Lilian Semper
b. 30.10 1933 Tartu – 12.12.2007 TallinnLilian Semper was valued Estonian pianist and pedagogue – she was a long-time professor and head of the piano department of the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre.
Lilian Semper was born on October 30, 1933, in Tartu, her father was writer Johannes Semper and her mother was renowned music reviewer Aurora Semper. Lilian Semper began piano studies under the guidance of her mother and continued studies at Tartu Music School (until 1949), graduated from Tallinn Secondary School No. 7 (1949) and Tallinn School of Music under the guidance of Irmgard Kaudre (1952). In 1957 Lilian Semper graduated from Tallinn State Conservatory under the guidance of Heljo Sepp and furthered postgraduate studies at Moscow Conservatory with Jakov Zak.
Since 1961 Lilian Semper worked at Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (since 1982 docent, 1995 professor, 1991–2000 head of the piano department, since 2007 professor emeritus). In addition, she was a pedagogue at Tallinn Music High School (1991–2000). Lilian Semper participated injuries of several international piano competitions in Jyväskylä, Narva, Riga, Vilnius and led master courses in Finland (1991–1995), in addition, Semper arranged master courses in Tallinn. She has published articles about Estonian pianists and piano music, also concert reviews. Lilian Semper is a founding member of the Estonian Piano Teacher’s Association (EPTA Estonia) and has been a councilor of the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. Lilian Semper belonged to a generation of piano players, who didn’t participate actively in piano contests and probably this kind of activity would not have been suitable for Lilian’s personality. Despite of that, her students do include many contest participants and winners. One of the most well-known Lilian Semper’s students is the winner of several international piano competitions Irina Zahharenkova. Semper’s students include also Lille Randma, Tiina Ehin, Lea Gabral, Olga Belova, Ira Floss, Maido Maadik, Riina Pikani, Anne Tüür, Heili Vaus, Sven Kullerkupp, Kai Ratassepp, Ia Remmel ja Marek Vilba.
Since 1950 Lilian was an active solo pianist and gave recitals in Estonia, countries of ESSR and abroad including Cuba, Sweden, Germany and Finland. Lilian Semper was also first performer of several Estonian composers work including Heino Jürisalu, Eugen Kapp, Hillar Kareva, Hugo Lepnurm, Ester Mägi, Uno Naissoo, Leo Normet, Alo Põldmäe, Jaan Rääts, Olev Sau, Jüri Tamverk ect. Composer Veljo Tormis has dedicated his work Three Preludes and Fugues for Piano to Lilian Semper. She has been the first performer of Finnish composer Juhani Komulainen.
In addition solo recitals, Lilian Semper performed solo with chamber orchestras (conductors Eri Klas, Neeme Järvi, Vallo Järvi, Roman Matson, Sergei Prokhorov), was chamber ensemblist (cooperated with Mati Kärmas in 1969–1994 and with organist Etheri Mgaloblišvili), accompanist (cooperated with musicians Mare Jõgeva, Sigrid Orgusaar, Samuel Saulus, Toomas Velmet and several choirs) and participated at quartet of Estonian National Symphony Orchestra. Lilian Semper has performed on TV and radio and has made recordings for Estonian Public Broadcast, also in Moscow, Russia and Cuba. The recording of Estonian Radio has been released on CD „Mängib Lilian Semper“ (2001).
In 1979 Lilian Semper was rewarded Estonian SSR Merited Artist and in 2004 Annual Prize of the Estonian Cultural Endowment for Music for versatile concert activity. For Lilian Semepers's 75th birth anniversary the book Lilian Semper. Kestvas valguses was published (assembled by Ia Remmel, Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, 2008).
Lilian Semper was a special person for the entire school, she had a wide knowledge of arts and showed a lively interest in all events around her. On discussion threads, her point of view was often seen widely, connected with different departments of knowledge, often not including traditional piano playing at all – interesting, also balanced and composed. She has said: „Through the music is possible to see inside people. There is no more effective way to understand a student than listening to his music. Music opens people in the most honest and intimate way. That makes teaching extraordinarily interesting.“
Lilian Semper was one of the last living connections with 1930s Estonian cultural life, more by her childhood home, than her music career. This connection was important for remaining dignity and culture through the occupation years by the Soviet Union.
Cultural magazine Sirp: 21.12.2007
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