ESTONIAN SYMPHONIC MUSIC. THE FIRST CENTURY 1896-1996.
The overture is almost
reminiscent of Tchaikovsky though without resemblance in either style or idiom. Lüdig
is a lyricist and romantic; his musical spirit presents sublime pathos and brilliance, with
candid sincerity. This work easily stands out among his few short orchestral
compositions.
The first operas were staged in 1908-1909: Conradin Kreutzer’s Das
Nachtlager in Granada (A Short Stay in Granada) and Friedrich von Flotow’s
Alessandro Stradella1, directed by Paul Pinna (1884-1949) under the baton of Adalbert
Wirkhaus (1880-1961). The first Estonian operetta, Jaaniöö (Midsummer Night), was
composed by the latter and staged in 1911.
The honour of writing the first opera and the first symphony must be given to
Artur Lemba (1885-1963). Artur Lemba graduated from the St. Petersburg
Conservatoire in 1908 in piano and composition with admirable success (Gold and
Silver medals respectively).
annaabi.ee 
