Background
Dvarionas, Balis was born on June 19, 1904 in Libava (now Liepaia), Latvia.
Dvarionas, Balis was born on June 19, 1904 in Libava (now Liepaia), Latvia.
Studied musical theory from 1918. Studied musical theory from 1918. Pupil of A. Kalnyn’. Pupil of R. Teichmuller, S. Krell, Z. Karg-Elert. Graduated in conducting from the Leipzig Conservatory as an external student, 1939.
His musicial training began at the age of 6. Musician with the local cinema at the age of 10. Directed a voluntary youth orchestra, 1916-1918.
Received further musical education at the Leipzig Conservatory, 1920. Pursued piano studies in Berlin under E. Petri, 1925-1926. Taught at the Kaunas Music School 1926-1932, and at the Kaunas Conservatory from 1933.
Conductor of the Kaunas Symphony Orchestra, 1936-1938. Conductor of the Vilnius State Philharmonic, 1940-1941. Professor at the Vilnius Conservatory from 1947, at the same time chief conductor of the Philharmonic, 1958-1961.
Made several appearances as a concert pianist in the USSR, Germany, France, and Sweden. His music shows realistic tendencies. Wrote an opera, music for a ballet, music for strings, music for Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and Othello, etc.