12/12/1908, Perila, Estland, Russian Empire - 24/01/1993, Tallinn, Estonia
Estonian composer, choral conductor and teacher. Studied composition and music pedagogy at the Tallinn Conservatory (classes of Yu. Aavika and A. Kappa), since 1937 taught there (since 1945 – professor). In 1942-1944, he was the head of the State Ensembles of Estonia, an association of evacuated Estonian cultural figures gathered in Yaroslavl. Organizer (1944), artistic director and chief conductor of the Estonian Men's Choir (until 1975). Chief conductor of Estonian singing festivals (since 1947). He is the author of several operas, over 300 works for chorus, music for plays and films. The author of the music of the anthem of the Estonian SSR. People's Artist of the USSR (1956).
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