Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Lithuania

Birth

:

June 12, 1956 in Vilnius, Lithuania

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Onutė Narbutaitė is a Lithuanian composer who was born on August 12, 1956, in Vilnius, Lithuania. She is one of the most prominent contemporary composers in Lithuania and has gained international recognition for her works. Narbutaitė's music is known for its unique blend of modern and traditional elements, and her compositions often explore themes of spirituality, nature, and human emotions. Narbutaitė grew up in a family of musicians, and her parents were both professional musicians. Her mother was a pianist, and her father was a composer and conductor. Narbutaitė began studying music at a young age and showed a natural talent for composition. She attended the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre in Vilnius, where she studied composition with Julius Juzeliūnas and Bronius Kutavičius. Narbutaitė's early works were influenced by the Lithuanian folk music tradition, and she often incorporated folk melodies and rhythms into her compositions. Her first major work, "Lithuanian Mass," was composed in 1983 and was based on traditional Lithuanian hymns. The piece was well-received and helped establish Narbutaitė as a rising star in the Lithuanian music scene. In the 1990s, Narbutaitė's music began to take on a more modern and experimental tone. She began incorporating electronic music and avant-garde techniques into her compositions, and her works became more abstract and introspective. One of her most notable works from this period is "Sinfonia col triangolo," a piece for orchestra and triangle that explores the relationship between sound and silence. Narbutaitė's music has been performed by some of the world's leading orchestras and ensembles, including the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the Kronos Quartet. Her works have been featured at major music festivals around the world, including the Salzburg Festival, the Edinburgh International Festival, and the Warsaw Autumn Festival. One of Narbutaitė's most acclaimed works is "Open the Gates of Oblivion," a piece for orchestra and choir that was commissioned by the BBC Symphony Orchestra in 2006. The piece is based on the poetry of the Lithuanian poet Tomas Venclova and explores themes of memory, loss, and the passage of time. The work has been praised for its haunting beauty and emotional depth. Another notable work by Narbutaitė is "In Search of Lost Beauty," a piece for string quartet and electronics that was commissioned by the Kronos Quartet in 2010. The piece is inspired by the writings of Marcel Proust and explores the idea of memory and the fleeting nature of beauty. The work has been praised for its innovative use of electronics and its ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing. Narbutaitė's music is known for its spiritual and mystical qualities, and many of her works explore themes of transcendence and the search for meaning in life. Her music often incorporates elements of nature, and she has spoken about the importance of connecting with the natural world in her creative process. In addition to her work as a composer, Narbutaitė is also a respected music educator and has taught at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre since 1989. She has also served as a guest lecturer at universities and music schools around the world. Overall, Onutė Narbutaitė is a highly respected and influential composer who has made significant contributions to the world of contemporary classical music.

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