Raciunas, Antanas
Račiūnas, Antanas
Račiūnas, Antanas , significant Lithuanian composer and pedagogue; b. Užliašiai, near Panevézys, Sept. 17, 1905; d. Kaunas, April 3, 1984. He studied composition with J. Gruodis at the Kaunas Cons. (graduated, 1933) and with Boulanger and Koechlin in Paris (1936–39). He taught at the Kaunas Cons. (1933–36; 1939–49) and the Vilnius Cons. (1949–59). In 1965 he was made a People’s Artist of the Lithuanian S.S.R. He wrote and produced the first opera in Lithuanian
Works
DRAMATIC: Opera: 3 Talismen (Kaunas, March 19, 1936); Amber Shore (1940); Matite (1953); Sun City (1965). ORCH.: 9 syms. (1933, 1946, 1951, 1960, 1961, 1966, 1969, 1970, 1974); 4 symphonic poems: Evening in Vilnius (1939), The Secret of Lake Plateliu (1956), Jurgenas and Ramune (1958), and Mother Pirčiupio (1972); Scenes of Lithuania, suite (1955); 3 Pieces (1964); Prelude and Joke (1974); Piano Concerto (1976). CHAMBER: Sonata-Fantasy for Oboe and Piano (1963); Cello Sonatina (1965); Sonata for 2 Pianos (1967); Cello Sonata (1968); Suite for 2 Pianos and Percussion (1973); Triptych for Oboe and Piano (1973); Violin Sonata (1977); solo piano pieces. VOCAL: 2 cantatas (1943, 1949); liberated Lithuania, oratorio (1945); many choruses; songs.
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire