SACRALITY IN THE CONCEPT OF BALTIC IDENTITY

Abstract

The concept of sacrality is universal in music and the visual arts, and can be considered to be a light in the dark, deeply connected with the image of Baltic identity. The basic motif is concerned with “ fighting the dark”, resistance and archetypes from long ago. The power of its impulse is inspiring, rising from the depths to another space, including the Enlightening, freedom and cycles of life. As expressed in the form of music, we have a so-called processual dramaturgy. It has been developed through employing a step by step thickening process as dramatic expression of minimalism and visualizing the roads of pilgrimage to holy places, which are roads to eternal sacrality. This image has taken a powerful and inspiring “route” throughout many musical works, and is found in their dramaturgy and the particular organ works of Baltic composers such as “Ad patres” (1984) by B. Kutavičius, “Borobudur” (1978) by G. Kuprevičius, “The Prayer for Lithuania” (1980) by T. Makačinas, “The Field” (1984) by I. Zemzaris, “Trivium” (1976) by A. Pärt, “Via dolorosa” (1992) by A. Kalejs, “The Prayer” (2000) by J. Tamulionis, “Campi lugentes” (2008) by G. Sakalauskas, and others. The search for sacrality and purity in this image is transformative minimalism, what visualises a feeling of free space, emerging as a light in the music, found in the new Baltic identity. It is important to note that the concept of Baltic identity in music is based on an analogy involving a road of archetypes proceeding from darkness to light, while the thickening impulses resulting from the monotony of the rhythms provide movement full of power to develop the emerging identification of Self. Images of the road of Self are described similar to the processions of pilgrims ascending to the top of a temple or a pyramid and the vertical curve of a mountain, with all experience reaching towards light and transcendence. The concept of Baltic identity is based on the idea of an eternal return to home. The images and visions involved with this procession of pilgrims have inspired many organ works by Baltic composers, along with the geometry of the Enlightening.