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. 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.
Rūta Skudienė
