Kazimieras Viktoras Banaitis (1896-1963) composed the world of 'Lithuanian idyll' - lyrical, elegiac chamber music, trying to find roots "in the spirit of his own nation; but to keep up with the means of the countries with a higher musical culture". His work shows distinct signs of romanticism and impressionism, a mosaic shape of the compositions. Banaitis graduated from the Leipzig Conservatoire and in Lithuania taught at the Kaunas Conservatoire, was a respected critic and organiser of various events. He wrote a lot of vocal music, arranged folk songs, composed several cantatas. In 1944 he emigrated West and settled in the USA, where he gave private piano lessons and until his death worked on his only opera Jūratė and Kastytis.
Šarūnas Nakas
