State ensemble \u201cLietuva\u201d, a professional company involving dancers, folk instrument orchestra, and choir, was established in Vilnius in November 1940. Its initial artistic director, composer Jonas \u0160vedas (1908 \u2013 1971), formulated the ensemble\u2019s artistic objectives: promulgation of folk songs, dances, instrumental music as well as exposing the beauty of Lithuanian national costumes.<\/p>\n
When forming the ensemble, J. \u0160vedas had to decide whether to base the ensemble in a natural ethnographic environment and foster authentic folklore \u2013 songs, dances, and music \u2013 there, or upgrade folk instruments and perform \u201cnew music in folk style,\u201d \u201cspecially balanced folk songs,\u201d and staged versions of folk dances. J. \u0160vedas chose the latter option.<\/p>\n
The ensemble made its debut on February 22, 1941. The program consisted of J. \u0160vedas\u2019 arrangements of folk songs and staged folk dances. It also included sutartin\u0117<\/em> \u2013 an authentic folk song appreciated for its unique sonorities. In November of the same year, the ensemble premiered a staged-concert \u201cCountry Wedding,\u201d featuring wedding customs, and in 1942 introduced one more program in the same vein \u2013 \u201cSt. John\u2019s Celebration.\u201d On March 18, 1943, the ensemble was disbanded and resumed activity in the autumn of 1944. Since then, \u201cLietuva\u201d has focused on expanding its repertoire and experimenting with new artistic forms.<\/p>\n In the 40s \u2013 50s, the ensemble developed the so-called \u201cgolden repertoire\u201d \u2013 compositions (especially dances, choreographed by Juozas Lingys) enjoying popularity to this day. By 1962, the ensemble had developed 25 programs. Needless to say, every program at that time had to have \u201ca cap\u201d \u2013 a \u201cSoviet\u201d song and national dances of the USSR. However, the \u201ccapped\u201d ensemble could relatively easily sing and dance the Lithuanian repertoire, which was always enthusiastically received by the audiences.<\/p>\n In 1962 \u2013 1972, under the direction of Vladas Bartusevi\u010dius (1927 \u2013 1982), the ensemble enriched its repertoire with new programs. The first, called \u201cWinds of Ages,\u201d was a collaboration of 13 composers and 7 poets. The orchestra introduced new folk music instruments such as o\u017eragis<\/em> (goat-horn), molinukai <\/em>(clay pipes), d\u017eingulis <\/em>(bell-stick), tabalai <\/em>(percussion), ragai <\/em>(horns), d\u016bdmai\u0161is <\/em>(bagpipe) also called labanoro d\u016bda<\/em>. Stylized national costumes, designed by the artist D. Mataitien\u0117, stirred a hot discussion. On the whole, this program anticipated a new and more modern artistic tendency.<\/p>\n The program \u201cFestive Evenings\u201d (1968) received even wider acclaim. At its core were the calendar holidays of four main ethnographic regions of Lithuania \u2013 Dz\u016bkija, Auk\u0161taitija, \u017demaitija (Samogitia), and Suvalkija. New and ethnographically meticulous costumes, designed by artists R. Songailait\u0117 and J. Bal\u010dikonis, earned additional admiration. The program featured Dz\u016bkian Christmas carols, Samogitian Mardi Gras, Auk\u0161taitian Jonin\u0117s (St. John\u2019s Celebration), and Suvalkian celebration of the end of autumnal works. This program effectively combined elements of both folk and professional art; it did not neglect a patriotic flavor as well. In developing this program, V. Bartusevi\u010dius collaborated with composers A. Bra\u017einskas, V. Klova, V. Juozapaitis, L. Povilaitis, V. Bagdonas, and B. Dvarionas. The then-government of the Soviet Union could not ignore the artistic success of such a caliber and awarded the program designers the State Prize.<\/p>\n Pranas Budrius (b. 1938), a former director of the orchestra, led the ensemble in 1972 \u2013 1999. He designed five programs. \u201cAcross the Motherland\u201d (1974) \u2013 a journey across Lithuania, guided by Palangos Juz\u0117, a well-known literary character \u2013 enjoyed great popularity. In Suvalkija, Palangos Juz\u0117 visited merrymaking after completing hard work, Dz\u016bkija he was a guest at an evening party, Auk\u0161taitija he took part in youth entertainment, and \u017demaitija (Samogitia) he enjoyed the end-of-winter celebration.<\/p>\n The motives of calendar holidays were also felt in other programs of this period, namely \u201cRye\u2019s Chant\u201d (1985) and \u201cSun Is Crossing the Sky\u201d (1991). The latter was saturated with mythological images, symbols, and pantheistic insights. Marked by theatrical elements and pagan fervor, the program represented ancient Lithuania as well as man\u2019s primeval correlation with nature and the world. This time, the composers\u2019 list introduced new names \u2013 A. Martinaitis, V. Bartulis, and A. Klova.<\/p>\n Composer Leonas Povilaitis (b. 1934) led the ensemble at the turn of the 21st century. He is credited for a program \u201cFrom Ancestors\u2019 Fount\u201d composed of songs, dances, and vocal-choreographic compositions in a folk vein written by the director himself.<\/p>\n Composer G. Svilainis (b. 1972) has led the ensemble since 2004. Under his guidance, the ensemble has developed new programs marked by original musical style and innovative interpretation of Lithuanian folklore. In the musical spectacle \u201cThunderer,\u201d composers G. Svilainis and N. Sinkevi\u010di\u016bt\u0117 shunned small-scale numbers and concentrated on continuous dramaturgical development. Seven scenes, in one way or another, refer to one of the foremost characters of ancient Lithuanian culture \u2013 pagan god Thunderer and his environment \u2013 witches, clouds, devil, and senior priests. Striking music links the world, gods, and men into one undividable orb.<\/p>\n In 2004, the ensemble introduced G. Svilainis\u2019 folklore mystery play \u201cLightning Flowers,\u201d in which the composer fused folklore and music. It was an attempt to render authentic folk music in the language of contemporary culture, to merge it with vigorous songs and dances. The recent program \u201cUnforgettable. Old \u2013 New\u201d is a garland of contrasts. Its first half presents the ensemble\u2019s \u201cgolden repertoire,\u201d while the second half revisits another music of the Soviet era with a hint of irony: popular melodies of that time arranged for folk and percussion instruments by G. Svilainis. An electronic synthesizer amplifies this peculiar orchestra. This is a concert-game, half seriously half-jokingly recapping odd values of the time, which seems so far away for today\u2019s young generation.<\/p>\n In the first post-war decade, the ensemble performed mostly in Lithuania, other \u201cbrotherly\u201d republics, and Moscow. Concerts at the decade of Lithuanian literature and art in Moscow in 1954 received a positive critical response. Performances in Poland (1957) and Romania (1958) brought international acclaim. Since then, the ensemble has toured in Europe (37 countries), Asia, and North and Latin America. The year 1999 saw \u201cLietuva\u201d conquering Japanese audiences. Upon the Japanese request, the program featured folk dances of 10 different regions of Lithuania. In addition to the concert program, V. Buterlevi\u010dius, leader of the dance group, led six folk dance seminars in different Japanese cities.<\/p>\n Currently, the ensemble involves 116 persons including singers, dancers, musicians, and administrative personnel. The ensemble invests its energies in building a variety of new projects. The artistic altar is constantly rekindled with the flame of national art.<\/p>\n Thirty-six persons were on the personnel list on February 22, 1941; 152 on February 22, 1991; today \u2013 116. In more than six decades, the ensemble performed over 1000 works and appeared in over 8000 concerts.<\/p>\n Composers:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u0160vedas \u2013 128 works<\/p>\n Klova \u2013 57 works<\/p>\n Bra\u017einskas \u2013 49 works<\/p>\n Povilaitis \u2013 31 works<\/p>\n Juozapaitis \u2013 30 works<\/p>\n Choreographers:<\/strong><\/p>\n Lingys \u2013 167 works<\/p>\n Buterlevi\u010dius \u2013 41 works<\/p>\n Gudavi\u010dius \u2013 24 works<\/p>\n Kondratavi\u010dius \u2013 15 works<\/p>\n Artistic Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n Years of service are indicated in parentheses.<\/em><\/p>\n \u0160vedas (1940\u20131943, 1944\u20131962)<\/p>\n Bartusevi\u010dius (1962\u20131972)<\/p>\n Budrius (1972\u20131999)<\/p>\n Svilainis (2008)<\/p>\n Choir Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n Years of service are indicated in parentheses.<\/em><\/p>\n Leparskas (1945\u20131946, 1953\u20131954)<\/p>\n Il\u010diukas (1954\u20131960)<\/p>\n Zaleckas (1961\u20131962)<\/p>\n Krogertas (1962\u20131968)<\/p>\n \u017deimys (1968\u20131988)<\/p>\n Kri\u016bnas (1988)<\/p>\n Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n Years of service are indicated in parentheses.<\/em><\/p>\n Povilaitis (1999\u20132001)<\/p>\n Aleksandravi\u010dius (2002)<\/p>\n Svilainis (2004-2008)<\/p>\n Katinskas (2009)<\/p>\n Orchestra Directors-Conductors:<\/strong><\/p>\n Years of service are indicated in parentheses.<\/em><\/p>\n Pilypaitis (1946\u20131968)<\/p>\n Budrius (1968\u20131972)<\/p>\n Budrys (1972\u20131989)<\/p>\n Vidugiris (1989\u20131992)<\/p>\n Prusevi\u010dius (1992)<\/p>\n Luko\u010dius (2010)<\/p>\n Kaveckas (2012)<\/p>\n Dance Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n Years of service are indicated in parentheses.<\/em><\/p>\n Baronait\u0117 (1940\u20131943)<\/p>\n Parulis (1943\u20131946)<\/p>\n Lingys (1946\u20131981)<\/p>\n Buterlevi\u010dius (1981)<\/p>\n Stage Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n Years of service are indicated in parentheses.<\/em><\/p>\n Veli\u010dka (1941\u20131946)<\/p>\n Dauguvietis (1949\u20131950)<\/p>\n Gruodis (1950\u20131951)<\/p>\n Petrauskien\u0117 (1951\u20131955)<\/p>\n Nosevi\u010di\u016bt\u0117 (1960\u20131961)<\/p>\n Jurk\u016bnas (1961)<\/p>\n Kernagis (1963, 1974)<\/p>\n Petrokas (1991, 2000)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" State ensemble \u201cLietuva\u201d, a professional company involving dancers, folk instrument orchestra, and choir, was established in Vilnius in November 1940. Its initial artistic director, composer Jonas \u0160vedas (1908 \u2013 1971), formulated the ensemble\u2019s artistic objectives: promulgation of folk songs, dances, instrumental music as well as exposing the beauty of Lithuanian national costumes. When forming the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":548,"parent":2516,"menu_order":35,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2670","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nContributors To The Ensemble\u2019s Repertoire:<\/h4>\n