Gustav Ernesaks

This article is about the composer and choir conductor. For the weightlifter, see Gustav Ernesaks (weightlifter).
Gustav Ernesaks
Born (1908-12-12)12 December 1908
Perila, Estonia
Died 24 January 1993(1993-01-24) (aged 84)
Tallinn, Estonia
Occupation Composer, conductor
Years active 1930-1993
Spouse(s) Stella Merjam
Statue of Gustav Ernesaks during XXVI Estonian Song Celebration.

Gustav Ernesaks (12 December 1908 – 24 January 1993) was an Estonian composer and a choir conductor.

Ernesaks was born in Perila, Peningi Parish. He played an integral role in the Singing Revolution and was one of the father figures of the Estonian Song Festival tradition. One of his songs, set to Lydia Koidula's poem Mu isamaa on minu arm, became an unofficial national anthem during the years of Soviet occupation. He was also the composer of the Anthem of Estonian SSR used between 1945 and 1990.

Erneskas was married in 1935 to Stella Merjam. She preceded him in death in 1973. He died in Tallinn, aged 84. They had three sons: Ott Ernesaks, Jüri Ernesaks and Peep Ernesaks. A statue of him was erected in 2004 on the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds.

Gustav Ernesaks' grave at Metsakalmistu cemetery.

Honours and awards

Soviet Union
Estonia


This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 8/14/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.