Jurgis Karnavicius

Full biography Jurgis Karnavicius

Jurgis Karnavicius was a Lithuanian composer who was born on April 23, 1884, and died on December 22, 1941. He began his creative career in the early 20th century and wrote his most significant works in Lithuania. Karnavicius is considered a forerunner of the development of Lithuanian operatic works and was a member of the Lithuanian Composers' Union. He studied composition at the Kaunas Conservatory with Juozas Gruodis , another notable Lithuanian composer.

Karnavicius wrote a variety of classical music, including opera, piano pieces, and string quartets. He is known for his expressive and modern style, particularly in his later quartets. Karnavicius' works were groundbreaking in their departure from the traditional string quartet genre and their establishment of completely new musical forms.

Despite his contributions to Lithuanian classical music, Karnavicius struggled as a young composer and it took him six months to write his first sonata. He worked tirelessly from morning to dusk on the piece, demonstrating his dedication to his craft.

Today, Karnavicius' music lives on through his compositions and recordings of his works. His legacy continues to inspire and influence modern-day composers, particularly in Lithuania.