All contemporaries have heard the name of the famous pianist, composer Raymond Pauls. The best concert halls of the Soviet Union and many foreign countries heard the works of the famous Latvian composer. He is the author of pop songs, miniatures for cinema and theater. His compositions harmoniously sound notes of jazz, folklore, blues, modern rhythms. A very interesting person is Raymond Pauls. The biography, personal life of this celebrity deserves special attention.
Little genius
In 1936, a small Raymond was born in Riga. His father, Waldemar, was a glassmaker, and his mother, Alma Matilda, was an embroiderer. The family lived modestly. From a very early age, parents noticed their son’s ability to music and began to develop them. A specialized kindergarten was opened at the first music institute, where they gave the little Oyar-Raymond (initial name). The boy was then only three years old. At four, Raymond had already mastered such a complex instrument as the piano. When he was 10 years old, the boy was sent to study at the music school. Darzin, located in the conservatory of the Latvian SSR. Here professor Dauge gave him lessons. Until the age of 15, Raymond could masterfully perform jazz compositions, so he easily entered the Latvian State Conservatory to the performers' department.
First steps in music
What did Raymond Pauls start with? The biography of the composer is very rich. While still a student at the conservatory, he worked as a pianist in one of the clubs. Soon, he learns to write his first creative masterpieces. The first musical miniatures were written for the puppet and drama theater of the Latvian SSR. At the conservatory, he became the organizer of a pop sextet from his classmates. On Riga radio, the songs of young Pauls performed by sextet and other professional singers were increasingly heard. The most famous songs of that time: "Winter Evening", "We met in March", "Old Birch". The pianist entered the conservatory twice, the second time - to the composition department, where he studied under Professor Ivanov.
Young Pauls began to give concerts throughout the Soviet country. Then he was entrusted with the Latvian pop orchestra. Here he writes music for the film "Three Plus Two" and collaborates with the poet Alfred Kruklis. Here are the musician’s famous compositions: “Ancient Harpsichord”, “Drop of Rain”, “Restless Pulse”.
In 1968, singer Larisa Mondrus performed his song "Blue Flax". This was a big impetus to the popularity of Pauls.
Touring and success
The composer's first author’s concert took place in the hall of the Latvian Philharmonic. Raymond began touring Europe. In the early 70s, the pianist created a youth rock band called "Modo". In 1975, this ensemble became a participant in a music festival in the Bulgarian city of Sopot. Then Pauls continues his work at the Latvian State Radio and Television as a conductor (he directed the choir and orchestra).
Create masterpieces
Such geniuses as Raymond Pauls are infrequently born. The biography, photos, personal life of the maestro are of interest to many contemporaries. The musicals brought great popularity to the master: Ladies' Paradise, Marlene, Sherlock Holmes. Ilya Reznik, Janis Peters, Andrei Voznesensky, Robert Rozhdestvensky - these are the authors with whom the musician fruitfully collaborated in the 70s. Many remember the most sensational masterpieces of those times: "It’s not yet evening," "I draw," "Velvet season," "God grant," "Green light," "Sunny days have disappeared," "Attraction," "Yellow Leaves," " In an abandoned tavern. "
Collaboration with pop singers
Which singers did Raymond Pauls collaborate with? The biography briefly provides information on the maestro's main alliances with performers. Laima Vaikule, Nikolai Gnatyuk, Andrey Mironov, Sofia Rotaru, Valery Leontyev, Tatyana Bulanova, Anna Veski, Lyudmila Senchina - this is not the whole list of artists for whom the talented composer created hits. It is impossible not to list the most outstanding songs:
- "Dance on the drum."
- Vernissage.
- "Cabaret".
- "Pick up the music."
Union with the prima donna Russian stage
Alla Pugacheva and Raymond Pauls ... The biography of the master is very connected with this popular singer. Many attributed to them a romance in the 80s. But in reality, these two talents were connected only by creative activity. Nobody like Pugacheva could sing the works of the maestro. Poems for these masterpieces were written by the poet Ilya Reznik. It was an era of fruitful cooperation between the composer, poet and singer. Very often Pauls accompanied Pugacheva at the performances, the audience exploded in applause. Here are the most triumphant masterpieces of this tandem:
- "Antique clock".
- "Return".
- "Hey, you up there."
- "Rejoice."
- "Maestro".
- "Without me".
- "Love the pianist."
Music for movies
Compositions for many television pictures, series, theatrical productions, and musicals were composed by Raymond Pauls. A brief biography of the maestro cannot but include a list of the main creations: “Four Springs”, “Behind a Glass Door”, “A Gift for a Lonely Woman”, “Blues in the Rain”, “Double Trap” and many others. In 1981, the series Long Road in the Dunes was released. Fascinating and mysterious music and songs from this film are imprinted in the hearts of many viewers. "Lullaby" from this picture was taken in the repertoire of many children's groups. This inspired the maestro to work with the Kukushechka children's ensemble. Many people know their joint hit "Grandfather next to grandmother." The pianist also worked fruitfully with the boys' choir on Latvian Radio.
Once Pauls starred for a movie, it was the movie "Theater". He masterfully played the role of a pianist. The composer took part in such performances: “Four Musicians”, “A Man from the Star”, “The Seagull”, “The Return of Love”, “Present for the Modern Woman”, “The Kid and Carlson, Who Lives on the Roof”, etc.
A family
Is Raymond Pauls a happy person? Biography, personal life of the composer went very smoothly. Svetlana Epifanova became the wife of the celebrity. The couple met in Odessa when Raymond was on tour there. Since then, Svetlana has become the most beloved and main woman in the life of the maestro. In 1961, the wife gave birth to the musician's daughter Anette. The daughter graduated from high school a long time ago and became a television director, lives with her family in Moscow. Raymond Pauls has already become a grandfather three times.
World fame
As a master of jazz improvisation, Raymond Pauls received the title of professor at the conservatory. In 1981, the maestro held a large solo concert in Moscow. After that, he toured with concerts in the United States, Canada. He was welcomed by cities such as San Francisco, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver. In 1976, the composer was awarded the title "People's Artist of the Latvian USSR", and nine years later - "People's Artist of the USSR".
Political career
In the early 90s, Pauls was interested in political issues. He passes to deputies of the Supreme Council of Latvia. In 1990, the musician was elected to the USSR people's deputies. Then he becomes the head of the Ministry of Culture of the LSSR and continues to head it after Latvia's independence. Pauls left his post in 1993, making this decision himself. He spent the next five years as an adviser to the President of Latvia on cultural issues. In the late 90s he created a political force in Latvia - the New Party, at the head of which he became. Then, for four years, Raymond Pauls was a deputy from the People’s Party and even dabbled in the presidency of Latvia, but at the last moment he recused himself. In 2009, the politician decided to no longer participate in the election race and devote himself only to art.
The musician's activity today
In 2008, Raymond Pauls was awarded the Baltic Star Award for his great contribution to the art and development of the Baltic States. The main direction of the composer's work was the organization of a contest of young talents in Jurmala, which was called the "New Wave". The musicians Igor Krutoy and Alla Pugacheva became active assistants in organizing this event. For spreading the Russian language in Latvia and for strengthening the cultural ties of the two countries, the master was awarded the Order of Honor. The award was presented to the artist by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
Today, the maestro continues to work with the collective of the Boys Choir named after Darzin. Also, the composer continues to create music for new musicals, films. In 2014, the premiere of the sensational musical “All About Cinderella” was held in Russia. Many people know that it was Pauls who wrote the musical intro for the weather forecast in the Vremya program. Among the young performers with whom the master worked, we can mention Valery, Kristina Orbakaite, Ani Lorak.