Bronius Kutavicius

About the composer

Bronius Kutavicius, born in Lithuania in 1932, is inspired by Lithuanian folklore, mythology and religion for his compositions. In 1970 he astonished  the public with his Pantheistic Oratorio, a composition that did not resemble anything that had been heard before in Lithuania. After that followed a cycle of other oratorios, the Last Pagan Rites (1978), the Jatvingian Stone (1983) and the Tree of the World (1986). These are considered to be highlights of modern Lithuanian music and are described as being highly theatrical and resembling ancient rituals with constantly pulsating rhythms. In his later works Kutavicius turns to other cultures like Japan, American indians and the Celts. This can all be found back in his work The Gates of Jerusalem, which is based on the description of the holy city in the Revelation. The four gates each represent religious rites from different parts of the world, Japanese Gagaku music in the East, a kind of Mass with texts from Karelian rites in the North, melodic patterns from African tribes in the South and the Stabat Mater represents the West.