Role

:

Conductor

Birth

:

1989 in Vilnius, Lithuania

 

Giedrė Šlekytė is a Lithuanian conductor and composer who has made a name for herself in the classical music world. Born on May 23, 1988, in Vilnius, Lithuania, Šlekytė grew up in a family of musicians. Her mother was a pianist, and her father was a composer and conductor. From a young age, Šlekytė was exposed to classical music and began playing the piano at the age of six. Šlekytė's passion for music continued to grow, and she went on to study at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. She received her bachelor's degree in conducting in 2010 and her master's degree in composition in 2012. During her studies, Šlekytė had the opportunity to work with renowned conductors such as Neeme Järvi, Paavo Järvi, and Kristjan Järvi. After completing her studies, Šlekytė began her career as a conductor. She quickly gained recognition for her talent and was appointed as the assistant conductor of the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra in 2013. In 2015, she was named the principal conductor of the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra, becoming the first woman to hold this position in the orchestra's history. Since then, Šlekytė has conducted numerous orchestras around the world, including the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Orchestre National de Lyon. She has also collaborated with many renowned soloists, including pianist Yuja Wang and violinist Vadim Gluzman. One of Šlekytė's most notable performances was her debut with the BBC Symphony Orchestra in 2017. She conducted a program that included works by Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, and Shostakovich, receiving critical acclaim for her interpretation of the music. The Guardian praised her "clear, incisive conducting" and noted that she "brought out the best in the orchestra." In addition to her work as a conductor, Šlekytė is also a composer. Her compositions have been performed by orchestras such as the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra and the Kremerata Baltica. In 2016, she was awarded the Lithuanian National Prize for Culture and Arts in the category of young artist for her contributions to both conducting and composition. Šlekytė's dedication to promoting contemporary music has also been recognized. In 2018, she was appointed as the artistic director of the Gaida Festival, one of the largest contemporary music festivals in the Baltic region. Under her leadership, the festival has featured works by many up-and-coming composers and has become a platform for innovative and experimental music. Despite her many accomplishments, Šlekytė remains humble and focused on her work. In an interview with The Guardian, she stated, "I don't think about being a woman conductor. I just think about being a conductor. I want to be judged on my work, not my gender." In conclusion, Giedrė Šlekytė is a talented and accomplished conductor and composer who has made a significant impact on the classical music world. Her dedication to promoting contemporary music and her commitment to excellence have earned her numerous accolades and the respect of her peers. As she continues to conduct and compose, it is clear that Šlekytė will remain a force to be reckoned with in the world of classical music.

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