Eduard Oja

Eduard Oja ( born January 17, 1905 in Palupõhja, today rural community Puhja, Tartu county, Estonia, † April 16, 1950 in Tartu) was an Estonian composer.

Life and work

Eduard Oja was born in Tartu county, the son of a forester. After finishing school Oja first attended the Tartu Teachers' Training College, but switched in 1925 to the Higher School of Music and studied violin there. He joined in 1932 the Higher Music School in Tartu in composition with Heino Eller. From 1935 to 1941 he taught there music theory, orchestra music and composition. From 1934 to 1938 he was also a music critic for the Estonian Postimees and choirmaster. From 1941 he lived as a freelance composer.

Eduard Ojas works contain its own drama and expressiveness. His musical language is imaginative and contains colorful harmonies. It is occasionally grotesque and ironic. In his compositions Oja often processed Estonian folk song art.

Works (selection)

  • Ajatriloogia ( for cello and piano, 1934)
  • Aeliita Süit ( symphonic suite for violin and piano, 1938)
  • Lunastatud vanne (Opera, 1940)
  • Mere Laul ( symphonic picture for symphony orchestra, 1942)
  • Symphony (1943 )
  • Rätsep OHK yes tema õnneloos ( Singspiel, 1943)
Puhja Parish Estonians Integrated Authority File
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