Composers On Air

Composers On Air welcomes Mindaugas Urbaitis. This special guest is a monumental influencer in the historical evolution of contemporary music. Not only a composer, Urbaitis is an important figure in the  Lithuanian cultural landscape with a broad spectrum of contributions in the field of music education, musicology, theater, film, opera, ballet and broadcasting. He is a co-founder of Modus, a radio show and now a podcast with Šarūnas Nakas with over 600 episodes. Tracklist: Compositions by Mindaugas Urbaitis: Schlußstück from the album Lithuanian New Music Year 1998 (Music Information Centre, 1999), Judita Leitaitė (soprano), Vygantas Šilinskas (trombone), Danielius Rubinas (double bass), Pavelas Giunteris (percussion), Ramūnas Kaučikas (percussion), Chordos String Quatet, Conductor Mindaugas Piečaitis; Lithuanian Folk Music from the album A Baltic Collection (Finlandia Records, 2000), Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra, conductor – Juha Kangas; Der Fall Wagner from the album Vėl. Lithuanian Chamber Music 1991-2001 (Guild, 2004), Carsten Hustedt (flute), Ingrida Armonaitė (violin), Audronė Pšibilskienė (viola); Lacrimosa from the album Psalmos. Lithuanian Sacred Contemporary Music (Vilnius Recording Studio, 1998), conductor – Modestas Pitrėnas; Quartetto per archi from the album Love Song and Farewell (Vilnius Recording Studio, 1998), Vilnius Quartet: Audronė Vainiūnaitė (1st violin), Petras Kunca (2nd violin), Girdutis Jakaitis (viola), Augustinas Vasiliauskas (cello); Salve (2017), Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra, Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre Symphony Orchestra, conductor – Gintaras Rinkevičius, Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre, 2019; Arrest and First Investigation. Fräulein Bürstner from the ballet The Trial (Creative Industries, 2022), Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre symphony orchestra, conductor – Modestas Barkauskas; Stillness from the album M.K.Čiurlionis 125 (Bomba Records, 2000), Sonata Deveikytė-Zubovienė (piano), Vilnius String Quartet; The Book of Jerusalem of the North from the album Zoom in 2: New Music from Lithuania (Music Information Centre Lithuania, 2003), Edgaras Montvidas-Prudkauskas (tenor), Aleksandras Štarkas (violin), men's group of the chamber choir Aidija, Saulius Astrauskas, Zenonas Bagavičius, Vladislovas Šeibakas (percussion), Liudmila Adomavičiūtė (celesta); Strolling Over the Groves and Fields from the album Aidija. Lithuanian Choir Music (Aidija, 2009), chamber choir Aidija, conductor – Romualdas Gražinis.

The music of Dominykas Digimas is an overwhelmingly reliable source for transporting the inner state to a melancholic feeling of emotional simplicity. This is experienced as inexplicable comfort possibly making the listener feel like they are connecting with their true nature. A committed champion of the contemporary classical community, Digimas is a co-founder of the acclaimed ensemble Synaesthesis, a powerful force in the international performance and recording scene. We discuss the complexity of memory, the vulnerability of private communication, the creative process as well as his work as an organizer. The excerpts include a variety of instrumentation including examples from Synaesthesis and his orchestral palette. Tracklist: Podcast intro: Bronius Kutavičius Anno cum tettigonia from Lithuanian Music in Context II. Landscapes of Minimalism (Music Information Centre Lithuania, 2011), Silesian String Quartet: Marek Moś (violin), Arkadiusz Kubica (violin), Łukasz Syrnicki (viola), Piotr Janosik (cello). Compositions by Dominykas Digimas: per sense (2018), Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, conductor – Juozas Domarkas, Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society, 2018; Oscillations from the album Melos. Minimal Voices (Aktualios muzikos projektai, 2020), Vocal Ensemble Melos: Justina Leinartaitė, Gabrielė Bilevičiūtė, Karolina Macytė, Gabija Adamonytė; From Another Point of View from the album Another Point of View (Music Information Centre Lithuania, 2018), Synaesthesis: Vytautas Oškinis (flute), Artūras Kažimėkas (clarinet), Andrius Rekašius (percussion), Marta Finkelštein (piano), Diemantė Merkevičiūtė (violin), Elena Daunytė (cello), Donatas Butkevičius (double bass), conductor – Karolis Variakojis; komorebi (2021), Cello Club: Povilas Jacunskas, Rokas Vaitkevičius, Evaldas Petkus, Domas Jakštas, Arnas Kmieliauskas, Lithuanian National Culture Centre, 2022; playing chess in Antarctica (2017), Twenty Fingers Duo: Lora Kmieliauskaitė (violin), Arnas Kmieliauskas (cello), Music Innovation Studies Centre, 2017; Sensescape from the album flaneur (Synaesthesis, 2021), Contemporary music ensemble Synaesthesis: Vytenis Gurstis (flute), Artūras Kažimėkas (clarinet), Diemantė Merkevičiūtė (violin), Monika Kiknadzė (viola), Arnas Kmieliauskas (cello), Donatas Butkevičius (double bass), Andrius Rekašius (vibraphone), Marta Finkelštein (piano), conductor – Karolis Variakojis; swells, pines, rustles… (2022), Lithuanian Symphonic Winds Orchestra, conductor – Karolis Variakojis, Baltic Music Days festival, 2022.

Rūta Vitkauskaitė’s work reflects a deep commitment and understanding of academic music combining her sincere interest in tribal and ethnic music. In addition to hearing her own solo violin performance, we learn about the complex and sometimes challenging aspects of her compositional process, her courage to fight for her creative space, the relationships she has formed with her collaborators and her sincere care for her audience. We also learn about her sound walk project. Her music is highly dynamic,  always generating an active emotion. Tracklist: Podcast intro: Bronius Kutavičius Anno cum tettigonia from Lithuanian Music in Context II. Landscapes of Minimalism (Music Information Centre Lithuania, 2011), Silesian String Quartet: Marek Moś (violin), Arkadiusz Kubica (violin), Łukasz Syrnicki (viola), Piotr Janosik (cello). Compositions by Rūta Vitkauskaitė: Chrysalis (2018), Jude Carlton (percussion), Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, conductor – Karolis Variakojis, Gaida Festival, 2018; Orion Arm (2011), Ludus Gravis: Daniele Roccato, Stefano Battaglia, Maurizio Bucci, Paolo Di Gironimo, Simone Masina, Giacomo Piermatti, Francesco Platoni, Alessandro Schillaci (double basses), Gaida Festival, 2011; Savęsp (2018), Martynas Levickis (accordion), Vilnius City Ensemble Mikroorkéstra, Congress Hall, Vilnius, 2018; Song about tree, river, sea and land (2009), NOA vocal ensemble: Olga Zagorskaja (soprano), Nora Petročenko (soprano), Rita Mačiliūnaitė (mezzo-soprano), Ana Ablamonova (mezzo-sooprano), Indrė Jurgelevičiūtė (alto), Akvilė Kalinaitė (alto), Artūras Miknaitis (baritone), Mykolas Natalevičius (bass), Giedrius Gelgotas (flute),  Arūnas Kučinskas (double-bass), conductor – Egidijus Kaveckas, Druskomanija Festival, 2009; The Oracle of Many Winds (2021), Katherine Wren (viola), Modern Chants 2021; Byoyomi (2020), CRAS: Henrik Bay Hansen, Mikkel Egelund Nielsen, Jacob Nørrelund, Søren Eriksen, Uffe Carl Hanson, Peter Oldrup (guitars), Cinemateket 2020; O Mirum (2020), Rūta Vitkauskaitė (violin, electronics).

With the innovative courage of Modernism combined with a deeply focused ruthlessness of fine detail, Repečkaitė guides us through a musical journey ranging from her cultural roots of folk music, her musical beginnings, then sharing the most complex experiments and meticulous execution in electronic and computer-based music. Electro-acoustic projects with groundbreaking techniques and meaningful collaborations with instrumentalists are a highlight as she walks us through her experiences at IRCAM (Institut de recherche et coordination acoustique/musique) in Paris. Tracklist: Podcast intro: Bronius Kutavičius Anno cum tettigonia from Lithuanian Music in Context II. Landscapes of Minimalism (Music Information Centre Lithuania, 2011), Silesian String Quartet: Marek Moś (violin), Arkadiusz Kubica (violin), Łukasz Syrnicki (viola), Piotr Janosik (cello). Compositions by Justina Repečkaitė: Sturnus vulgaris cohibitus (2020), Marco Ricelli (piano, transducers), Villa Waldberta, 2022; Tapisserie from the album Zoom In 12: New Art Music from Lithuania (Music Information Centre Lithuania, 2018), Ensemble Court-Circuit: Anne Cartel (flute), Pierre Dutrieu (clarinet), Jean-Marie Cottet (piano), Alexandra Greffin Klein (violin), Alfredo Mola (cello), conductor – David Hurpeau; Saulala sādina, lylia from the album Sutartinės (Juosta Records, 2003), Trys keturiose; Pulsating Skin (2021), Mathias Lachenmayr (snare drums, electronics), Villa Waldberta, 2022; Chartres from the album Zoom In 10: New Music From Lithuania (Music Information Centre Lithuania, 2014), St. Christopher Chamber Orchestra, conductor – Donatas Katkus; Toro (2015), Vianney Desplantes (euphonium), CRR Boulogne-Billancourt, 2015; Transduced (2020), Yannick Monnot (snare drums, cymbal, Tibetan bowl, transducers, electronics), Center Pompidou, 2020; Cosmatesque (2017), Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, conductor – Christopher Lyndon-Gee, Gaida Festival, Lithuanian National Philharmonic Hall, 2017.

Vykintas Baltakas walks us through his creative process as a composer, conductor, ensemble organizer and educator. His approach to his compositions vary widely: they can be specific or metaphorical images, lyric poetry, formal models or particularly crafted energy patterns. In our conversation we discover the depth and richness of many of his multifaceted musical relationships in an exciting and meaningful creative life. Tracklist: Podcast intro: Bronius Kutavičius Anno cum tettigonia from Lithuanian Music in Context II. Landscapes of Minimalism (Music Information Centre Lithuania, 2011), Silesian String Quartet: Marek Moś (violin), Arkadiusz Kubica (violin), Łukasz Syrnicki (viola), Piotr Janosik (cello). Compositions by Vykintas Baltakas: Smokey Arnold from the ablum Ouroboros (Kairos, 2020), Het Collectief: Toon Fret (flute), Julien Hervé (clarinet), Wibert Aerts (violin), Martijn Vink (cello), Thomas Dieltjens (piano); Lift To Dubai from the album Ouroboros (Kairos, 2020), LENsemble, conductor – Vykintas; Eselsbrücke (2013), Scharoun Ensemble der Berliner Philharmoniker, conductor – Matthias Pintscher, Salzburger Festspiele, 2013; Pasaka from the album b(ell tree) (Kairos, 2016), Benjamin Kobler (piano); (co)ro(na) from the album b(ell tree) (Kairos, 2016), Tokyo Sinfonietta, conductor – Yasuaki Itakura; about to drink dense clouds (2003), Maria Harp (reciter), Klangforum Wien, conductor – Vykintas Baltakas, Vienne Konzerthaus 2003; Sandwriting II (2019), SWR Symphonieorchester, conductor – Brad Lubman, ECLAT Festival Stuttgart, 2019; Neon Sea (2019), Karin de Fleyt (flute), HERMESensemble, Centre Pousseur (electronics), Venice Biennale, 2019; Cladi (2020), Teodoro Anzellotti (accordion), live recording, 2020.

This dialogue investigates what at first seems to be a window into an ascetic and still landscape of sound, but we also experience carefully crafted complexity that is nurtured by space and breadth cleansed from chaos and demonstrating a clear musical message worthy of a special calm. We discuss aspects of early music, Gregorian chant, deep dives into the creative process and uncovering how intention and inspiration transforms into musical encounters of ruthless honesty. Tracklist: Podcast intro: Bronius Kutavičius Anno cum tettigonia from Lithuanian Music in Context II. Landscapes of Minimalism (Music Information Centre Lithuania, 2011), Silesian String Quartet: Marek Moś (violin), Arkadiusz Kubica (violin), Łukasz Syrnicki (viola), Piotr Janosik (cello). Compositions by Diana Čemerytė: Mondgesang from the album Mondgesänge für Blockflöte und Akkordeon (Genuin Classics, 2019), Sabine Ambos - recorders, Mirjana Petercol - accordion; Still from the album 25 Plus Piano Solo. Piano Music by 27 Women composers (Salto Records International, 2004), Ingo Stadtmüller (piano); Lamentation from the album Musik für Ravensbrück (Kulturfeste im Land Brandenburg, 2003), Tempera String Quartet; Meine Seele wartet, after listening to Bach (2020), Baltic Music Days (2021), ensemble Synaesthesis; Jahre ohne Mozart (2009), Auryn Quartet, Kasseler Musiktage 2009.

The music of Egidija Medekšaitė is a culmination of interdisciplinary studies and practice writing concert music, music for dance, film and even animation. Many of her compositions are in the creative focus of utilizing textile patterns that are transformed into music as well as influences of Indian Classical music. Her calculated structural patterns result in a hypnotic and magical flow of sound and we are easily lured into an enchanting musical experience. Tracklist: Podcast intro: Bronius Kutavičius Anno cum tettigonia from Lithuanian Music in Context II. Landscapes of Minimalism (Music Information Centre Lithuania, 2011), Silesian String Quartet: Marek Moś (violin), Arkadiusz Kubica (violin), Łukasz Syrnicki (viola), Piotr Janosik (cello). Compositions by Egidija Medekšaitė: Sattva from the album Zoom in 13: New Art Music from Lithuania (Music Information Centre Lithuania, 2019), Raimondas Sviackevičius (accordion); Megh Malhar from the album Zoom in 12: New Art Music from Lithuania (Music Information Centre Lithuania, 2018), Quatuor Bozzini String Quartet: Clemens Merkel (violin), Alissa Cheung (violin), Stephanie Bozzini (viola), Isabelle Bozzini (cello); Âkâsha from the album Textile (Music Information Centre Lithuania, 2017), Klaipėda chamber orchestra, artistic director – Mindaugas Bačkus; Textile 1 from the album Textile (2017), Motiejus Bazaras (I piano), Mykolas Bazaras (II piano); Sandhi Prakash from the album Textile (2017), London’s all-Australian chamber orchestra Ruthless Jabiru, conductor – Kelly Lovelady; Scintilla from the album Textile (2017), Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, conductor – Modestas Pitrėnas; The Pleiades (2009), Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, conductor – Robertas Šervenikas, Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society, 2009.

In this conversation, we discuss the dimensions of compositional process and style. Vytautas V. Jurgutis is truly an exponent of a new type of multi-faceted artist. He is a do-it-yourself musician, delving into primordial depths of sound. A mathematician, thinking in sophisticated musical routines of programming languages, we discover a composer of solid academic background, employing a vast modernist heritage of advanced instrumental writing and deeply engaging electronic soundscapes. Tracklist: Podcast intro: Bronius Kutavičius Anno cum tettigonia from Lithuanian Music in Context II. Landscapes of Minimalism (Music Information Centre Lithuania, 2011), Silesian String Quartet: Marek Moś (violin), Arkadiusz Kubica (violin), Łukasz Syrnicki (viola), Piotr Janosik (cello). Compositions by Vytautas V. Jurgutis: Su60 from the album Sound Masks (Caprice Records, 2003); Ellipses from the album zoom in 3: new music from Lithuania (Music Information Centre Lithuania, 2004), Arditti Quartet: Irvine Arditti (violin), Graeme Jennings (violin), Ralf Ehlers (viola), Rohan de Saram (cello); Alpha 10 from the album Sound Masks (Caprice Records, 2003); Axis from the album Sound Masks (Caprice Records, 2003); Metroscan (2015); Terra tecta from the album zoom in 4: new music from Lithuania (Music Information Centre Lithuania, 2004), Mindaugas Bačkus (cello).

In this Deep Dive, we explore the intricacies and designs of speech analysis and innovative processes that characterise an unusually deep thinker. From the richly complex solo instrument of a Tam Tam to a full orchestra, we find an infinite set of possibilities of how to master the subtleties of timbre. ​Tracklist: Podcast intro: Bronius Kutavičius Anno cum tettigonia from Lithuanian Music in Context II. Landscapes of Minimalism (Music Information Centre Lithuania, 2011), Silesian String Quartet: Marek Moś (violin), Arkadiusz Kubica (violin), Łukasz Syrnicki (viola), Piotr Janosik (cello). Compositions by Marius Baranauskas: Talking from the album Talking (Music Information Centre Lithuania, 2007), Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, conductor - Robertas Šervenikas; I Boasted Among Men from Three Visions after Tagore from the album Zoom in 8: New Music from Lithuania (Music Information Centre Lithuania, 2010), Latvian Radio Choir, conductor - James Wood; The Molten Thought from the album Talking (Music Information Centre Lithuania, 2007), Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, conductor - Robertas Šervenikas; 2nd Dream from Five Dreams About Metallic Fog from the album Talking (Music Information Centre Lithuania, 2007), Edita Bagdonaitė - soprano; The Prayer (2007), Jonė Kaliūnaitė - viola, St. Christopher Chamber orchestra, conductor - Donatas Katkus, Saint Catherine’s Church, 2007; Delta Cephei from the album Zoom in 12: New Art Music from Lithuania (Music Information Centre Lithuania, 2018), Povilas Jacunskas (cello), Tomas Kulikauskas (tam-tam).

In this conversation, we take a deep-dive into the compositional process, the experience of rehearsals and the inner dimensions of cross-cultural perspectives on a deeply fascinating musical life. Working at a world-class level, Šerkšnytė shares her personal views on accessing a meaningful intention that spans a broad range of emotions from meditation to dramatic expression. Her main artistic inspiration is the universal rules of harmony in nature with its metaphorical comparison to the archetypical states of the human mind. Working with distinguished orchestras and conductors, she searches for the coexistence of archetypes from both Western and Eastern cultures and the fusion of major and minor resulting in a special one-of-a-kind beauty. Tracklist: Podcast intro: Bronius Kutavičius Anno cum tettigonia from Lithuanian Music in Context II. Landscapes of Minimalism (Music Information Centre Lithuania, 2011), Silesian String Quartet: Marek Moś (violin), Arkadiusz Kubica (violin), Łukasz Syrnicki (viola), Piotr Janosik (cello). Compositions by Raminta Šerkšnytė: Fires from the album Zoom In 10: New Music from Lithuania (Music Information Centre Lithuania, 2010), Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, conductor - Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla; De profundis from the album Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla. Going for the Impossible - A Portrait (Deutsche Grammophon, 2019), Kremerata Baltica, conductor - Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla; Iceberg Symphony from the album Vortex (Music Information Centre Lithuania, 2007), Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, conductor - Robertas Šervenikas; Songs of Sunset and Dawn from the album Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla. Going for the Impossible - A Portrait (Deutsche Grammophon, 2019), Lina Dambrauskaitė (soprano), Justina Gringytė (mezzo-soprano), Tomas Pavilionis (tenor), Nerijus Masevičius (bass-baritone), Vilnius Municipal Choir Jauna Muzika, Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, conductor - Giedrė Šlekytė; Fantasia from the publication Fantasia (Music Information Centre, 2015), Raminta Šerkšnytė (piano); Sheep from Fairy-Tale of the Little Prince (2007), St Christopher Chamber Orchestra, conductor - Donatas Katkus, St Catherine’s Church, 2007.