Sumera, Lepo
Sumera, Lepo
Sumera, Lepo, esteemed Estonian composer and pedagogue; b. Tallinn, May 8, 1950; d. there, June 4, 2000. He received training in conducting and composition at the Tallinn Music H.S. before pursuing his study of composition at the Tallinn State Cons. (1968-73). He later took postgraduate courses at the Moscow Cons. (1979-82). From 1973 to 1978 he was a recording supervisor for the Estonian Radio. In 1976 he became prof, of composition at the Estonian Music Academy, where he was head of the dept. of composition and musicology (1988-89) and director of the electronic music studio (1995-99). From 1990 to 1992 he also served as minister of culture of the Republic of Estonia, and from 1993 he was chairman of the Estonian Composers Union. His works were awarded several Estonian music prizes.
Works
dramatic: Anselmi lugu, ballet (1977-78); Ja’st’eritsa, ballet (1986-88); Saare Piiga laul merest (The Island Maiden), Linda matab Kalevit (Linda Buries Kalev), and Linda soome Tuuslar (Linda Becomes Stone), multimedia dance drama for Chamber Chorus, Actors, and Shaman Drum (1988); Olivia’s Master class, chamber opera (1997); also more than 40 scores for film, television, animation, and theater. ORCH. : In Memoriam (1972); Music for Chamber Orchestra (1977-78; Tallinn, June 30, 1979); Olüpiamuusika (Olympic Music; 1981); 5 syms.: No. 1 (1980; Tallinn, Oct. 10, 1981), No. 2 (Tallinn, April 4, 1984), No. 3 (Tallinn, Oct. 9, 1988), No. 4, Serena Borealis (1992), and No. 5 (1995); Pikseloits (Thunder Incantation; 1983); Piano Concerto (1989); Open(r)ing (1989); Music for Glasgow for Synthesizers and Chamber Orch. (1989); Musik für Karlsruhe im Barockstil for Strings and Harp (1989); Musica Tenera (1992); Symphöne for Strings and Percussion (1998); Cello Concerto (1999). CHAMBER: Mäng punkpillidele for Wind Quintet (1976); Kaks pala sooloviiulile for Violin (1977); Malera Kasuku, trio for Violin, Cello, and Piano (1977); Sarvelugu for Horn (1977); Pantomiim for Renaissance Instruments (1980); Quasi improvisata for Violin and Piano (1983); 2 Capriccios for Clarinet (1984); Valss for Violin and Piano (1985); For Boris Björn Bagger and Friend for Flute and Guitar (1988); From 59’22” to 42’49” for Guitar and Prerecorded Tape (1989); The Borders for Acoustic and Amplified Instruments (1990); To reach yesterday for Cello and Piano (1993); Das Spiel für 10 (Canone Terribile, alia Diavolo) for Chamber Ensemble (1994); String Quartet (1995). Piano: Ostinatovariations (1967); Fughetta and Postludium (1972); Pianissimo (1976); 2 Pieces from the Year 1981: No. 1 and No. 2, Pardon, Fryderyk! (1980); The Butterfly Who Woke Up in Winter (1982); The Sad Toreador or The One Who Is Wiser Concedes (1984). VOCAL: Elust ja surmast, cantata for Chorus and Orch. (1975); Seenekantaat (Mushroom Cantata), Part II, Timor (Dangerous; 1980; Tallinn, Feb. 7, 1981), Part III, Carmen autumnus (Tallinn, April 23, 1982), and Part IV, Luxuria (1983); Laulupea tuli, cantata (1985); Kui turne veel kauaks ka sinu maa for Chorus (1985); Amore et Igne, oratorio (1997).
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire