Raminta Šerkšnytė
Raminta Šerkšnytė
Person from Lithuania
Genres: composer, contemporary classical, lithuanian, instrumental, baltic
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About Raminta Šerkšnytė
Raminta Šerkšnytė (b.1975) studied piano (under Prof. Rymantė Šerkšnytė), music theory and composition at the J. Naujalis Gymnasium of Music in Kaunas in 1982-1994. In 1994-2000 she studied composition at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre under Prof. Osvaldas Balakauskas. In 1997-2007 Šerkšnytė attended numerous masterclasses for composers in Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, France, Latvia and Great Britain, where she studied with Louis Andriessen, György Kurtag, Helmut Lachenmann, Magnus Lindberg, Ole Lützow-Holm, Pascal Dusapin, Brian Ferneyhough, and others. Raminta Šerkšnytė's oeuvre is dominated by neo-romantic idiom, enriched with some features of minimalism, sonorism, jazz, folk and avantgarde music; in her compositions the constructive principles of Western music are pervaded with Eastern contemplativeness and subtlety. She composes mostly for orchestra, chamber ensembles, also incidental music for drama performances and music for children. A great amount of expression, colourful imagery and strong communicative ability are characteristic of her music; the composer pays much attention to the dramatic development, dynamics of form, and the matters of instrumentation. One can feel a broad spectrum of certain states of mind - kind of musical archetypes - emanating in Šerkšnytė's music: from the calm meditation (Aurei Regina Caeli), and nostalgic, melancholic moods (Adieu) to dramatic expression (De profundis) and outbursts of vital energy (Vortex). On the other hand, many of her compositions tend to colourful soundscapes seemingly inspired by the exalted reflection of nature (Mountains in the Mist; Almond Blossom). In her own words, a composition is a certain uplifted state of mind, materialized by means of sounds, and its impressiveness depends on the composer's technical mastery. In 1995 her composition Misterioso for two flutes and double bass was awarded 1st Prize at the Juozas Gruodis Composers' Competition. Šerkšnytė was twice awarded the prize for the best chamber work (Oriental Elegy for string quartet, 2003; Almond Blossom for chamber ensemble, 2006) at the competition organized by the Lithuanian Composers' Union. In 2005 she was awarded the Gold Stage Cross (as the best theatre composer in Lithuania), and the prize for young artists of the Lithuanian Ministry of Culture. In the same year her composition Vortex for violin solo and large ensemble was awarded at the UNESCO's International Rostrum of Composers in Wien, and was also selected among the finalists of the Gaudeamus Prize (Amsterdam). In 2007 the composer received the Mūzų Malūnas Prize for her achievement in music. In 2008 she was awarded the Lithuanian National Arts and Culture Prize. Raminta Šerkšnytė participates regularly as a composer and pianist at the contemporary music events. Her compositions have been performed in more than 30 countries in Europe, Asia, Americas and Australia, including such venues as Vienna Musikverein, Berlin Philharmonie, Lincoln Center (New York), Glenn Gould Studio (Toronto), Moscow Conservatory Great Hall, etc. Šerkšnytė's music was featured by many festivals around the globe, among them - ISCM World New Music Days (Zagreb, Hong Kong and Vilnius), Gaudeamus Music Week (Amsterdam), New Paths in Music (New York), Klangspuren (Tyrol), Vilnius Festival, Gaida (Vilnius), and others. Her compositions found their way in the repertoire of such prominent performers as violinist Irvine Arditti and the Arditti Quartet (Great Britain), Strasbourg Percussionists (France), Kroumata (Sweden), Asko Ensemble (The Netherlands), Stavanger Symphony Orchestra (Norway), Kremerata Baltica, Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, and many others. Raminta Šerkšnytė's oeuvre is dominated by neo-romantic idiom, enriched with some features of minimalism, sonorism, jazz, folk and avantgarde music; in her compositions the constructive principles of Western music are pervaded with Eastern contemplativeness and subtlety. She composes mostly for orchestra, chamber ensembles, also incidental music for drama performances and music for children. A great amount of expression, colourful imagery and strong communicative ability are characteristic of her music; the composer pays much attention to the dramatic development, dynamics of form, and the matters of instrumentation. One can feel a broad spectrum of certain states of mind - kind of musical archetypes - emanating in Šerkšnytė's music: from the calm meditation (Aurei Regina Caeli), and nostalgic, melancholic moods (Adieu) to dramatic expression (De profundis) and outbursts of vital energy (Vortex). On the other hand, many of her compositions tend to colourful soundscapes seemingly inspired by the exalted reflection of nature (Mountains in the Mist; Almond Blossom). In her own words, a composition is a certain uplifted state of mind, materialized by means of sounds, and its impressiveness depends on the composer's technical mastery.
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