Kapp, Artur
Kapp Eugen, *26 May 1908 Astrakhan, †29 October 1996 Tallinn, Estonian composer and teacher, son of Arthur. In 1928–31, he studied piano with P. Ramul and A. Lemba at the Tallinn Conservatory, and from 1926 composition with Artur Kapp. From 1935, he taught composition at the Tallinn Conservatory, in 1947, he was a professor, and in 1952–65 he was a rector. Eugen Kapp’s students included, among others, W. Tamberg. In 1948–65, he was the chairman of the Estonian composers’ union.
Eugen Kapp’s early work shows the influence of the music of Grieg and Scriabin (Quartet No. 1), later, having learned the work of Shostakovich, Prokofiev, and Miaskovsky, he adapted newer means of musical expression, combining them with the melody and rhythms characteristic of Estonian folk music (e.g. in the Symphony No. 2). His operas (Talvemuinasjutt) and ballets (Kalevipoeg, Kullaketrajad), inspired by Estonian fairy tales, legends and poetry of F.R. Kreutzwald, are of great importance for the musical culture of Estonia.
Literature: H. Körvits Eugen Kapp, Moscow 1959, 2nd ed. Tallinn 1964.
Instrumental, including:
Tasuja (‘avenger’), symphonic poem, 1931
Suite No. 1, 1933
Quartet No. 1, 1935
Violin Sonata No. 1, 1936
Symphony No. 1, 1942
Violin Sonata No. 2, 1943
Cello Sonata, 1948
Suite No. 2, 1950
Suite No. 4, 1952
5 Estonian Dances for violin and piano, published in 1953
Symphony No. 2, 1954
Suite No. 3, 1955
Suite No. 5, 1955
Suite No. 6, 1957
Variations on M. Glinka for piano, published in 1958
Quartet No.2, 1960
4 overtures, including Overture-paraphrase for brass band, 1962
Symphony No. 3, 1964
Concertino for 2 pianos, published in 1966
24 preludes for piano, 1967
Piano Concerto, 1970
Vocal and vocal-instrumental, including:
Kodumaine loodus, cycle of songs for voice and piano, lyrics F.R. Kreutzwald, published in 1954
Lapse päev, cycle of songs for voice and piano, lyrics J. Šumaków, 1959
oratory, 1977
arrangements of folk songs
around 50 pieces for choir
mass songs
cantatas
Scenic:
Tasuleegid, opera, libretto P. Rummo, 1945, staged in Tallinn 1945
Kalevipoeg according to F.R. Kreutzwald, ballet, 1947, staged in Tallinn 1948
Vabaduse laulik, opera, libretto P. Rummo, 1950, staged in Tallinn 1950, 2nd ed. 1952
Kullaketrajad, ballet, libretto A. Alvege and P. Ablimow according to F.R. Kreutzwald, 1956, staged in Tallinn 1956
Talvemuinasjutt, children’s opera, libretto I. Nasalevitsi, 1958, staged in Tallinn 1959
Tabamatu Marta, opera, libretto J. Galicki, 1960, staged in Tallinn 1961
theatre and film music