Gustav Ernesaks, birth centenary of the composer and choir conductor

The Estonia Post issued the personalise stamp series on the first January 2008 that features Gustav Ernesaks. Gustav Ernesaks was an Estonian composer and a choir conductor. The issued stamp is only one stamp  depicted him was in conducting action and one First Day Cover.

Gustav Ernesaks was born on 12 December 1908 at Perila near Tallinn. After graduating from the Tallinn Conservatoire in 1931, he worked for a longer period as teacher of music and in 1944-72 as lecturer at the Tallinn State Conservatoire (Professor since 1945).

He conducted several choirs and in 1944 called into existence the celebrated State Academic Male Choir (RAM), serving as its chief conductor until 1975 and as its artistic director up to the end of his days.

 

Being one of the main organizers and general conductor of all-Estonian choral music festivals from 1947 to 1995, he made a significant contribution to the preservation of the Estonian national spirit and identity in conditions of Soviet ideological pressure. As a result he was often lovingly referred to as Laulutaat, the Old Man of Song.

 

Gustav Ernesaks was also a prolific composer with nearly 300 choral songs, solo pieces, songs for children, five operas and other works to his credit. The choral song, My Fatherland you are my love, became the unofficial anthem of the nation.

Ernesaks's music is lyrical, melodious, often with humorous turns, and relies largely on the Estonian musical tradition.

 

Gustav Ernesaks was highly esteemed even in the Soviet period, as confirmed by numerous prizes and honorary titles bestowed on him.

Gustav Ernesaks died on 24 January 1993 in Tallinn. A statue of him was erected in 2004 on the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds.

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