Dvarionait, Margarita

Born on May 31, 1928 in Liepaja. She was the second daughter in the family of pianist, organist and tuner Kazimieras and Claudia Dvarionas, the niece of the composer Balis Dvarionas . She began to study music early, the love for which was instilled in her father, who had studied playing the piano at the Petrograd Conservatory. He became her first music teacher, then she studied with her aunt, singer Julia Dvarionayte-Montvidene, and Uncle Balis Dvarionas had a great influence. She studied piano at Kaunas in the music studio of Helena Herbek-Hansen.

In 1943 she made her debut as a pianist in the ballet Juozas Pakalnis “The Bride” and until 1951 she played the piano in the orchestra of the Kaunas Opera Theater and worked as an accompanist . In 1947 she graduated from Kaunas gymnasium, in 1949 - Kaunas Conservatory, piano class Jurgis Karnavičius .

In 1951, she entered the Leningrad Conservatory , where she first learned to play the organ and composition , and later became involved in symphonic conducting under the guidance of Professor I. A. Musin , who had the greatest influence on her. At the Opera Studio of the Leningrad Conservatory, she conducted performances of "Eugene Onegin" by P. Tchaikovsky , " Rigoletto " by G. Verdi and was positively evaluated by the professorship. In 1957 she graduated from the Conservatory with the diploma of a conductor of a symphony orchestra and returned to Lithuania.

She conducted symphony concerts in Vilnius , Kaunas and was soon invited to the Lithuanian State Opera and Ballet Theater , where in 1957—1961. conducted the opera and ballet performances: “Dahl” by B. Dvarionas, “Fra Diavolo” by D. Auber , “Faust” by S. Gounod , “Waiva” by V. Klovy , “Rigoletto” by G. Verdi, “Eugene Onegin” by P. Tchaikovsky, “Egle is the Queen of the Snakes” by E. Balsis , “ Swan Lake ” by P. Tchaikovsky.

In 1961–1993 she was the conductor of the symphony orchestra of the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society , for some time she performed the duties of chief conductor. Under her leadership, the works of Lithuanian composers were performed for the first time: “Passacaglia” and “Lullaby of Ashes” by J. Juzeljunas , 1st symphony by A. Rekasius , 1st symphony by V. Barkauskas , Vilnius Watercolors by V. Paltanavicius . She also performed “The Legend” by Y. Pakalnis, “Prologue” by Y. Gruodisa, and others.

As a pianist, she performed both solo , including works by Lithuanian composers, and in an ensemble with flutist Augustinas Armonas .

In 1969–2000 - Teacher of the Lithuanian Conservatory (now the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theater ), since 1990 - the Kaunas Faculty of the Conservatory.

The conductor activity of M. Dvarionite lasted almost 34 years. She toured in Moscow , Donetsk , Kharkov , Liepaja, Poland .

For almost 50 years, more than 160 of her publications on various topics have appeared in the periodical press , mainly about undeservedly forgotten opera soloists , conductors, composers, architects , and other representatives of the art world who have already passed away. A lot of materials were devoted to her distinguished and unforgettable professor Ilya Aleksandrovich Musin. Often acted in television and radio programs, creative evenings. Over the past few years, she has been preparing a book “A Pinch from the Past and the Present” (portraits of contemporaries, memories, reviews , obituaries ).

Husband - Augustinas Armonas (1922–2017), flutist and teacher.

She died on March 14, 2008 in Vilnius, in her 80th year of life. Buried at Antaklnis cemetery .

For merits in the development of Lithuanian art in 1975, he was awarded the title of Honored Artist of the Lithuanian SSR .

For services to the State of Lithuania in 1998, she was awarded the Order of the Great Lithuanian Prince Gediminas of the 5th degree (Knight's Cross).

• Arias from operas by Lithuanian composers, symphony orchestra of the State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater of the Latvian SSR. Riga Records Factory Ligo, 1959, D-5354
• V. Klova . Arias and scenes from the opera "Waiva". The Symphony Orchestra of the State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater of the Latvian SSR, conductor - M. Dvarionite. Record Company "Melody" , 1959, D-5340
• V. Paltanavičius , “Vilnius Watercolors”. Symphony Orchestra of the State Philharmonic Society of the LSSR, conductor - M. Dvarionayte. Record company "Melody", 1967, 33D-019578
• S. Shaminades , Concertino op. 107; G. Purcell , 2 songs; flute - A. Armonas, piano part - M. Dvarionayte. Record company "Melody", 1968, 33D-23578
• Y. Gruodis . "Dance of Life" and the symphonic prologue. Symphony Orchestra of the State Philharmonic Society of the LSSR, conductor - M. Dvarionayte. Record company "Melody", 1968, 1970, 33 D-022637
• P. Tchaikovsky, Aria Grёmina from the opera “Eugene Onegin”, soloist - Antanas Kuchingis (bass), Lithuanian Radio Symphony Orchestra, conductor - M. Dvarionite. Record company "Melody", 1969, 1990, 33D-24401, 33D-24402
• B. Gorbulskis , Concert for trombone with orchestra. Soloist - S. Palyukas, symphony orchestra of the State Philharmonic Society of the Latvian SSR, conductor - M. Dvarionite. Record company "Melody", 1970, 33D-28809, 33D-28810
• IV Inter-Republican Competition of Young Performers 1972, Vilnius. Symphony Orchestra of the State Philharmonic Society of the LSSR. Record company “Melody”, 1973, 33 CM-03467-68
• Y. Pakalnis , Heroic Overture, Symphony Orchestra of the State Philharmonic Society of the Latvian SSR, conductor - M. Dvarionayte; Y. Pakalnis, Dance with a hoop from the ballet “The Bride” and “Crying”, flute - A. Armonas, piano part - M. Dvarionayte; L. Povilaitis , Sonata for piano op. 4, piano - M. Dvarionaite. Record company "Melody", 1973, 33D-034191, 33D-034192
• Instrumental pieces: A. Ariosti , Sonata for cello and piano. Cello - R. Calnenaite, piano - M. Dvarionaite. The record company "Melody", 1980, C10-14141

• Vytautas Landsbergis . Margarita Dvarionaitė. Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija , T. V (Dis-Fatva). - Vilnius: Mokslo ir enciklopedijų leidybos institutas, 2004. p. 242.
• A film review by director A. Ragyavichene about the first Lithuanian female conductor of the symphony orchestra Margarita Dvarionayte (scriptwriter - A. Ragevichene, cameraman - J. Sesickas). Golden Fund of Lithuanian Radio and Television, 1977. ^[1]

• Margarita Dvariona’s page on the Lithuanian Music Performers Information Center website
• Margarita Dvarionayte. From the “Youthful Diary”
• Information on the website of the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theater
• Mysterious unity. Saying goodbye to Margarita Dvarionayte
• Essay by M. Dvarionayte about the soloist and director of the Kaunas Musical Theater Rostislav Andreev
• M. Dvarionayte. From memories
• About M. Dvarionayt-reviewer
• About M. Dvarionayt-reviewer, continued
• Obituary on the portal DELFI
• Obituary on the website of the Lithuanian National Philharmonic
• Discography