Eugen Kapp

Born May 13 (26), 1908, in Astrakhan. Soviet composer and public figure; People’s Artist of the USSR (1956). Member of the CPSU since 1947.

Kapp studied piano under P. Ramul and A. Lemba during 1928–31 and composition under his father, A. I. Kapp, after 1926 at the Tallinn Conservatory. He became an assistant in the music theory course at the conservatory in 1935, a lecturer in 1944 (professor in 1947), and the director in 1952 (until 1965). He was chairman of the Composers’ Union of the Estonian SSR during 1944–66.

Kapp contributed to the establishment and development of a national music culture. He composed the first Soviet Estonian opera, Fire of Vengeance (1945); the first ballet, Kalevipoeg (Son of Kalev; 1947), based on themes from epic folk literature; and the first Estonian children’s opera, Winter Fairy Tale (1958). His other compositions include the opera Freedom Singer (1950), the ballet The Gold Spinners (1956), symphonies, choral and chamber works, and piano pieces.

Kapp was a deputy to the fourth and fifth convocations of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. During 1951–61 he was a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Estonia. He received the State Prize of the USSR in 1946, 1949, and 1952. He was awarded the Order of Lenin, three other orders, and medals.