Artur Lemba facts for kids

This special envelope with Artur Lemba's picture was made for his 100th birthday!

Artur Lemba (born September 24, 1885 – died November 21, 1963) was an amazing Estonian composer and piano teacher. He was one of the most important people in Estonian classical music. Artur and his older brother Theodor were the first professional pianists from Estonia to play concerts in other countries. Artur wrote the first opera by an Estonian, called Sabina, in 1905. He also wrote the first symphony by an Estonian in 1908.

Artur Lemba was a finalist in the famous Anton Rubinstein Competition, which was a big piano contest. Later, he became a professor at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory, a special music school.

Becoming a Musician: Early Life and Education

Artur Lemba was born in Tallinn, Estonia, on September 24, 1885. His father, Gustav Lemba, was a piano tuner. Artur learned to play the piano from his brother Theodor. In 1899, he followed his brother and joined the St. Petersburg Conservatory. This was a very important music school.

At the Conservatory, Artur studied piano with several teachers. He also learned how to compose music from famous composers like Nicolai Soloviev, Anatoly Lyadov, Alexander Glazunov, and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov.

In 1908, Artur finished his studies. He won a gold medal for piano playing and a silver medal for his compositions. He also received a special piano as a prize! At his graduation, he played his own piece, Piano Concerto No. 1.

In 1910, Artur Lemba entered the Anton Rubinstein Competition for pianists. This was a huge competition! He was one of the top eight finalists, alongside other famous pianists like Arthur Rubinstein.

A Life of Music: Career and Teaching

After graduating in 1908, Artur Lemba started teaching piano at the St. Petersburg Conservatory. By 1915, he became a full professor there. He taught and performed in Saint Petersburg until 1920.

Later, Artur returned to Estonia. He became a piano teacher at the Tallinn Conservatory and eventually led the piano department. Many of his students became well-known musicians, including Elsa Avesson and Olav Roots. Besides teaching, Lemba gave many concerts. He performed in Estonia and in other cities like Riga, Moscow, Helsinki, and Stockholm.

Artur Lemba's Music

Artur Lemba wrote music in almost every style. His Piano Concerto No. 1 in G major, written in 1905, is often thought of as his most famous work. People love its memorable tune. Another popular piece is his Poéme d’amour (meaning "Poem of Love") from 1916, which is for violin and piano.

He composed two symphonies, and his first one was the earliest symphony written by an Estonian composer. He also wrote three overtures, four operas, and many pieces for choirs and different groups of instruments. For the piano, Artur Lemba created five piano concertos, two sonatas, and more than 20 études (which are pieces designed to help musicians practice a specific skill).

Images for kids

• 

  This special envelope with Artur Lemba's picture was made for his 100th birthday!