Pauls Kvelde
1927–2017
Conductor, composer
Born 23 February 1927 in Priekuļi. Studied at Auce elementary school and Rīga Secondary School No 1. Initially studied at the Latvian Academy of Agriculture (1945-1951), then at the Conservatory of Latvia, in the choir-conducting classes of Jānis Dūmiņš and Teodors Kalniņš (1950-1955).
While still a student, led several amateur choirs in Jelgava, Lielvārde, Ogre and Rīga, including the Ogre District Kolkhoz Choir Lāčplēsis (1951-1972). Worked as choirmaster for the Sakta (Brooch) State Song and Dance Ensemble (1955-1958). Was choirmaster and conductor of the Daugavpils Musical Drama Theatre for two years (1958-1960). After moving to Rīga, worked as a conducting teacher at the Jelgava Music secondary school and at the Latvian State Conservatory (1961-1994), was a musical director of the State Academic Drama Theatre (now the Latvian National Theatre). It was here that he applied his creative approach and composed various arrangements and instrumentations for theatre performances.
Achieved remarkable success as a conductor of male choirs – he was the long-time artistic director and principal conductor of the Absolventi (Alumni) choir (1962-2011), as well as the conductor of the Silvicola choir founded in 1980. Frequently chose patriotic songs for his choirs’ repertoires. The history of Absolventi – Kam spēks un drosme sirdīs mīt (Those with Strength and Courage in their Hearts) – published in 2005, states: “We sang songs that the public liked, ones that were not usually sung in the capital’s concert halls. And no one complained because the people understood. Back then, we had no idea that the rebellious spirit of these songs would lead us to the singing revolution, the awakening of all Latvia and the regaining of independence.” (Grauzdiņa, Ilma, Izredzētie (The Chosen Few), 2008. p185)
A chief conductor at the XVIIIth-XXIInd All-Latvian Song and Dance Festivals, Honorary chief conductor at the XXIIIrd-XXVth All-Latvian Song and Dance Festivals, a chief conductor at the IInd, IIIrd, Vth, VIth, VIIth and IXth Gaudeamus Baltic Student Song Festivals, IVth-VIth Latvian Schools’ Song and Dance festivals, as well as of choir gatherings and district choirs.
Latvian SSR Order of Honour for artistic endeavours (1977), People’s Artist of the Latvian SSR (1990), Bearer, Order of the Three Stars (1997).
