Raymond Voldemarovich Pauls (Raimonds Pauls) |

Raymond Paul

People’s Artist of the USSR (1985). He graduated from the Latvian Conservatory in piano class with G. Braun (1958), studied composition under the guidance of J. A. Ivanov there (1962-65). In 1964-71 he was the artistic director, pianist and conductor of the Riga Variety Orchestra, since 1973 the head of the Modo Ensemble, since 1978 the chief music director and conductor of the Latvian Television and Radio.

He works a lot in the field of jazz. His jazz compositions and pop songs are characterized by vivid imagery, sharp dynamic and dramatic richness. Performs as a pianist-improviser. Has toured abroad with the Riga Variety Orchestra. Laureate of the All-Union Review of Young Composers (1961). Prize of the Lenin Komsomol of the Latvian SSR (1970) State Prize of the Latvian SSR (1977) Lenin Komsomol Prize (1981).

Compositions:

ballet Cuban Melodies (1963, Riga), ballet miniatures: Singspiel Great Fortune (Pari kas dabonas, 1977, ibid), musicals – Sister Kerry, Sherlock Holmes (both – 1979, ibid.); Rhapsody for piano and variety orchestra (1964); miniatures for jazz; choral songs, pop songs (St. 300); music for films (25), for the television film “Sister Kerry” (1977; 1st prize in Sopot at the competition of television musical films, 1979); music for drama theater performances; arrangements of folk songs.