2022–2024
Critical Text and Digital Interactive Database of Čiurlionis‘s Piano Music
Funded by Lithuanian Research Council
Project team: Darius Kučinskas (leader), Rima Povilionienė, Jūratė Bogdanienė, Laimonas Janutas
Abstract:
In response to the exceptionally rapid development of digital humanities in the international space, this interdisciplinary project initiates a critical revision and analysis of the piano repertoire of Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis (1875–1911) based on MEI (Music Encoding Initiative).
The period of editing and publishing Čiurlionis’ music works encompasses more than a hundred years. His individual pieces have been published in 8 to 10 different editorial versions, and the music is catalogued in as many as 5 different types of numbering.
The significance of this research is highlighted by the fact that critical text
and a canonical version of the works, which fulfill the needs of the modern music community, are not yet available for research, education and practical performance/interpretation (on a national and international level).
In this project, over 200 of Čiurlionis’ piano works will be revised and produced, and, for the first time, will be presented in a form of a digital system (an interactive database), including primary sources (autographs and accompanying documents/letters/sketches) and all of the existing editions, connecting them through a specially designed interactive database and applying a unique search algorithm that allows to recognize and compare texts, both as a whole and on the scale of a single bar or individual text element/code.
The research contains graphological, textual and comparative music text analyses, as well as automated data processing methods. Various users will have access to the digital archive and its parts after transcribing and encoding each of Čiurlionis’ piano pieces in XML format and submitting them through the output system of this code. The digital critical text of Čiurlionis’ works with musicological commentaries will be made in Lithuanian and English languages and published on a specially created website/database, initiating its active dissemination and publicity on international MEI platforms.
From the international perspective, the open database of music works initiated in this project will open a wide array of opportunities for the use of research results, lay new ground for further research of Čiurlionis’ music texts, and strengthen the international context of this composer’s legacy as a central figure in modern Lithuanian music.
2017–2019
Microhistory of “The Voices of Spring”: genetic reconstruction of modernization of Lithuanian Texts
Funded by Lithuanian Research Council
Project team: Paulius Subačius (leader), Giedrė Jankevičiūtė, Darius Kučinskas, Elena Pierazzo, Magdalena Slavinska, Jurgita Venckienė
Abstract:
The project targets at a paradoxical gap – although much has been written about Maironis, critics usually heed to the final result of his work only; the permanent improvement of the texts has been analysed once‐over lightly, and without paying attention to the contextual modernization processes, particularly to the dynamics of language standardisation. Author’s decision to re‐edit the sole collection of the verses “The Voices of Spring” go with the methodology of genetic criticism in the best way; this widely used possibility of the analysis of modern literature has not been explored in Lithuania yet. The project aims to carry out a genetic reconstruction, to present the facsimiles, to publish the XML‐encoded versions and commentaries employing a single critical archive, i.e. a comprehensive digital platform, synthesising academic and popularisation functions. This is the latest concept for the development and demonstration of diachronic analysis of multiple texts oriented to the sophisticate software technology.
Project (partial) result:
D. Kučinskas. Musical editions of Maironis (the early period). In Lietuvos katalikų mokslo akademijos Metraštis. 2019, Vol. 42, p. 155-183.
2014–2015
Lithuanian music publishing after 1990
Funded by Lithuanian Research Council
Project team: Darius Kučinskas (head), Asta Bielinskienė, Živilė Časaitė, Julija Paliukėnaitė, Ulrika Varankaitė
Abstract:
Project aimed a) to register all Lithuanian music editions published in 1990-2015; b) to fill in gaps of National data base of Lithuanian Bibliography; c) to research editions from the point of view of musicology and book science; d) to identify main features and tendencies of contemporary Lithuanian music publishing. All types of Lithuanian music editions were taken into account: printed scores, internet publications, editions in Braille. Methodology of library and book sciences as well as musicological method of research were used in the process of inventoring, analysis and research of music editions.
Project results:
Expedition –
During a research expedition in June 20-30, 2015, Asta Bielinskienė and Živilė Časaitė visited and worked in American Lithuanian Cultural Archive (ALKA), Putnam, CT.
Conference presentation –
Časaitė, Živilė. A turning point in publishing Lithuanian sheet music after the restoration of independence (1990-2015). IAML congress, New York, June 21-26, 2015.
Publications –
*Lietuviški natų leidiniai, 1990-2015 m. Bibliografinis sąvadas [Lithuanian music sheet publications, 1990-2015. Bibliographical set]. Collected by A. Bielinskienė, Ž. Časaitė, D. Kučinskas, J. Paliukėnaitė, U. Varankaitė. Kaunas: Technologija, 2016. ISBN 978-609-02-1234-9
*Bielinskienė, Asta; Živilė Časaitė; Julija Paliukėnaitė. Music publication in Lithuania after 1990: a typological analysis. In Fontes Artis Musicae, 2015, Vol 62/2, p. 110-117.
*Kučinskas, Darius. Natų leidyba ir prekyba Kaune po 1990 m. [Sheet music publishing and trade in Kaunas after 1990]. In Lietuvos muzikologija, 2015, Nr. 16, p. 166-173.
*Kučinskas, Darius. Natų leidyba Lietuvoje 1990-2013 metais [Sheet music publishing in Lithuania 1990-2013]. In Knygotyra, 2014, Nr. 62, p. 168-186.
*Kučinskas, Darius. Skaitmeninė natų leidyba ir lietuviška muzika [Digital music publishing and Lithuanian scores]. In Kūrybos erdvės, 2015, Nr. 23, p. 23-34.
*Varankaitė, Ulrika. Lietuviški savadarbiai natų leidiniai [Lithuanian private music sheet editions]. 2015. Web site of Society of Lithuanian Music Teachers.
2013–2014
Urtext editions of M. K. Čiurlionis music
Funded by Lithuanian Research Council
Project team: Darius Kučinskas
Abstract:
The aim of the project is to prepare and to publish an urtext editions of M. K. Čiurlionis music compositions for piano and organ. The need of urtext became obvious after Čiurlionis music spreaded internationaly in the world. Different editions have important odds and different methods of music editing which prevented us to identify interpretational remarks of a composer and of the editor. Urtext editions seek to solve problems related with an understanding of an original text of music compositions.
Project results:
Conference presentations –
* M. K. Čiurlionio muzikos urteksto tyrimai [Research of Čiurlionis‘ music urtexts]. International conference „Čiurlionis and the World“. Druskininkai, July 23-25, 2013.
* Čiurlionis ir šiaurės šalių muzikai [Čiurlionis and composers of Nordic countries]. International conference „Čiurlionis and the World“. Druskininkai, July 28-29, 2014.
Publications –
* Kučinskas, Darius. Čiurlionio muzika: urteksto siekiamybė [Čiurlionis’ music: aspiration of an urtext]. In Čiurlionis and the World. Vilnius, 2020 (in print)
* M. K. Čiurlionis. Compositions for organ. Urtexts and facsimiles. Ed. D. Kučinskas. Kaunas: Technologija, 2014. ISMN 979-0-706152-04-2
* M. K. Čiurlionis. Compositions for piano. Urtexts. Ed. D. Kučinskas. Kaunas: Technologija, 2014. ISMN 979-0-706152-03-5
2011–2012
Statistical research of musical texts
Funded by Lithuanian Research Council
Project team: Darius Kučinskas (head), Edita Besasparytė, Mindaugas Kavaliauskas, Rytis Ambrazevičius
Abstract:
Project aims to analyze features of the musical language of Lithuanian professional instrumental music. Method of probability statistics is applyed. The goal is to analyze music of most important Lithuanian composers and to reveal individual and common features of their rhythmic and melodic aspects, also to define more clearly main characters of Lithuanian national school, specific and general aspects of musical language, sturctures, frequencies and transformations.
Project results:
Organized conference –
1st International conference “Music and technologies”. Kaunas University of Technology, November 10-12, 2011.
Conference presentations –
* Ambrazevičius, Rytis. Acoustical methods in the studies of traditional singing. International conference „Music and technologies”. Kaunas, November 10-12, 2011.
* Kavaliauskas, Mindaugas. Statistical methods for polyphonic music analysis. International conference „Music and technologies”. Kaunas, November 10-12, 2011.
* Kavaliauskas, Mindaugas. Muzikinių duomenų statistinė analizė [Statistical analysis of Music Data]. Conference of Lithuanian Society of Matimaticians. Vilnius, June 16-17, 2011.
* Kavaliauskas, Mindaugas. Statistical research of music. Conference of Lithuanian Society of Matimaticians Klaipėda, June 11-12, 2012.
* Besasparytė, Edita and Kučinskas, Darius. Mikalojaus Konstantino Čiurlionio simfoninės muzikos ritmika. Statistinis tyrimas [Rhythmic of Čiurlionis’ symphonic music. Statistical research]. International conference „Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis (1875-1911): his time and our time“. Vilnius, September 21-24, 2011.
Publications –
Books
* Music and Technologies (Eds. Darius Kučinskas and Stephen Davismoon). Cambridge: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2013. ISBN 1-4438-4213-3.
* Besasparytė, Edita; Kavaliauskas, Mindaugas; Kučinskas Darius. Statistiniai muzikos teksto tyrimai [Statistical research of musical text]. Kaunas: Technologija, 2013. ISBN 978-609-02-0954-7
Articles
* Kavaliauskas, Mindaugas. Muzikinių duomenų statistinė analizė [Stastistical analysis of Music Data]. In Lietuvos matematikos rinkinys, LMD darbai. 2011, Vol 52, p. 208-213.
* Kavaliauskas, Mindaugas. Klasterizavimo panaudojimas muzikinių duomenų statistinėje analizėje [Application of clustering in statistical analysis of music data]. In Lietuvos matematikos rinkinys, LMD darbai. 2012, Vol. 53, p. 78-83.
* Besasparytė, Edita and Kučinskas, Darius. Statistinė muzikos ritmo analizė. Čiurlionio simfoninė muzika [Statistical analysis of musical rhythmic. Čiurlionis‘s sympfonic music]. In Kūrybos erdvės. 2011, Nr. 15, p. 8-17.
* Besasparytė, Edita and Kučinskas, Darius. Statistinė muzikos ritmo analizė. Lietuvių kompozitorių kūriniai styginių kvartetui [Statistical analysis of musical rhythmic. Compositions for a string quartet by Lithuanian composers]. In Kūrybos erdvės. 2013, Nr. 18, p. 8-18.
* Besasparytė, Edita and Kučinskas, Darius. Testing computational methods in rhythmic research of a musical score. In Music and technologies. Cambridge: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2013, p. 99-112.
2010–2012
Lithuanian music for pianola
Funded by Lithuanian research Council
Project team: Darius Kučinskas (head), Rimantas Astrauskas
Abstract:
The project aims to analyze Lithuanian music recordings for pianola (mechanical piano). The presence of such records is practically unknown in Lithuania, they have not been investigated and do not function in any form in the Lithuanian musicology and the perception of musical culture in Lithuania. However, the information at hand gives a suggestion, that the Lithuanian records for pianola have captured a unique period of the musical life of the Lithuanian diaspora in the USA at the beginning of the 20th century, that could be investigated on the basis of authentic audio material. The most unique among the records are the examples of the Lithuanian folk music (vocal music transcriptions and instrumental music) and the first music compositions of Lithuanian composers.
Project results:
Expedition –
During a research expedition in May 15-26, 2012, Darius Kučinskas visited and worked in Lithuanian archives in US: American Lithuanian Cultural Archive (ALKA), Putnam, CT; Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture, Chicago, IL; Žilevičius-Kreivėnas Lithuanian Musicological Archive, Chicago, IL.
Conference presentations –
Publications –
Compact disc
Lietuviška muzika pianolai [Lithuanian music for pianola]. CD and catalogue. Played by Bob Berkman. Annotations by Rimantas Astrauskas and Darius Kučinskas. Kaunas: Technologija, 2010. KTU001.
Books
* Astrauskas, Rimantas and Kučinskas, Darius. Lietuviška muzika pianolai. Antologija [Lithuanian music for pianola. Anthology]. Kaunas: Technologija, 2013. ISBN 978-609-02-0830-4.
* Kučinskas, Darius. Lietuviška muzika pianolai. Pilnas katalogas [Lithuanian music for pianola. Complete catalogue]. +7CDs. Kaunas, 2014. ISBN 978-9955-03-907-5.
Articles
* Kučinskas, Darius. Lietuviška muzika pianolai. Šaltiniai ir katalogas. In Lietuvos muzikologija. 2010, Vol. 11, p. 139-151.
* Astrauskas, Rimantas. Muzika pianolai: įvairių tautų muzikinio bendradarbiavimo aspektai išeivijoje [Music for Pianola: aspects of international musical cooperation in exile]. In Tautosakos darbai. 2012, Vol. 44, p. 187-206.
* Kučinskas, Darius. Pianolos lietuviškos muzikos įrašai ir jų sklaida JAV [Pianola recors of Lithuanian music and their spread in the United States of America]. In Kūrybos erdvės. 2013, Vol. 19, p. 8-22.
2006–2008
Development of qualifications of music teachers
Funded by EU 6FP (BPD 2 priority „Human resources“ 2.4 action of LLL)
Local coordinator: Darius Kučinskas