11 Facts About Saulius Sondeckis

Saulius Sondeckis was a Lithuanian violinist, conductor, orchestra leader and professor.

Saulius Sondeckis founded the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra in 1960 and was its artistic director and principal conductor until 2004.

Saulius Sondeckis graduated from the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre as a violinist with Alexander Livontas in 1952 and studied conducting with Igor Markevich.

Saulius Sondeckis became a teacher at the Lithuanian Academy in 1959 and became a professor there in 1976.

In 1960, Saulius Sondeckis founded the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra in 1960 and it gave its first performance on 30 April 1960.

Saulius Sondeckis served as its artistic director and principal conductor until 2004.

Saulius Sondeckis led the St Petersburg State Hermitage Orchestra of St Petersburg from 1989 and from 2005, he has led the Lithuanian Baltic Chamber Orchestra.

Saulius Sondeckis has conducted orchestras in many countries and was an honorary member of the Lithuanian Musicians' Union.

Saulius Sondeckis is one of the most decorated figures in contemporary classical music in Lithuania, including People's Artist of the USSR, a Laureate of the USSR State Award and winner of the Lithuania National Award.

Saulius Sondeckis has served as a jury member of major international competitions, including Mozart in Salzburg, Tchaikovsky in Moscow and the Toscanini Competitions in Parma.

Saulius Sondeckis died on 3 February 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania.