Čiurlionis: Painter and Composer: Collected Essays and Notes, 1906-1989

The following review is by: BALTIC BOOKS

Stasys Gostautas offers a comprehensive edited introduction to and analysis of Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis (1875-1911), the Lithuanian artist and composer who is just now beginning to emerge in the arts consciousness of the West.

Thiry-five essays invite you to get acquainted with the enigmatic Čiurlionis: biographically, through the eyes of a variety of contemporaries, as well as exploring Čiurlionis art and music analytically and in the forces influencing his popularity or in the case of the West, his obscurity.

Čiurlionis had a mystic-spiritual quality. You see it when mentioning his name to any informed Eastern European and especially Lithuanians. His work has a profound impact on the identity of millions of people and in many ways his art and music define the Lithuanian psyche and identity.

This book definitely offers our best opportunity to date for the rest of the world to discover what Lithuanians have known for over 75 years.

I would highly recommend obtaining this book. As with others that illuminate Čiurlionis life, they tend to be difficult to find due to limited printing runs.

Another related great book you should add to your wish list, but unfortunately is out of print right now, is Lansbergis' "M.K. Čiurlionis. Time and Content". This would be the ideal companion to Gostautas' work.

Product details