Cello
Mindaugas Bačkus (b. 1973) studied cello with Prof. R. Armonas at the Lithuanian Academy of Music in 1991 – 1998. While at the Academy he played in the World Youth Orchestra (1992), participated in the Festival of Youth Chamber Ensembles and Orchestras in Murcia (Spain, 1993), attended master classes for chamber ensembles and cello soloists in Sweden (1994); together with D. Rubinas (double-bass) he had several recitals in Lithuania and Germany (1995), participated in master classes for chamber ensembles held by Jeunesses Musicales in Weikersheim, Germany (1996, with Prof. Rudolf Gleissner and Prof. Henry Mayer). In 1998, Bačkus participated in master classes for cello soloists in Holland (International Holland Music Sessions), performed during open master lessons held by David Geringas in Vilnius.
In 1997, Mindaugas Bačkus participated in The First International Warsaw Cello Competition, and in 1998, in Liezen International Österreich Cello Competition. In 1999, the performer joined the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, where he studied with such international celebrities as Prof. Ralph Kirshbaum and Prof. Karine Georgian. While at the college, he had several solo recitals in Scotland and England.
In 2000, the cellist participated in the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, USA. There he performed together with such musicians as the pianists John O’Connor and Boris Berman, guitarist Eliot Fisk, and Tokyo and Vermeer string quartets. In 2001, as a member of the chamber orchestra Kremerata Baltica M. Bačkus toured Japan and South Korea. The same year he won the right to play solo together with the Royal College of Music Symphony Orchestra and performed Symphony-Concerto for Cello and Orchestra by S. Prokofiev.
In 1993 – 96, Mindaugas Bačkus was a member of the Vilnius Chamber Orchestra (conducted by Donatas Katkus) and the principal cello at the International Baltic Youth Orchestra (conducted by Jonas Aleksa). As a member of the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra (conducted by Jehudi Menuhin), Bačkus toured Greece, Finland and France. Since 1996, the musician was a member of the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra becoming principal cello of the orchestra in 1998. Since 2002, Mindaugas Bačkus has been a member of the Chordos string quartet. He has been performing as a soloist and in chamber ensembles together with the percussionist Pavelas Giunteris, the violinist Martynas Švėgžda von Beker and the pianist Daumantas Kirilauskas. Bačkus took part in Gaida, Vilniaus Rotušės (Vilnius City Hall), Marių klavyrai and Jauna Muzika (Young Music) festivals.