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Algirdas Martinaitis. The Book of the Beginning and the End

by Synaesthesis

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Arma Christi 18:17
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Vigil 12:45

about

The oeuvre of composer Algirdas Martinaitis (b. 1950) stands out as a truly authentic representation of Lithuanian identity in music. He made his debut in the 1980s, the last decade of the oppressive Soviet regime, his compositions reflecting on some of the key contemporary artistic ideas, such as a neo-romantic worldview, a reverent attitude toward nature and life, ecological concerns, and a dejection due to ancient rustic traditions gradually being lost. He, like certain other composers of his generation, had earned the name of young neo-romantics for the similar themes they tended to pursue and, most remarkably, for their resigned melancholy which, they thought, was the most appropriate artistic response to the realities of the stagnant Soviet times impeding their dreams and aspirations.

Just as the world consists of four basic elements (water, earth, air, re), Martinaitis’ music stems from four spiritual elements, or modi: the lyricism of nature, Christian faith, sarcasm, and sustainability. Sometimes, all four appear in a single piece.

The current recording recreates, in part, a 1996 performance at the National Philharmonic of Lithuania dedicated to Martinaitis’ music written between 1993 and 1996 and presented, for that occasion, under the title The Book of the Beginning and the End. This was a time of great transformation in the composer’s worldview prompted by a particularly appalling experience when his son almost died after a brutal assault in the street. Following the shocking incident, Martinaitis decisively chose the path of a deeply religious and humble Christian. The music in this compilation is branded with the motifs of apocalypse, repentance, obedience, and mercy. While using sound metaphors to underline the essential meaning of Christian symbols, the composer never really abandons his sarcastic alter ego. “All of our imagined talents are negligible, just like the mission of an artist. Sometimes I ‘slaughter’ them in the most obvious manner to reject any hint of self-importance. I simply ‘cut down’ my piece after briefly reaching its highest point. If a piece of music is the way, then there’s always a wayside. One has to accept this.”

credits

released February 18, 2022

Composed by: Algirdas Martinaitis

Simona Liamo – soprano (6, 7, 9)
Nerijus Masevičius – bass-baritone (6, 9)

CONTEMPORARY MUSIC ENSEMBLE SYNAESTHESIS:
Paulius Balčytis –trombone (5-9)
Andrius Rekašius – percussion (8, 9)
Marta Finkelštein – piano (1, 5-9)
Monika Kiknadzė – viola (3, 4, 9)
Donatas Butkevičius – double bass (3-9)
Karolis Variakojis – conductor

Guest performers:
Ugnius Dičiūnas – oboe (2, 4, 9)
Indrė Baišktytė – piano (5)
Algirdas Martinaitis – electric grindstone (8)

Recorded at: Mama Studios
Graphic design: Alicija Širvinskienė, AKTIN
Translated by: Darius Krasauskas
Producer: Sigita Einikienė

Released by Music Information Centre Lithuania
Supported by Lithuanian Council for Culture, Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania

℗ & © Music Information Centre Lithuania, MICL CD 113, mic.lt

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Synaesthesis Vilnius, Lithuania

Synaesthesis vision extends beyond the sound into space, light, movement, and narrative — any medium that allows for professionally performed music to become a multidimensional experience and blur the lines between genres.

Having been awarded the Ernst von Siemens Foundation Ensemble Prize in 2020, Synaesthesis continues to widen its reach as a performing entity of considerable renown.
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