Minimalistiniai sąskambiai : Zigmo Virkšo vokalinė-instrumentinė kūryba

Abstract

In the context of rational art of Lithuania in the second half of the 20th century the oeuvre of the Lithuanian composer Zigmas Virkšas (1946-2001) is distinguished for the expression of romantic and lyric attitude associated with the Lithuanian themes. The authentictie with the Lithuanian cultural tradition is clearly felt in his oeuvre. Subjective lyricism dominates in the main works of Virkšas; the principles of artistic thought associate with spiritual introversion, with continence that is natural to the Lithuanian ethnic attitude and also with motifs of nature dominating in the ethnic tradition. The deeply felt Lithuanian themes reflecting the faiths of the Balts, historical events, love for the native land, and the idea of unity of man and nature dominate in the majority of Virkšas' works. The shapes of psychic states of man and the Lithuanian nature (sun, night, grass, bird, sea, river, cuckoo, evening, mind, silence, love, etc.) obtain the meaning of exalted poetical generalization and deep symbolic signification in the music. Poetic and non-traditional names of the works inspire associations, outline ideas, indefinite states, and leed nicely to the world of visions leaving unrest ricted freedom for fancy. The inner dynamism of the movement is the exclusive feature of Virkšas' vocal-instrumental music. In order to express poetic or ethnic notion and idea the composer prefers the method of contemplative, continuing, permanent, meditative states to the method of dramatic and conflicting development. Outwardly restrained monological music of lambent immobility is being created. However, an intense and arduous move proceeds in the depth of this permanent musical movement that is strengthened by spontaneous improvisations, impressions, poetical visions, and the feeling of the flow of time. The main musical category of development in the majority of works is the principle based on repetition of various musical segments associated with individually treated esthetics of the minimalistic art. Virkšas composed many of his works using minimal musical expression tools (few sounds, even rhythm, tight range, etc.) and repetitive technique. Rhythmical monotony is an extremely important element of musical develop ment. These features are related with the attributes of the most archaic Lithuanian music (esp. glee).