Giedrius Kuprevičius – a man-orchestra who creates music and performs it himself, fights and makes peace himself, writes publicist, cultural study texts and essays himself.
Giedrius Kuprevičius was bon on April 8, 1944 and graduated from Prof. Eduardas Balsys' composition class at the Lithuanian Academy of Music in 1968. From 1966 to 1975 he taught at Juozas Gruodis Higher School of Music; he was also the head of music faculties at both the Lithuanian Agricultural, and Kaunas University of Technology, taught acting courses at Vilnius University, and organized a music improvisation course at Kaunas Faculty of the Lithuanian Academy of Music.
He taught at the Art Faculty of Vytautas Magnus University during 1990-1999, and in 2000 was appointed deacon of the Art Faculty at Kaunas Technology University; he was responsible for the founding of the Audio and Video Technology Center at this University in 2001, which now also has a Computer Music Club. The composer's numerous contributions to methodological literature include a work entitled "Music in Theatre".
From 1971 to 1982, Giedrius Kuprevičius headed Kaunas branch of the Lithuanian Composers' Union, and from 1980 to 1987 - the Kaunas Musical Theatre's "Argo" electronic music band. He worked as chief editor of music programmes at the Lithuanian Television during 1987-1988. He has played Kaunas carillon since 1957, and in 1998 was appointed the head carillonist of Kaunas City. His official posts included: First Assistant to the Lithuanian Minister of Culture and Executive Head of Artistic Affairs (1988-1990), Kaunas municipality deputy mayor (1992-1993).
The composer has been involved with the Lithuanian press since 1968, and continues to write on music and culture in periodicals Muzikos Barai, Santara, Humanistika, etc. He has published two books of essays: "Backward Years" and "It's Been Said".
Giedrius Kuprevičius takes part in music festivals, conferences and symposia in Lithuania and abroad. His musical, "Fire Hunt and Beaters", was staged in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Russia, the Ukraine, and Moldova. His oratorio, "Creation of the World for the End of the 20th Century", was performed at Kaunas Jazz festival in 1988, global exhibition EXPO-2000 in Hanover, and at an international forum in Vienna. Other works have been heard at concerts in various countries in Europe as well as in America, Australia, and New Zealand.
Giedrius Kuprevičius' music is moderately modern and based mostly on melodic development and augmentation of rhythmic patterns. Many of his works are notably dominated by improvisational element and vivid links with literature and visual arts. The composer also writes much music for theatre and films.
In 2006, Giedrius Kuprevičius became the winner of the Government’s Art Prize.
Giedrius creates much but the portal of the small Kamanė (Bumblebee) is not able to reflect everything; therefore:
- More information about the creative works of G. Kuprevičius – mic.lt
- Everything about G. Kuprevičius – at his website www.giedriuskuprevicius.hmf.ktu.lt
Prepared according to kamane.lt info, mic.lt, giedriuskuprevicius.hmf.ktu.lt