Venno Laul

Venno Laul
September 11, 1938, Kuressaare - October 14, 2018

Venno Laul was known in Estonian music life as a choral conductor, pedagogue an active figure in Estonian musical life. He founded Estonian Boys’ Choir and was the principal conductor and artistic director of the choir over 30 years. He has conducted several times Estonian Song Celebrations and also Youth Song Celebrations, taught choral conducting in Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre and acted its rector. 

Venno Laul studied conducting in 1952–1956 at Tartu Music School (later Heino Eller Tartu Music School) with Voldemar Kliimand and 1956–1961 at Tallinn State Conservatory with Heino Kaljuste. In 1968–1971 Laul continued postgraduate studies at Rimsky-Korsakov St. Petersburg State Conservatory with Avenir Mihhailov.

Venno Laul worked as the music teacher at Tallinn 22th High School (1960–1966), was the choirmaster at Estonian National Opera and (1966–1972) and conductor of the State Academic Men’s Choir studio (Estonian National Male Choir). In 1971 Venno Laul founded the boys’ choir of the State Academic Men’s Choir (since 1990 Estonian Boy’s Choir; in 1997 the choir was adopted by the Estonian National Opera) and acted its artistic director and principal conductor of the choir until 2001. Boy’s choir was the first choir after the year 1945, which managed to give recitals outside of the Soviet Union – in USA (1988) and Australia (1989). The choir has also given concerts in Europe, in Canada and Japan, performed large-scale vocal works and participated in the performances of the Estonian National Opera. The choir plays a significant role in introducing Estonian music around the world. The choir has recorded 7 CDs, audio cassettes and made recordings for Estonian Public Broadcast. Remarkable is Sélection du Reader´s Digest produced collection of world choir music, which includes 5 CDs and contains also 30 minutes of music performed by Estonian Boys' Choir (2006).

In 1972–2001 Venno Laul taught choral conducting at Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (1974–1981 dean, 1981–1982 vice-rector for academic affairs and research, 1982–1992 rector, since 1987 professor and 2001 professor emeritus). His students include Silvia Landra, Heli Ojaste, Lauri Aav, Anu Tähemaa, Eero Raun, Elo Kesküla etc. As a rector Venno Laul succeeded to develope the project of the new school until the start of the building in 22.11.1990. In 2002–2005 Venno Laul was vice director and manager and since 2005 the general manager at Estonia Piano Factory.

Venno Laul conducted at Estonia Song Celebrations (XIX, XX, XXI, XXII and XXIII) and also Youth Song Celebrations (1977, 1982, 1987). He was the chairman of Estonian Choral Association (1986–1996), a board member of European Federation of Young Choirs (in 1990-s) and consultative board member of International Federation of Choral Music. He has participated in the work of the jury of more than 60 international competitions for conductors, choirs and choral compositions. He has led several summer courses in USA (1991), Japan and Israel (1996), Greece (1997) and Poland (2004), has given workshops at XI Europa Cantat (1994) and Europa Cantat Junior (1999) and has been the guest conductor in Italy, Germany and several times in Finland and Belgium.

Venno Laul was given the honorary title of Estonian SSR Honoured Worker in Arts (1977) and Estonian SSR People’s Artist (1985). In 2001 Venno Laul was given The Order of the White Star, 2nd Class by Estonian President Lennart Meri. Composer Veljo Tormis has dedicated his work „Kodulaulud“ („Home Songs“) to Venno Laul.