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Eugen KappEstonian Soviet composer
Date of Birth: 26.05.1908
Country:  Estonia |
Content:
- Childhood and Early Years
- Musical Education and Early Career
- Teaching and Conservatory Leadership
- Artistic Contributions during World War II
- Political and Organizational Involvement
- Personal Life
- Awards and Honors
- - Hero of Socialist Labor (1978)
Childhood and Early Years
Born in Astrakhan, Russia, on May 13 (26), 1908, Eugen Kapp was the son of renowned Estonian composer Artur Kapp. His childhood in Astrakhan was marked by piano lessons under A.G. Vepritskaya and early attempts at musical composition. In 1920, the family relocated to Tallinn, Estonia.
Musical Education and Early Career
Kapp's formal music education began at the Tallinn Conservatory (now Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre), where he studied piano under P. Rammul and A.G. Lemba from 1922 to 1926. Subsequently, from 1926 to 1931, he furthered his studies in composition under his father. In the early 1930s, he became a member of the Society of Workers' Music in Tallinn and later joined its board in 1938.
Teaching and Conservatory Leadership
Kapp embarked on a teaching career in music lessons in 1935. He joined the faculty of the Tallinn Conservatory in 1944, initially as an assistant in music theory before becoming a lecturer. From 1952 to 1965, he served as the conservatory's rector. He was appointed professor in 1947 and mentored many distinguished Estonian composers.
Artistic Contributions during World War II
During World War II, Kapp played a significant role in organizing Estonian artistic ensembles in Yaroslavl. His compositions became integral to the traditional Estonian Song Festivals.
Political and Organizational Involvement
Kapp joined the Communist Party of Estonia in 1947 and served as a member of its Central Committee from 1951 to 1961. He was also elected as a Deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR (1954-1962). From 1944 to 1966, he chaired the Union of Composers of the Estonian SSR and became a member of the board of the Union of Composers of the USSR in 1948.
Personal Life
Eugen Kapp passed away on October 29, 1996, in Tallinn and was laid to rest in the city's Forest Cemetery. He came from a musically gifted family, including his grandfather, Joosep Kapp, an organist and choirmaster; his uncle, Hans Kapp, a choral conductor; and his cousin, Villem Kapp, a composer.
Awards and Honors
Kapp's remarkable contributions were recognized with numerous awards and honors, including:
- Hero of Socialist Labor (1978)
- People's Artist of the USSR (1956)- People's Artist of the Estonian SSR (1950)
- Honored Artist of the Estonian SSR (1942)
- Three Stalin Prizes (1946, 1949, 1952)
- Three State Prizes of the Estonian SSR (1948, 1950, 1977)
- Two Orders of Lenin (1950, 1978)
- Four Orders of the Red Banner of Labor (1946, 1965, 1968, 1983)
- Order of Friendship of Peoples (1988)
- Medal "For Valiant Labor in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945"
