Rudolf Tobias facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rudolf Tobias
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 29 May 1873 Selja, Hiiumaa Parish, Kreis Wiek, Governorate of Estonia, Russian Empire
|
| Died | 29 October 1918 (aged 45) |
| Occupation | Composer |
| Era | Romantic |
| Spouse(s) |
Louise Vilde
(m. 1902) |
| Children |
|
Rudolf Tobias (born May 29, 1873 – died October 29, 1918) was a very important musician from Estonia. He was the first Estonian to become a professional composer and a professional organist. He wrote many different kinds of music. His most famous work is probably an oratorio called Des Jona Sendung, which means Jonah's Mission.
Contents
Who Was Rudolf Tobias?
Rudolf Tobias was a talented musician. He lived during a time when Estonia was part of the Russian Empire. He helped create a path for other Estonian musicians. He showed that Estonians could be great composers and performers.
His Early Life
Rudolf Tobias was born in a small place called Selja on Hiiumaa island. His father, Johannes Tobias, was a church clerk and also taught music. Rudolf started learning music from his father when he was very young. He even began writing his own music at just 9 years old!
In 1885, Rudolf went to school in Haapsalu. There, he learned to play the piano from a local teacher named Catharina von Gernet. After finishing school, he moved with his family to Kullamaa. His father had a new job there.
In 1889, Rudolf went to high school in Tallinn. He continued to study music, focusing on the organ and music theory. His teacher was Ernst Reinicke, who was the organist at the Tallinn Cathedral.
Becoming a Musician
Rudolf Tobias wanted to learn even more about music. So, in 1893, he went to the Saint Petersburg Conservatory. This was a very famous music school. He studied the organ with Louis Homilius. He also learned about composing music from a very famous Russian composer, Nikolai Rimski-Korsakov.
In 1897, Rudolf finished his studies. For his final project, he presented a large musical piece called a cantata. It was named "Johannes Damascenus." After graduating, he worked as an organist and led choirs. He worked at the Saint Petersburg Estonian St. John's Church from 1898 to 1904. During this time, he also performed his own music there.
His Music Career
In 1904, Rudolf Tobias moved to Tartu, another city in Estonia. He taught music at different schools. He also gave private lessons. He was very busy in Tartu. He helped organize concerts and performed as a pianist, conductor, and organist. He even worked with another Estonian musician, Aleksander Läte, to put on performances of oratorios.
Rudolf also started writing about music for newspapers. He joined a group of writers and artists called Noor Eesti (Young Estonia).
In 1908, Rudolf Tobias traveled a lot. He lived for a short time in Paris, France. Then he moved to cities in Germany like Munich and Dresden. He also spent time in Prague and Dubí in what is now the Czech Republic. By the end of 1908, he settled in Leipzig, Germany.
In 1910, he moved to Berlin, Germany. He continued to work as an organist and a journalist. In 1911, he became an important member of a group that judged music for German composers. In 1914, he became a German citizen. He also became a full professor at the Royal Academy of Music. This was a big achievement!
In 1913, Rudolf visited his home country, Estonia. He went to the opening of the new Estonia Theatre. He even conducted some of his own music there. After returning to Berlin, he held a concert. Parts of his famous oratorio, "Mission of Jonah," were performed.
When World War I started, Rudolf Tobias joined the German army. He worked as an interpreter, helping people communicate in different languages. In 1916, he was released from the army because of health reasons. He then went back to work at the Royal Academy of Music.
Later Life and Legacy
Rudolf Tobias sadly passed away from pneumonia in Berlin, Germany, on October 29, 1918. He was 45 years old. His youngest daughter, Helen, was born seven months after he died. She also grew up to become a composer, just like her father.
Rudolf was first buried in Berlin. But in 1992, after Estonia became an independent country again, his remains were brought back home. He was reburied in Kullamaa, Estonia.
People remember Rudolf Tobias in many ways:
- In 1929, a monument was built in Haapsalu to honor him.
- In 1973, another memorial was put up in Kullamaa.
- A street in Tallinn was named after him in 1924.
- In 1973, a children's music school in Kärdla was named after him.
- A museum was opened in his birth house in Selja in 1973.
- From 1994 to 2010, Rudolf Tobias's picture was on the front of the Estonian 50 krooni banknote.
- A music group called the Tobias String Quartet is also named after him.
Rudolf Tobias is still celebrated today as a pioneer of Estonian classical music.
Images for kids
-
Monument to Tobias in Haapsalu.
-
Tobias on the Estonian 50 krooni bill.
-
Rudolf Tobias' Museum at his birth house in Selja, Käina Parish.
-
Plaque in the museum.
.JPG)
.JPG)
