LTMąstydami apie neabejotinai vieną iškiliausių visos ligšiolinės lietuvių muzikos istorijos reiškinių - nepriklausomos Lietuvos muzikos kultūros fenomeną - neišvengiamai ieškome faktorių, galėjusių vienaip ar kitaip sąlygoti tokią nelauktą talentų gausą ir tokį neįtikėtinai spartų muzikų profesionalumo subrendimą dar tik besiformuojančios tautinės kultūros kontekste. Pora reikšmingų momentų kelyje į ankstyvą lietuvių muzikos kultūros suklestėjimą buvo amžių sandūroje gyvavusios Rietavo ir Plungės muzikos mokyklos, įkurtos ir puoselėtos dviejų brolių kunigaikščių - Bogdano ir Mykolo Oginskių [p. 199].
ENThe publication, with the help of archival material not published before, acquaints with the activities of two famous patrons of the end ofthe XIXth - begining of the XXth centuries, the princes Bogdanas (1848-1909) and Mykolas (18491902) Oginskis, related to the orchestras set by them in Rietavas and Plunge. The orchestras that existed for almost three decades and preparatory musical schools that functioned parallel to them are significant to the Lithuanian musical culture in several aspects. They were established following the example of representational traditions of the noble, thus preserving the traditions of musical culture of Lithuanian manors. The professional standards of the orchestras and schools were sufficiently high to mention them as important phenomena of musical life. Many prominent Lithuanian musicians were trained there who later successfully worked in the domains of music of the restored Lithuanian state. An attempt is made, by putting very fragmentary historical data into a harmonious whole, to reveal the atmosphere of these musical centres, as well as the lines of activities, professional level, and repertory of the musicians. As far as musical matters are concerned, the screen covering spiritual life of the princes is put up and their personality traits arc looked at. Facts on musical education and likings of the brothers as well as their participation in the activities of the orchestras and schools are presented.