Mart Saar

Mart Saar (August 28, 1882 - October 28, 1963) was an Estonian composer, organist and collector of folk songs.

Childhood

Saar was born at the small borough of Hüpassaare, Estonia, then part of the Livonian Governorate, Russian Empire, to a family of forest keepers. He received his education in the village school at Kaansoo and the Suure-Jaani parish school. His music teacher in the Suure-Jaani parish school was Joosep Kapp, the father of Artur Kapp, another famous Estonian composer. Additionally, Saar's father was a talented organist, who gave him lessons at home.

Adult life

In 1901, Saar left home to study music at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory. He graduated in 1908 but chose to continue his studies. After graduation in 1911, he became a music teacher in Tartu. Ten years later, in 1921, he moved to Tallinn, Estonia as a freelance composer and organist. He spent his summers in his native borough Hüpassaare.

Career

Early in his career, Saar was influenced by the European music of the early 19th century.

Later in his life, Saar combined Estonian folk music with more contemporary sounds. He mixed vocals into his symphonies. In addition to composing, Saar also wrote lyrics to some of his songs. Usually, these lyrics express a love for Estonia and nature. They also address the brevity of life. Saar's lyrics have been compared to the poetry of Anna Haava and Juhan Liiv.

Selected works

Works for a mixed-gender choir include:

• Põhjavaim (Northern Spirit)
• Seitse Sammeldunud Sängi (Seven Moss-Clad Tombs)
• Oh Kodumaa (Oh, My Homeland)
• Mis Sa Nutad, tammekene? (Why Are You Weeping, Oak Tree?)
• Kõver Kuuseke (Crooked Fir)
• Mälestus (A Memory)
• Allik (Wellspring)

Works for an all-male choir include:

• Küll ma Laulaks (I Would Sing)

Works for an all-female choir include:

• Päikesele (To The Sun)

Solo songs include:

• Must Lind (Black Bird)
• Lauliku Talveüksindus (Singer's Winter Loneliness)

Piano music tracks include:

• 20 Rahvaviisi (20 Folk Songs)
• Eesti Süidid (Estonian Suites)
• Prelüüd ja Fuuga G-duur (Prelude and Fugue in G)
• Humoresk (Humoresque)
• Skizze (Preludes)

Sources

• Mart Saar Biography (in Estonian)
• Examples of Saar's piano music; short biography

Persondata
Name	Saar, Mart
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	August 28, 1882
Place of birth
Date of death	October 28, 1963
Place of death