The tradition of instrumental music in Lithuania Minor
Written sources signify that in the territory of Lithuania Minor self-made as well as purchased instruments have been used since the 16th century. Prussian Lithuanians used kanklės, trumpets, hornpipes (birbynės), drums, whistles, fiddles, jaw harps, and later cymbals, zithers, psalteries and other string instruments as well as wood and brass wind instruments in community and family rituals and entertainments; they played song tunes, dances and accompanied religious hymns. Undergoing various transformations, this Lietuvininkai tradition of music-making lasted until the mid-20th century. After the WWII, the settlers who moved to Klaipėda region brought their own musical traditions with them, and as the number of local inhabitants decreased, the old repertoire and style of playing was nearly forgotten.
The tradition of music-making in Lithuania Minor began to be revived in the 1970-80s, when Antanas Butkus, a researcher and maker of historical musical instruments, reconstructed the musical instruments of Lithuania Minor: the kanklės-harp, psalterium, horn-trumpet, whistle, etc. Other masters followed in his footsteps, and soon the folklore ensembles of Klaipėda city and district, Šilutė district, Neringa Municipality, and folklore ensembles of other regions of Lithuania began to play these musical instruments. Based on scientific research, written sources and ethnographic material as well as experimentation, the ensembles have been recreating the tradition of music-making of Lithuania Minor for more than three decades. Musical instruments are used to accompany songs and Evangelical religious hymns, to play tunes of songs, dances and circle dances found in East Prussian German publications and the notes of 20th-century expeditions in the Klaipėda region. The manner of playing of soloists and ensembles is quite individual – the character depends on the mode of the tune, its metrical structure, and the context of performance.
Historical data, producing of musical instruments, resourcefulness and rich practical knowledge of traditional music-making enable carrying on the culture of Lithuania Minor region, symbol of which is restoration and preservation of the tradition of music-making. The professional ensemble leaders and musicians prompt the creation of original compositions, performances of which involve classical, jazz and electronic music performers.
Submission by – Klaipėda City Municipality Centre of Ethnic Culture, 2022
Tradition bearers – folklore ensembles, individual musicians, makers of musical instruments of Klaipėda region