MUSIC IN LITHUANIA

PROFESSIONAL MUSIC SPREAD IN LITHUANIA XI – XIII c. It is believed that professional music in Lithuania appeared with the traveling monks, gradually spread in Lithuanian churches, noble palaces and manor houses. XIV – XV c. After the Christianization of Lithuania (1387) church music especially spread. Bands were introduced in noble palaces. PROFESSIONAL MUSIC SPREAD IN LITHUANIA

PROFESSIONAL MUSIC SPREAD IN LITHUANIA. XVI C. The first Lithuanian book (1547) was published, at the end of which a book of songs was added. Vilnius University was opened(1579). Music sounded in the performances of university theatre, and subsequently students’ choirs and orchestras appeared . PROFESSIONAL MUSIC SPREAD IN LITHUANIA.

PROFESSIONAL MUSIC SPREAD IN LITHUANIA XVII C. For the first time in Lithuania an opera (1636) was performed– “The Abduction of Helen” (the authors Puchiteli V. and M. Skako). Vilnius University Professor Zygmunt Liauksminas wrote the first music textbook in Lithuania (1667). PROFESSIONAL MUSIC SPREAD IN LITHUANIA

PROFESSIONAL MUSIC SPREAD IN LITHUANIA XVIII c. Operas were staged in manors. The first city theatre was founded in Vilnius (1785), in which operas were staged. PROFESSIONAL MUSIC SPREAD IN LITHUANIA

Old Lithuanian folk music - very archaic, of ritual purposes - from Pagan switched to Christian. Songs are divided by the regions and lyrics dialect. LITHUANIAN FOLK MUSIC

Songs - the main musical cultural heritage, especially Lihuanian multipart songs popular in north-eastern part of Lithuania. Multipart songs included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. LITHUANIAN FOLK MUSIC

LITHUANIAN CHOIRS MUSIC In the interwar Lithuania choirs were founded in educational institutions; at state offices or public organizations; Choirs of the Soviet period helped to preserve the national culture and spirit, which was supported by patriotic songs -as "Lithuania Dear” and others. LITHUANIAN CHOIRS MUSIC

Choirs meetings, festivals, usually held by the choir leaders, have developed into a phenomenal global cultural phenomenon - Song festivals that attract thousands of performers and spectators. Now Song Festivals are held every four years, they bring together different amateur and professional teams from all over Lithuania and the world. Song Festivals are included on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Lietuvos chorų muzika

LITHUANIAN CLASSICAL AND CONTEMPORARY MODERN MUSIC Lithuanian classical music started in the Palace of grand dukes of Lithuania where musical works were performed in the Renaissance period. The most talented composers: Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis, Mikas Petrauskas, Juozas Naujalis, Stasys Šimkus. LITHUANIAN CLASSICAL AND CONTEMPORARY MODERN MUSIC

M.K. Čiurlionis Juozas Naujalis Mikas Petrauskas Stasys Šimkus

Lithuanian pop music was formed at the beginning of the twentieth century. The best known pre-war Lithuania performers were Danielius Donskis , Antanas Šabaniauskas. Pop music flourished in Lithuania in its concert form in the twentieth century. Instrumental groups: “Pop melodies”, “Nerija”, "Duck“. A deep imprint was left by a bard singer Vytautas Kernagis. LITHUANIAN POP MUSIC

Danielius Dolskis Antanas Šabaniauskas Vytautas Kernagis

Currently, Lithuania has one professional jazz band - Kaunas Big Band. The most famous artists – blowers Petras Vyšniauskas, Vytautas Labutis, a soloist Neda Malūnavičiūtė. Many viewers attract international Birštonas, Kaunas and Vilnius Jazz Festivals. Lithuania is among the strongest of its jazz music between the North-Central European countries. JAZZ IN LITHUANIA

Neda Malūnavičiūtė Vytautas Labutis Petras Vyšniauskas

Lithuania has an annual International Country Music Festival, Visaginas country, which brings together artists not only from Lithuania but also from Poland, Denmark, Bulgaria, the U.S. and other countries. COUNTRY MUSIC

One of the most famous country music artists - Virgis Stakėnas

Lithuania operates a wide network of music schools Lithuania operates a wide network of music schools. There are high schools (eg. Lithuanian Music and Theatre Academy) and other extra-curricular schools which teach music (eg. art schools). EDUCATION