Juhan Aavik facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Juhan Aavik
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Aavik at the IX Estonian Song Festival in 1928
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| Born | 29 January 1884 Holstre, Kreis Fellin, Governorate of Livonia, Russian Empire
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| Died | 26 November 1982 (aged 98) Stockholm, Sweden
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| Nationality | Estonian |
| Occupation | Composer |
Juhan Aavik (born January 29, 1884, in Holstre, now part of Estonia – died November 26, 1982, in Stockholm, Sweden) was a famous Estonian composer. He also worked as a conductor, leading many musical groups. Aavik lived a very long life, almost a hundred years, and dedicated most of it to music.
Contents
Juhan Aavik: A Musical Journey
Juhan Aavik's life was filled with music. He started his journey in a place called Holstre, which was then part of the Russian Empire. He grew up to become one of Estonia's most important musical figures.
Learning Music
Juhan Aavik studied music at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory. This was a very important music school. Here, he learned how to create and arrange music. This education prepared him for a long career in the world of classical music.
A Busy Career
After his studies, Juhan Aavik became a busy musician. He worked in different roles and places:
- From 1911 to 1925, he was a conductor in Tartu, a city in Estonia. He led orchestras and choirs.
- From 1928 to 1944, he worked in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. He was a professor and director at a music conservatory. This means he taught music to students and helped run the school.
- After 1944, he moved to Sweden. There, he continued to lead Estonian song festivals from 1948 to 1961. These festivals are big events where many choirs sing together.
The Music He Wrote
Juhan Aavik wrote almost 200 pieces of music. These are called his "opus numbers." His works include:
- Two symphonies, which are large musical pieces for an orchestra.
- A Cello concerto (1949), a piece for a cello and an orchestra.
- A Double bass Concerto (1950), a piece for a double bass and an orchestra.
- A Piano trio (1957), which is music for three instruments: a piano, a violin, and a cello.
- A Requiem (1959), a special type of musical piece often performed for remembrance.
- Many songs for choirs and solo singers.
- Different kinds of chamber music, which are pieces for a small group of instruments.
Sharing Estonian Music History
Even when he was 81 years old, Juhan Aavik was still working hard. From 1965 to 1969, he published a big project. He wrote a four-volume history of Estonian music. This book helps people learn about the musical past of his home country. He wrote it while living in Stockholm, Sweden.
Juhan Aavik's life shows how much one person can contribute to music and culture. He was a composer, a conductor, a teacher, and a historian, all dedicated to Estonian music.
