Kapp, Eugen (Arturovich)

Kapp, Eugen (Arturovich), important Estonian composer and pedagogue, son of Artur Kapp; b. Astrakhan, May 26, 1908; d. Tallinn, Nov. 11, 1996. He graduated from his father’s composition class at the Tallinn Cons. (1931), then became a teacher of composition there (1935). After serving as founder-director of the Estonian State Ensemble in Yaroslavl (1941–44), he became a prof, at the Estonian Cons. (1947) and was its director (1952–64). He received the Order of Lenin (1950) and was made a People’s Artist of the Estonian S.S.R. (1950) and of the U.S.S.R. (1956). His operas Tasuleegid and Vabaduse laulik won Stalin Prizes in 1946 and 1950, respectively, as well as his ballet Kalevipoeg in 1952.

Works

dramatic:Opera: Tasuleegid (Flames of Vengeance; Tallinn, July 21, 1945); Vabaduse laulik (Freedom’s Singer; Tallinn, July 20, 1950); Talvemuinasjutt (Winter Fairy Tale; Tartu, Oct. 28, 1958); Tabamatu (Elusive Marta; 1960; Tartu, March 19, 1961); Rembrandt (March 30, 1975); Enneolematu ime (Unheard of Wonder), children’s opera (Tallinn, May 8, 1983). operetta:Assol (1965). Ballet: Kalevipoeg (1947); Kullaketrajad (Goldspinners; 1956). orch.:The Avenger, symphonic poem (1931); 6 suites (1933–57); 4 overtures (1938–69); 3 syms. (1942, 1954, 1964); Piano Concerto (1969); Flute Concerto (1975); Concerto-Fantasy for Violin and Chamber Orch. (1978; also for Violin and Orch., 1980); Theme and Variations on Ukrainian Folk Music for Strings (1982). chamber: Piano Trio (1930); 2 string quartets (1935, 1956); 2 violin sonatas (1936, 1943); Cello Sonata (1948); Meditations for Cello (1969); 4 Estonian Dances for Violin and Piano (1973); 4 Pieces for Flute and Piano (1974); Starling’s Song to the Sun for Violin (1983). Piano: Sonatina (1945); Little Sonatina (1975). vocal: Oratorios; cantatas; songs.

Bibliography

G. Polyanovsky, E. K. (Moscow, 1957).; H. Kyrvits, E. K. (Tallinn, 1964).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire