Mindaugas Piečaitis
Encyclopedia
Mindaugas Piečaitis is a Lithuania
n composer
and conductor
who has worked with several major Lithuanian musical organizations. He gained international attention as the composer and conductor of a chamber orchestra piece featuring a performance by Nora
, a cat who plays the piano
.
On 5 June 2009 the chamber piece was performed publicly by the Klaipėda Chamber Orchestra
. (Klaipėda
is Piecaitis' home town.)
, Piečaitis graduated from its M. K. Čiurlionis School of Arts in 1987. He received diplomas in Choir Conducting, Orchestra Conducting, and Symphony – Opera Conducting from the Lithuanian Academy of Music during the 1990s. Since then he has worked in staging and conducting performances at the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre
, the Kaunas Music Theater, the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra
, and the Klaipėda Musical Theater. He is currently the conductor of the Klaipėda Chamber Orchestra
.
Piečaitis is notable for his innovative approach to classical music, and for supporting young musicians in their careers and including them in his performances.
in 2010.
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
n composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
who has worked with several major Lithuanian musical organizations. He gained international attention as the composer and conductor of a chamber orchestra piece featuring a performance by Nora
Nora (cat)
Nora is a gray tabby cat, rescued from a shelter in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, who has become famous for "tapping" the piano. The Times of London, in its online edition, characterized her music as being "something halfway between Philip Glass and free jazz."Nora was named after the artist Leonora...
, a cat who plays the piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
.
Klaipėda Chamber Orchestra
Klaipėda Chamber Orchestra is a chamber orchestra in the Lithuanian city of Klaipėda. It was founded in 1992 by violist Liuda Kuraitienė, who remained orchestra's artistic director. In June 2009, she was succeeded by cellist Mindaugas Bačkus. Over the years, the orchestra delivered over 400...
. (Klaipėda
Klaipeda
Klaipėda is a city in Lithuania situated at the mouth of the Nemunas River where it flows into the Baltic Sea. It is the third largest city in Lithuania and the capital of Klaipėda County....
is Piecaitis' home town.)
Biography
Born in VilniusVilnius
Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania, and its largest city, with a population of 560,190 as of 2010. It is the seat of the Vilnius city municipality and of the Vilnius district municipality. It is also the capital of Vilnius County...
, Piečaitis graduated from its M. K. Čiurlionis School of Arts in 1987. He received diplomas in Choir Conducting, Orchestra Conducting, and Symphony – Opera Conducting from the Lithuanian Academy of Music during the 1990s. Since then he has worked in staging and conducting performances at the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre
Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre
200px|thumb|Theatre buildingLithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre is an opera house and ballet theatre in Vilnius, Lithuania. It was built in 1974.-Opera:...
, the Kaunas Music Theater, the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra
Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra
The Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra is one of Lithuania's two national orchestras, founded in 1988. The other, the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1940....
, and the Klaipėda Musical Theater. He is currently the conductor of the Klaipėda Chamber Orchestra
Klaipėda Chamber Orchestra
Klaipėda Chamber Orchestra is a chamber orchestra in the Lithuanian city of Klaipėda. It was founded in 1992 by violist Liuda Kuraitienė, who remained orchestra's artistic director. In June 2009, she was succeeded by cellist Mindaugas Bačkus. Over the years, the orchestra delivered over 400...
.
Piečaitis is notable for his innovative approach to classical music, and for supporting young musicians in their careers and including them in his performances.
CATcerto
Piečaitis wrote his first musical composition, CATcerto, after receiving emails about Nora. Her owners replied to his request for video footage; Piečaitis and the Chamber Orchestra first performed the piece on June 5, 2009. A little over four minutes long, it was widely broadcast on the Internet. A second live performance was staged at the Hot Springs Music FestivalHot Springs Music Festival
The Hot Springs Music Festival is a not-for-profit educational music festival held in Hot Springs, Arkansas. During the first two weeks of June, "pre-professional" musicians join professional mentor musicians in performance of concert music. There are approximately 4 orchestral concerts and...
in 2010.
External links
- http://www.cultureartfact.org/index.php?tid=10&sid=34&aid=136
- http://www.thefreelibrary.com/The+Klaipeda+Chamber+Orchestra+on+June+5+performed+a+piece+called...-a0204209728
- http://www.koncertusale.lt/en/creative_activity/art_collectives/klaipeda_chamber_orchestra/
- "Catcerto" may be viewed at http://www.catcerto.com/.