in Europe? (remember hearing it) Yeah, beautiful city-been there twice - and nice Lithuanian cuisine-LOT'S OF POTATO-DISHES!

[Maciek]

Isn't there one of the oldest universitys in Europe? (remember hearing it)

I think it's the oldest university in the Baltic countries (founded 1579) and definitely one of the oldest in Eastern Europe (though the oldest ones, Charles, Jagiellonian and Pecs, are 14th c.).

[abidoful]

I think it's the oldest university in the Baltic countries (founded 1579) and definitely one of the oldest in Eastern Europe (though the oldest ones, Charles, Jagiellonian and Pecs, are 14th c.).

Thank's for correcting 

[Bite]

Well, I could also suggest lithuanian composer Barkauskas as I had a chance to listen to his partita for violin and it is really a good piece, very nice one.
Mentioning others,of course Čiurlionis is one of the most popular lithuanian composers, and I like him too.
A very popular now in Lithuania is a composer Bartulis, a post-modern composer. Also there needs to be mentioned Z.Bružaitė.

As for the concerts here, I could add that in Vilnius concerts take place all the year. From September there are concerts in Vilnius philharmonia and they take place until June. So if one needs to listen to classical music,there are constant concerts, what to my mind, makes Vilnius so attractive 

[bhodges]

Hello Bite, and welcome!  Nice to see a Lithuanian poster here.  Please feel free to post something about yourself in the "Introductions" section.  It's not required, but I'm sure others here would like to know what kinds of music you like, performers, etc.

Anyway, welcome.

--Bruce

[knight66]

Well I'm Lithuanian and born in Vilnius 

Our most known composer is Mikolajus Konstantinas Čiurlionis (1875 - 1911), and I have two CDs of him. His most famous works are the two symphonic poems Jūra (The Sea) and Miške (In the Forest).  he was also a very talented painter (search for his sonatas - 7 cycles of wonderful paintings). Here are the CDs that I own:

I discovered the Youtube clips of this composer's work, some of which showcase his very striking paintings. I don't seem able to get hold of CDs of the two pieces mentioned above. I even contacted a specialist retailer who has come up empty! The music sounds terrific. What a pity the Marco Polo discs are NLA.

Mike

[Mirror Image]

I discovered the Youtube clips of this composer's work, some of which showcase his very striking paintings. I don't seem able to get hold of CDs of the two pieces mentioned above. I even contacted a specialist retailer who has come up empty! The music sounds terrific. What a pity the Marco Polo discs are NLA.

Mike

Mike,

This orchestral recording (on Marco Polo) is out-of-print, but can purchased on Amazon as a CD-R, which, since this recording doesn't look like it's not going to go back into print and no other conductor seems interested in a new recording project, it appears to be the only alternative.

I own this recording but I haven't even heard it yet. The sound samples sounded pleasant enough, so I might give it a spin soon.

[knight66]

Thanks MI, I went back onto Amazon, where I had tried to find that disc and could only earlier source it from the USA. This time I copy/pasted the full name with the Lithuanian lettering and bingo, it came up and was for sale, three left....now only two. So thanks for prompting me to have another try.

Mike

[Mirror Image]

Thanks MI, I went back onto Amazon, where I had tried to find that disc and could only earlier source it from the USA. This time I copy/pasted the full name with the Lithuanian lettering and bingo, it came up and was for sale, three left....now only two. So thanks for prompting me to have another try.

Mike

You're welcome.

[knight66]

The disc has arrived and I am enjoying it a great deal. Immediately attractive music; some of the orchestration is perhaps a bit clotted, but I am very glad I happened to read the thread.

Mike

[listener]

I've just put in an order for Dvarionas Violin Concerto just released on Bis
presto says
"Balys Dvarionas, is even today barely known outside his native Lithuania, even though his Violin Concerto in B minor was taken up by the legendary David Oistrakh. But the two men are united in their music's heartfelt and unabashed romanticism – a romanticism which Vadim Gluzman is perfectly placed to convey."

[vandermolen]

Thought I'd wake this thread up from a ten year slumber to plug the music of the young Lithuanian composer Gediminas Gelgotas whose music I have enjoyed. His six minute work 'Never Ignore the Cosmic Ocean' is, I guess, a piece of music theatre and I think that it's brilliantly performed here by the Baltic Sea Youth Philharmonic. I found it quite captivating and have watched it numerous times. It begins about 1 hour into the concert:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLTXqyjwXDY&t=3909s

And here's his chamber work 'Satisfaction' with the composer playing the piano:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aeiw7Fe7jaM

[Christo]

Great to hear this new - to me - Lithuanian composer. I own a shelve full of Lithuanians, partly bought at the Lithuanian Music Centre in Vilnius, but have to make room for yet another one, I learn. 

[vandermolen]

Great to hear this new - to me - Lithuanian composer. I own a shelve full of Lithuanians, partly bought at the Lithuanian Music Centre in Vilnius, but have to make room for yet another one, I learn. 

Excellent! I've played that 'Never Ignore the Cosmic Ocean' work through numerous times (it only lasts about 5 mins.) It also features on my new 'Baltic Sea Youth Philharmonic CD' but it's better to watch it on You Tube because of the visual elements. I think that the Baltic Sea Philharmonic had great fun performing it.

Here it is:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nKdeAaBp-P4

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Great to hear this new - to me - Lithuanian composer. I own a shelve full of Lithuanians, partly bought at the Lithuanian Music Centre in Vilnius, but have to make room for yet another one, I learn. 

Christo, how did you find the recordings to be that you purchased from the Centre?  Were there other recordings of the same works available at the time or were these all new-to-you works/composers?  Just curious.   

PD