Antanas Jasenka

Biography Antanas Jasenka (b.1965) studied piano at the K?dainiai Music School (finishing in 1981), and the Juozas Gruodis College of Music in Kaunas (finishing in 1986). His further studies include composition classes of Algimantas Kubili?nas (1983-1986) and Osvaldas Balakauskas (1989-1991). In 1994 he graduated from the Lithuanian Academy of Music, composition class of Vytautas Lauru?as. Antanas Jasenka's works can be heard at the Lithuanian contemporary music festivals (Jauna muzika, Gaida) as well as abroad: at the Second International Youth Music Forum in Kiev (1993)...

Antanas Jasenka (b.1965) studied piano at the K?dainiai Music School (finishing in 1981), and the Juozas Gruodis College of Music in Kaunas (finishing in 1986). His further studies include composition classes of Algimantas Kubili?nas (1983-1986) and Osvaldas Balakauskas (1989-1991). In 1994 he graduated from the Lithuanian Academy of Music, composition class of Vytautas Lauru?as.

Antanas Jasenka's works can be heard at the Lithuanian contemporary music festivals (Jauna muzika, Gaida) as well as abroad: at the Second International Youth Music Forum in Kiev (1993), Eurocarillon Music Festival in Lion (1993, 1996), MaerzMusik in Berlin (2003), Artacts in St. Johann (Austria, 2003), Personanongrata in P?rnu (Estonia, 2005), Turning Sounds 3 in Warsaw (2005), Audio Art in Warsawa (2006), Sonic Circuits in Washington and New York (2007).

In 1994 the composer was honoured with the prize "Tyla" (Silence) for the work "?ryas", in 1995 with the second prize of the Lithuanian Music Foundation for the work "Ancient Songs", in 1998 with the second prize for the work "Ambient" at the competition organized by the Lithuanian F.Schubert Society. In 2002 he was awarded the prize for the best electro-acoustic work ("Deusexmachina") at the composers' competition organized by the Lithuanian Composers' Union.

Antanas Jasenka is a member of the Lithuanian Composers' Union and the Lithuanian Interdisciplinary Art Creators' Association. The composer has participated in a number of projects with such internationally acclaimed artists as Ralf Wehowsky, Jim O'Rourke, Brume, Achim Wollscheid, Toshiya Tsunoda, John Duncan, Ryoji Ikeda, John Watermann, Merzbow, The Hafler Trio, Artemiy Artemiev, as well as with Lithuanian artists Raimondas Eimontas, Darius ?iuta, Atrac, Orlandas Naru?is, ad_OS, D?iugas Katinas, Skaidra Jan?ait?, PB8, and others. His music was released by different labels in Russia, USA, the Netherlands, Canada, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Belgium, England, France, Poland, and Lithuania.

Antanas Jasenka explores many different areas of music from acoustic compositions, theatre and film music, to advanced experimental, conceptual art, electronic music. The work of Antanas Jasenka disclose several stages and their priorities. Compositions written in 1990-1993 witness a penchant for oriental themes and sources. In the works of this period - "Hare Krsna", "Paramatma", "Rasa-L?l?", "?ryas", and others - he does not accept the musical idiom of Oriental cultures directly. Here Oriental music is rather an impulse for structure of the work. These compositions are marked by a strict structure, a constructive modelling of sounds, their intensity, and the patterns of rhythm.

His first electronic pieces composed in 1992-1998 were recorded on a very simple equipment. The author used cut-off, tape mix and collage techniques to create imaginary soundscapes. Starting from "h3ORaj", he gradually discovered his own style and sound, although still using cut-off, mix-up techniques and supplementing them with digitally generated tones.