Biography
Gustav Ernesaks (12 December 1908 – 24 January 1993) was an Estonian composer and a choir conductor.
Ernesaks was born in Perila, Peningi Parish. He played an integral role in the Singing Revolution and was one of the father figures of the Estonian Song Festival tradition. One of his songs, a setting of Lydia Koidula's poem Mu isamaa on minu arm, became an unofficial national anthem during the years of Estonian SSR. His performance of the song at the XVII Estonian Song Festival was one of the inspirations for Dmitri Shostakovich's 1970 a capella choral cycle, Loyalty. He dedicated the score to Ernesaks, who also premiered it in Tallinn. He also composed the Estonian SSR anthem used between 1945 and 1990.
In 1935, Ernesaks married Stella Merjam. They had three sons: Ott Ernesaks, Jüri Ernesaks and Peep Ernesaks. Stella died in 1973. Ernesaks died in Tallinn, aged 84. A statue of him was erected in 2004 on the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds.
Filmography
all 3
Movies 3
self 1
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Known ForSound
GenderMale
Birthday1908-12-12
Deathday1993-01-24 (84 years old)
ChildrenOtt Ernesaks
CitizenshipsSoviet Union, Estonia
AwardsMedal "For Valiant Labour in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945", Order of the Badge of Honour, Estonian Red Cross Order Fifth Class, Stalin Prize, Order of the Red Banner of Labour, People's Artist of the USSR, Order of the October Revolution, Hero of Socialist Labour, Order of Lenin, Lenin Prize
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Gustav Ernesaks- Filmography
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