ALGIRDAS MARTINAITIS

The creative field of Algirdas Martinaitis, one of the most prominent contemporary Lithuanian composers, includes various symphonic, chamber and vocal genres, as well as music for drama productions and films. The composer favours lyrical, meditative and theatrical melodies. His Unfinished Symphony, composed in 1995, enjoys great popularity. It reminds a dedication to Franz Schubert by freely shadowing the two movements of his Eighth (Unfinished) Symphony. Only Martinaitis’ score is a completed work. “In Unfinished I seem to remember the beginning of the seventies… This is yet another work of mine, written ‘from hand’, without preparation, without theme, without notes, without home, without orchestra…Thinking about the world “as if passing by”, without meaning, without trust, but with love… Turning from my favourite new animality (Danse macabre, Abaddon, Seven Animality Commandments, etc.) towards the eroticism of Innocent thirds (both Major and minor)… Seeing and hearing, but not touching people and their reality … distanced, but with excitement …”, the author shared his thoughts about the work.

One of Martinaitis’ most successful compositions is performed by the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of maestro Modestas Pitrėnas.