Valdeko Viru

b. March 13, 1925 Pärnu – d. January 5, 2006 Tartu
Member of the Estonian Composers' Union since 1971
Member of the Estonian Theatre Union since 1952

Valdeko Viru graduated from Viljandi Gymnasium (1944), studied piano in Tallinn Conservatoire in the class of Aino Kõrb and Artur Lemba (1939–1943), graduated from Tartu Music School in composition under Johannes Bleive (1949) and Tallinn State Conservatoire in composition as a student of Eugen Kapp in 1967 (started with Villem Kapp, also studied choral conducting with Tuudur Vettik).

From 1944–1946, Viru was a pianist in Ugala Theatre orchestra and worked as a choir conductor and pianist in Viljandi Culture House. Thereafter he was connected to Theatre Vanemuine in Tartu for a long time: he was concertmaster (1946–1950, 1967–1969), choirmaster (1950–1958, chief choirmaster 1957–1958), musical director (1958–1967) and conductor (1969–1991). Also he worked in Tartu Music School as a teacher of music theory subjects from 1949–1950 and 1966–1996. Viru has been the director of Youth Section of Tartu Department of Estonian Composer’s Union and later Tartu Department of Estonian Composer’s Union.

Valdeko Viru has written music almost in every genre: stage music, orchestral works, chamber music, solo-, choral- and children’s songs, music for theatre.

Valdeko Viru has been ascribed the title of Estonian SSR Merited Worker of Art (1976).

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