Raimonds Pauls

Raimonds Pauls ( Russian Óяр Рáймонд Пáулс; born January 12, 1936 in Riga) is a Soviet- Latvian composer.

Life and work

After studying at the Latvian Academy of Music Paul worked since 1965 as head of the Riga Stage Orchestra. His reputation was initially restricted to his home republic. Among other things, he worked here together with the very well-known in Latvia singer Nora Bumbiere. The song Listja sholtyje ( Yellow Leaves, 1975) was the first of its far eastern bloc played hits. Then Paul wrote the music for some movies that thanks in part to this fact, to blockbusters Dolgaja doroga w djunach ( A Long Dünenweg ) Strely Robin Guda was ( The Arrows of Robin Hood ). The musicals Sister Carry and Sherlock Holmes followed.

However, at a megastar he rose to 1983 after the songs Gde ty ljubowy for the pop diva Sofia Rotaru? ( Where are you, love? ) Tanets na barabane (dance on the drum ), Osobyj Drug (special friend), as well as for the singer Alla Pugacheva songs million alych ros ( A million purple roses ), Maestro and Starinnyje tschassy ( The ancient clock ')' wrote. These songs had overwhelming throughout the Soviet Union success. To see the names Rotaru, Pugacheva and Paul is a cult that the country was still unknown to this extent developed.

The end of 1980s, the paths of the two artists parted, Paul began working with the singers Laima Vaikule and Valeri Leontiev. 2002 won his protegee Marija Naumova the Euro Vision Song Contest. He was from 2002 to 2010 in the events " Jaunais vilnis " involved in promoting musical talent.

Policy

After 1988, Raimonds Pauls headed the Latvian State Committee for Culture and in 1991 he became the first Minister of Education of independent Latvia. From 1993 he held the position of Advisor to the President of Culture. In 1999 he stood as a candidate even for the office of President. From 1998 to 2010 he was a deputy in the Latvian Parliament.