Tubin, Eduard

Born June 5 (18), 1905, in Kallaste, Tartu Raion. Estonian composer and conductor.

In 1930, Tubin graduated from the Tartu Higher Music School, where he studied composition with H. Eller. From 1930 to 1944 he worked as a coach and conductor at the Vanemuine Music and Drama Theater in Tartu and was also a choir director. In 1944 he moved to Sweden, where he worked at the Drottningholm Theater until 1972.

Tubin’s creative work is closely associated with Estonian folk music. He composed the first Estonian ballet, The House Spirit (first staged in 1943 by the Vanemuine Theater), which was based on Estonian folk tales, and he wrote the operas Barbara von Tisenhusen (first staged in 1969 by the Estonian Theater in Tallinn) and The Pastor from Reigi (1971). Tubin has also composed ten symphonies (1934–73), various other works for symphony orchestra, two violin concerti (1941 and 1945), a concerto for double bass (1948), works for chamber orchestra, choral works, and songs.