THE HISTORY AND THE PRESENT DAY OF LITHUANIAN MUSIC (FROM ČIURLIONIS TO LANDSBERGIS)

Abstract

national identity and patriotism, and thus to the support of those values which, through the ages, had been in a way latent and after they had been aroused, they were endangered by a succession of unfavourable circumstances. In 1910 Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis wrote that ?Lithuanian music can with certainty be said to have a future ahead, but at the moment such music does not exist at all,? and that ?the birth of the true Lithuanian music lies two hundred or perhaps even three hundred years away.?1 Looking at the modest beginnings of professional Lithuanian music at the turn of the century, one cannot disagree. In these circumstances the achievement of Lithuanian composers of the 20th century is all the more worthy of respect. It should not be forgotten that the development of music took place in the situation which was not very advantageous. On the contrary, in this part of the world the 20th century left painful scars on nations and their cultures. Lithuania, after twenty odd years of independence (1918-1940), found itself again under the threat of not only cultural but also physical extermination. And again it was a duty of Lithuanian artists, as well as all the Lithuanian patriots, to join in the struggle to preserve their national identity.