In the late 30s, Lithuania’s little stage welcomed Stepas Graužinis (1910 – 1985), an original and outstanding musician, who for a number of years was the soul of Kaunas Musical Theatre.
Born in Vilnius, he studied under Antanas Makačinas, led the amateur choirs in Bijutiškis and Giedraičiai. He directed the production of Mikas Petrauskas’ operetta Consilium facultatis in Giedraičiai.
In 1932, Graužinis entered Kaunas Conservatoire, where he studied composition under Juozas Gruodis. He studied singing with Oreste Marini, Eugene Vitting and Petras Oleka.
Since 1934, his singing was heard on little stage and radio broadcasts. He was known as a soloist, member of duets and Jonas Byra Quartet, composer of solo and choral songs, and arranger for vocal ensembles. In 1938, he recorded schlagers and folk songs (with his own piano accompaniment) for Bellakord in Riga, Odeon in Berlin, His Master’s Voice in London; as an accordion duo with Povilas Četkauskas recorded Lithuanian folk dances.
For thirty years Graužinis was associated with Kaunas Musical Theatre: in 1940 he was appointed the choirmaster of a newly established Operetta Theatre, and in 1944 – 1970 he served as the conductor of Kaunas Musical Theatre. He directed and conducted operettas, operas and ballets (35 in all). As a soloist he performed in Kaunas Radiophone and throughout Lithuania, was active as a pedagogue.
Graužinis composed songs for soloists, choir and vocal ensembles.
