New Masterclass 2023

take place in Prague

12th - 22th of August

Summer Prague Festival

Varna

Donaldas Račys /piano

Donaldas Račys

DONALDAS RAČYS

Donaldas Račys was born in Šiauliai, where he started playing piano. He continued his studies at Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis Art School (under E. M. Šernienė and A. Jurgelionis). As a pupil he became a laureate of numerous national and international piano competitions. Among the most notable: Usti nad Labem (1982, 1st prize), Jaunųjų atlikėjų konkursas in Vilnius (1987, 1st prize), the Piano Competition in Riga (1987, 3rd prize).

Mr. Račys studied at the Moscow State P. Tchaikovsky Conservatory under Prof. V. Kastelski and Prof. L. Dedova.

The pianist gave solo concerts in Germany, Italy, The United States of America, Denmark, Poland and China. He had made recordings with the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra at the Lithuanian Radio, played a recital on an occasion of diplomatic relations’ restoration between Lithuania and Poland.

Mr. Račys has twice received a scholarship from the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania for his concert activities.

Besides his solo music activities, Donaldas is sough-after pedagogue, whose students have been awarded in many international piano competitions, such as Roma Piano Competition, Malta Valletta Piano Competition, The Magnus Competition etc. Donaldas is much in demand as a jury member in national and international competitions. Moreover, he gives frequent masterclasses in Lithuania, Poland, Italy, and China.

Mr. Račys is the head of the piano department at the Vytautas Magnus University Music Academy and a teacher at the national M. K. Čiurlionis Art School. Every year Donaldas, alongside his students, prepares a concert project for special anniversary: in 2017 his students performed concerts in Lithuania and Poland playing all the S. Rachmaninoff Etudes-tableaux, in 2018 they performed all C. Debussy Preludes, and in 2021 - lesser-known F. Liszt pieces.