| Year of Composition: | 1974 |
| Duration: | 12'30 |
| Instrumentation: | str[3.2.2.2.1]-pf-tape(folk singer-satb) |
| Samples: |  Score |
Dedicated to the 100th anniversary of birth of Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis
Programme note
Dzūkian Variations for chamber orchestra and recording (1974) is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of birth of M. K. Čiurlionis, the great Lithuanian classical composer and painter. The theme for the variations is Lithuanian folk song from the Dzūkija ethnographic region, Beauštanti aušrelė (The Dawn Is Breaking). The whole composition is framed by two versions of the same song: the initial theme, sung by female folk singer, and Čiurlionis’ arrangement for four-voice choir in the final variation (recording may be used in both cases). Each
variation gives a rhythmic, textural and dynamic stimulus for the next one. After the main climax, before the coda and entrance of choir, new motive is introduced – another folk song Bėkit, bareliai (Stretch Away, Fields) which was also used by Čiurlionis in his compositions.
Published scores:
Leningrad: Sovetskij kompozitor, 1978
Vilnius: Lithuanian Music Information and Publishing Centre, MILC 078, 2008
Released recordings:
LP "Bronius Kutavičius. Kamerinė muzika" from the series "Composers from Soviet Lithuania", Melodiya C10-12535-6, 1979 (perf. Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra, conductor Saulius Sondeckis, Kaunas State Choir, conductor Petras Bingelis, soloist Veronika Janulevičiūtė-Povilionienė; sound director Vytautas Bičiūnas)
CD Lithuanian Musicians' Union LMSMBCD-021, 2001 (excerpts)
