Raimond Valgre

Raimond Valgre ( born October 7, 1913 in Riisipere, † December 31, 1949 in Tallinn ) was one of the most successful Estonian composer and musician entertainment.

Early years

Raimond Valgre ( until 1937 Raimond Tiisel ) was born into the family of a shoemaker. Even as a child he had mastered several instruments and showed exceptional musical talent. After school in Rapla and Paid he moved to Tallinn. In 1931, he joined the local State General Technical High School ( Tallinna Riigi Ühistehnikagümnaasium ) from the Department of Building Surveyor. He was then drafted into the Estonian military service.

Entertainment Composer

From 1932 until his untimely death worked as a professional composer Raimond Valgre, lounge musician and conductor in Tallinn, Tartu and Pärnu. His plays enjoyed great success and quickly became a formative part of the Estonian entertainment culture of the interwar period. 1939 Valgre learned in Pärnu his temporary companion Alice Feillet know who wrote many English lyrics of his songs.

During the Second World War Raimond Valgre was drafted in June 1941 to the military. From 1942 he played in a military band. With the Soviet occupation of Estonia in 1944 the conditions were difficult. "Western " music such as saxophone, tango and foxtrot were banned and Valgre faced reprisals for his work exposed. 1948 his songs were occupied by the Soviet occupation authorities with a public performance ban.

Raimond Valgre died embittered in December 1949. He is buried at Forest Cemetery in Tallinn. 1988 was mounted a memorial plaque in honor of the artist in Rapla the former home of Raimond Valgre.

Work

Raimond Valgre composed over 100 pop, waltzes and songs. He wrote mostly in Estonian, but also in German and English. Valgre was the most successful entertainment composer of his time in Estonia and beyond. He also wrote the music for the popular Estonian films. His plays and song lyrics have now become common knowledge.

Valgres most famous work is the Saaremaa valss ( Saaremaa Waltz ), which describes the beauty of the Estonian island of Saaremaa at a party in June.