Estonian Composer. 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. He received many Soviet and Estonian honors during his life, including the Order of the Estonian Red Cross, 5th class (1938), the People's Artist of the Estonian SSR (1947), the People's Artist of the USSR (1956), the Soviet Order of the Badge of Honour (1965 and 1988), and the Soviet Hero of Socialist Labour (1974). He died at the age of 84. A statue in his honor was erected in 2004 on the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds.
Estonian Composer. 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. He received many Soviet and Estonian honors during his life, including the Order of the Estonian Red Cross, 5th class (1938), the People's Artist of the Estonian SSR (1947), the People's Artist of the USSR (1956), the Soviet Order of the Badge of Honour (1965 and 1988), and the Soviet Hero of Socialist Labour (1974). He died at the age of 84. A statue in his honor was erected in 2004 on the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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