Raymond Pauls: biography, personal life, family, wife, children - photo. Raymond pauls - biography, photo, personal life, songs of the composer Further activities of the composer

All contemporaries know the name of the famous pianist, composer Raimonds Pauls. The best concert halls of the Soviet Union and many foreign countries heard the works of the famous Latvian composer. He is the author of pop songs, miniatures for cinema and theater. Notes of jazz, folklore, blues, modern rhythms harmoniously sound in his compositions. Raymond Pauls is a very interesting personality. Biography, personal life of this celebrity deserves special attention.

little genius

In 1936, little Raymond was born in Riga. His father, Valdemar, was a glass maker, and his mother, Alma Matilda, was an embroiderer. The family lived modestly. From a very early age, parents noticed their son's ability to music and began to develop them. A specialized kindergarten was opened at the first musical institute, where little Oyar-Raymond (initial name) was sent. The boy was then only three years old. At the age of four, Raymond had already mastered such a complex instrument as the piano. When he was 10 years old, the boy was sent to study at the music school. Darzin, who is in the conservatory. Here he was given lessons by Professor Dauge. Even before the age of 15, Raymond could masterfully perform jazz compositions, so he easily entered the Latvian State Conservatory in the department of performers.

First steps in music

What did Raymond Pauls start with? The biography of the composer is very rich. While still a student at the conservatory, he worked as a pianist in one of the clubs. Soon he learns to write his first creative masterpieces. The first musical miniatures were written for the puppet and drama theater of the Latvian SSR. At the conservatory, he became the organizer of a pop sextet from his classmates. Compositions by young Pauls performed by a sextet and other professional singers began to sound more and more often on the Riga radio. The most famous songs of that time: "Winter Evening", "We met in March", "Old Birch". The pianist entered the conservatory twice, the second time - to the composition department, where he studied with Professor Ivanov.

Young Pauls began to give concerts throughout the Soviet country. Then he was entrusted with the Latvian Variety Orchestra. Here he writes music for the film "Three plus two" and collaborates with the poet Alfred Kruklis. Here are the famous compositions of the musician: "Old Harpsichord", "Drop of Rain", "Restless Pulse".

Political career

In the early 1990s, Pauls became interested in political issues. He passes to the deputies of the Supreme Council of Latvia. In 1990, the musician was elected to the people's deputies of the USSR. Then he becomes the head of the Ministry of Culture of the Latvian SSR and continues to head it after the independence of Latvia. Pauls left his post in 1993, having made this decision himself. He spent the next five years as a cultural adviser. In the late 90s, he created a political force in Latvia - the New Party, at the head of which he became. Then, for four years, Raimonds Pauls was a deputy from the People's Party and even ran for the President of Latvia, but at the last moment he recused himself. In 2009, the politician decides to no longer participate in the election race and devote himself only to art.

The activity of the musician today

For his great contribution to the art and development of the Baltic States in 2008, Raimonds Pauls was awarded the Baltic Star Prize. The main direction of the composer's work was the organization of a competition for young talents in Jurmala, which was called the "New Wave". Igor Krutoy and Alla Pugacheva became active assistants in organizing this event for the musician. For the spread of the Russian language in Latvia and for the strengthening of cultural ties between the two countries, the master was awarded. The award was presented to the artist by former President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev.

Today, the maestro continues to collaborate with the Choir of Boys. Darzin. The composer also continues to create music for new musicals and films. In 2014, the premiere of the musical All About Cinderella, which was sensational in Russia, took place. Many people know that it was Pauls who wrote the musical intro for the weather forecast in the Vremya program. Of the young performers with whom the master worked, Valeria, Kristina Orbakaite, Ani Lorak can be noted.

Soviet and Latvian composer, conductor, pianist. People's Artist of the USSR (1985). Minister of Culture of Latvia (1989 - 1993).

Raymond Pauls. Biography

Oyars Raymond Voldemarovich Pauls (Ojars Raimonds Pauls) was born on January 12, 1936 in Riga, the capital of Latvia, in the family of a glassblower and pearl embroiderer. In 1939 he had a sister Edite Paula-Wignere who later became a tapestry painter.

Passion for music was inherited by Raymond - his father played drums in the orchestra. He dreamed of teaching his son to play the violin, but the teacher at the music school was categorical: "The boy has no talent." Then Raymond chose the piano and, after graduating from the Riga Music School, entered the Latvian State Conservatory. I. Vitola.

As a student, he worked part-time in pop orchestras and restaurants, studying classical jazz. He played his first concert at the age of fifteen as part of an adult jazz band. The musicians wrote a receipt for his father: “They took Oyara. We'll return in the morning."

Raymond Pauls. creative way

Since 1964, he led the Riga Variety Orchestra, and ten years later - an instrumental ensemble "Modo". In the 1980s, the composer was known in wide circles as a well-known conductor and editor-in-chief of the musical broadcasts of the Latvian Radio. In 1986, Raymond founded the competition for young performers " Jurmala and took over as minister of culture. Pauls actively conducted political activities - in 1999 he even wanted to become the president of Latvia, but withdrew his candidacy shortly before the elections.

Music Raymond Pauls familiar to several generations. He broke into the Russian stage with songs "Blue linen" And "Leaves are yellow". In collaboration with the authors Robert Rozhdestvensky and Andrei Voznesensky, Raymond wrote more than one hit. Alla Pugacheva performed his compositions "A million scarlet roses", "Maestro", "Without me", and Valery Leontiev - "Butterflies in the Snow", "Cabaret", "Love the Pianist" and many others.

For many decades, the musician has been working closely with another famous Russian composer - Igor Krutoy, with whom in 2000 he organized the international music competition for young performers"New wave"), as well as his compatriot, singer Laima Vaikule.

Raisond Pauls: It seems to me that chance played a role in the situation with Lyme. She sang for a long time in a tavern and could not get out of there. Moreover, she was already quite a popular singer. Then Lyme sang only in English, imagining herself almost as Liza Minnelli. But each time she complained to me: “I can no longer sing in a tavern. It's smoky, there's booze every night." I gave her advice: "Try to sing at least one song in Russian or in Latvian." And, of course, the talent of Ilya Reznik played a role, who, being in a small quarrel with Pugacheva, decided to promote Laima. I played him some tunes and he listened to them and said, "I'm taking on this project." So Vaikule got the first crown number "It's not evening yet." Reznik pressured me to adapt many of my songs for the Russian listener. He had a special flair for hits.

The maestro was the author of music for a mass of pop hits, jazz compositions and melodies for films, including "Three plus two", "Robin Hood's Arrows", "Theater", "Long road in the dunes", "Aunts", " Death under sail», « Soviet history», « Doublet" and etc.

Pauls wrote the most popular songs in collaboration with Ilya Reznik, Janis Peters and Andrei Voznesensky. Raymond's songs were performed by such artists as Alla Pugacheva, Valery Leontiev, Laima Vaikule, Larisa Dolina, Renat Ibragimov, Oyar Greenbergs, Larisa Mondrus, Valeria , Edita Piekha , Sofia Rotaru , sisters Bazykina, Natalia Faustova, Roza Rymbaeva, Ludmila Senchina , Denis Ostrovsky, Mykola Gnatyuk, Dimir Taiganov, Andrey Mironov , Alexander Malinin , Tatyana Bulanova , Kristina Orbakaite , Valentina Legkostupova, Anne Veski and others, as well as the VIA "Merry Fellows", "Dalderi", the vocal quartet "Soviet Song", the variety orchestra of the Latvian Radio, the choir named after T. Kalnin, the French orchestra Caravelli, etc.

1961 - Laureate of the All-Union Review of Young Composers. 1967 - Honored Art Worker of the Latvian SSR. 1970 - Prize of the Lenin Komsomol of the Latvian SSR. 1976 - People's Artist of the Latvian SSR. 1977 - State Prize of the Latvian SSR. 1981 - Lenin Komsomol Prize for musical creativity for youth. 1985 - People's Artist of the USSR. 1994 - Latvian Grand Music Prize for the poetic performance "All Trees Are Given by God", the concert "Swing Time" and the CD "Christmas". 1995 - Commander of the Order of the Three Stars. 1997 - Order of the Polar Star, Knight I class (Sweden). 2000 - Latvian Grand Music Prize for life contribution. 2008 - international award for the development and strengthening of humanitarian ties in the countries of the Baltic region "Baltic Star"; Cross of Recognition. 2010 - Order of Honor; honorary member of the Latvian Academy of Sciences; honorary citizen of Jurmala. 2013 - Order of Honor for contribution to the strengthening and development of Armenian-Latvian cultural ties, as well as for great achievements in the world of musical art.

Raymond Pauls. Personal life

When the fame of the talented composer went beyond Latvia, Raymond had to tour throughout the Soviet Union. At one of the concerts in Odessa, he met a local beauty - a linguist Svetlana Epifanova, which was destined to become the muse of the maestro. They have been together for over half a century.

In 1962, the lovers had a daughter Anete, after which the composer once and for all got rid of his addiction to alcohol. Despite the fact that a bohemian atmosphere always reigned in their house, and Aneta grew up surrounded by the most famous pop stars, Raymond strictly forbade his daughter to be a singer. She got a job at the Latvian consulate in Moscow.

Both granddaughters Anna Maria(born 1989) and Monique-Yvonne(born 1994) Raymond Pauls they speak fluent Latvian and are seriously fond of music. The godfather of one of them was a close friend of the composer Igor Krutoy. In 1995, the maestro had a grandson Arthur Pauls.

Raimonds Pauls: I have a simple problem: today I can write ten, a hundred times better than before. But all the same, they will tell me: “This is not right, dear. That's what it was in the 80s - yes! But I am silent. Obviously, that's the way it is. This is a natural process. The Beatles also had a golden period, when they wrote all their best songs, and then - as cut off. And Picasso, after the "blue period", also did not have anything better. You cannot demand the impossible from a composer. My golden age is over. There will be no more what it was before, when at concerts the audience gave me apples in baskets, cakes, gloves, socks embroidered with national ornaments. And once they even brought a live pig. Lord, what was there! People expressed their support in this way, and it was very nice. But that's all behind us.

Raymond Pauls. Filmography

Actor
1986 How to become a star (pianist)
1984 Zudov, you're fired! (pianist)
1978 Theater / Teātris (pianist)

Participation in films
2011 Baltic house. Biography (documentary)
2009 Nobody wanted to forget. Budraitis, Banionis and others (documentary)
2009 Valery Leontiev. I haven't lived yet (documentary)
1996 Raymond Pauls. Work and reflection (Latvia, documentary)

1980 Melodies of the Baltic (documentary)

Composer
2015 Romeo and Juliet / Romeo n "Džuljeta
2013 Aunts
1997 Mills of Fate / Mills of Fate
1992 Doublet / Duplets
1991 Depression / Depresija
1985 Double trap
1984 Smallest among brothers
1983 Dream / Scapnis (animated)
1983 Merry Carousel (animated)
1982 Brief instruction in love / Īsa pamācība mīlēšanā
1982 Blues in the rain / Lietus blūzs
1981 White night limousine / Limuzīns Jāņu nakts krāsā
1981 Take care of this eternal light (documentary)
1980-1981 Long road in the dunes
1980 Spanish version
1980 Larks / Cīrulīši
1979 The story of the sad fate of Kerry (film-play)
1979 Unfinished Dinner
1979 Behind the glass door / Aiz stikla durbīm
1978 Theater / Teatris
1978 Open Country / Atklātā pasaule
1977 Gifts by phone / Dāvana pa telefonu
1977 Be my mother-in-law! / Kļūstiet mana sievasmāte!
1976 Death under sail
1976 Under the overturned moon / Zem apgāztā mēness
1975 Arrows of Robin Hood / Robina Huda bultas
1975 My friend is a frivolous person / Mans draugs - nenopietns cilvēks
1975 In the claws of the Black Cancer / Melnā vēža spīlēs
1973 A gift to a lonely woman / Dāvana vientuļai sievietei
1972 Devil's Servants at the Devil's Mill
1971 Moth Dance / Tauriņdeja
1971 Big amber / Lielais dzintars
1970 Servants of the Devil
1970 Klav - Martin's son
1969 The boys of the island of Livov / Līvsalas zēni
1967 235,000,000 (documentary)
1964 Far from autumn
1963 You are needed (short)

He played percussion instruments in the amateur orchestra "Mihavo", worked at the Iltsugem glass factory. From the age of three, Raymond attended kindergarten of the 1st Musical Institute, where the musical education of the future composer began.

In 1946 he entered the Musical Secondary Special School at the Latvian State Conservatory.

In 1953 he became a student of the performing department of the Latvian State Conservatory, from which he graduated in 1958. In 1962-1965 he studied composition at the Latvian Conservatory under the guidance of composer Janis Ivanov.

In parallel with his studies, Pauls worked as a pianist in variety orchestras of trade union clubs for road workers, medical workers and as an accompanist at the Philharmonic.

In 1958, he was accepted into the Riga Variety Orchestra, gave concerts in Georgia, Armenia, Ukraine.

Pauls was the Artistic Director of the Riga Variety Orchestra of the Latvian State Philharmonic. During this period, he wrote his first widely known songs to the words of Alfred Kruklis "We met in March", "Winter Evening", "Old Birch". In the 1960s, Pauls' first song record was released with the participation of Latvian performers.

In 1973-1978 he was the artistic director of the instrumental ensemble "Modo".

In 1982, he became the editor-in-chief of Latvian radio music broadcasts.

The song "Yellow Leaves" brought fame to the composer in 1975, over the next five years he created several more hits, among which were the songs "Pick up the music", "Dance on the drum" to the verses of Andrei Voznesensky.

Together with the songwriter Ilya Reznik, Pauls wrote the hit "Maestro", which was performed by Alla Pugacheva. Alla Pugacheva ("Old Clock", "Hey you up there", "It's time", etc.), Laima Vaikule ("It's not evening yet", "Vernissage", "Charlie" and others) became permanent performers of the songs of Pauls and Reznik .), Valery Leontiev ("Verooko", "After the holiday", "Hypodynamia", etc.).

At the same time, Pauls collaborated with Nikolai Zinoviev ("Green Light", "Dialogue", "Halley's Comet", etc.), Mikhail Tanich ("Attraction of Love", "Three Minutes", "Carousel", "Velvet Season") , Andrei Voznesensky ("Love the pianist", "Eclipse of the heart", etc.). The song "A Million Scarlet Roses" to the verses of Voznesensky performed by Alla Pugacheva was translated into many languages ​​of the world.

Pauls created the musicals "Sister Kerry", "Sherlock Holmes", "Leo. The Last Bohemia". He has written music for a number of performances, films and television films ("You are needed", "Servants of the Devil", "Robin Hood's Arrows", "Death Under Sailing", "Theater", "Long Road in the Dunes", "Double Trap" , "How to become a star", etc.). In the film "Theater" based on the novel of the same name by Somerset Maugham, the composer starred in several episodes, sitting at the piano.

He was the initiator of international competitions for young performers of popular music "Jurmala" and "New Wave".

He was elected a deputy of the Supreme Council of Latvia, and on March 26, 1989, a people's deputy of the USSR. In 1988, the composer became chairman of the Latvian State Committee for Culture, and from November 1989 to 1991 he headed the Ministry of Culture of the Latvian SSR.

After the collapse of the USSR, in 1991-1993, Pauls again served as Minister of Culture in the government of independent Latvia.

In 1993-1998 he was a cultural adviser to the President of Latvia Guntis Ulmanis.

In March 1998, Pauls became chairman of the "New Party" he created. On October 3, 1998, he was elected a deputy of the 7th Saeima (Parliament) of Latvia from the "New Party", worked in the commissions for education, culture and science, revision, protection of children's rights and in the Latvian National Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union; in 2002 and 2006 he was re-elected as a deputy of the Seimas already from the "People's Party".

In 1999, the "New Party" nominated Pauls for the presidency of Latvia. Having successfully passed all the preliminary rounds, Raimonds Pauls decided to withdraw his candidacy.

In February 2009, Raimonds Pauls decided to no longer participate in parliamentary and municipal elections. He announced his intention not to continue active political activities and to focus on music.

Raimonds Pauls - People's Artist of the Latvian SSR (1976), People's Artist of the USSR (1985).

Laureate of the Lenin Komsomol Prize of the Latvian SSR (1970), State Prize of the Latvian SSR (1977), Lenin Komsomol Prize (1981).

He is a commander of the Latvian Order of the Three Stars (1995) and was awarded the Latvian Cross of Recognition (2008). Among the awards of foreign states are the Swedish Order of the Polar Star (knight of the 1st class, 1997), the Armenian Order of Honor (2013).

He was awarded the Russian Order of Honor.

In 2000, Pauls received the Grand Latvian Music Prize. In 2008, the composer was awarded the International Prize for the development and strengthening of humanitarian ties in the countries of the Baltic region "Baltic Star".

Honorary Doctor of the Latvian Academy of Sciences.

In 2015, a jet aircraft assembled in Latvia was named after Pauls, which became the sixth in the Baltic Bees aerobatics group.

Raymond Pauls has been married to Svetlana Epifanova since 1961. In 1962, a daughter, Aneta, was born in the family.

The material was prepared on the basis of information from RIA Novosti and open sources

Ojars Raimonds Pauls (Latvian Ojārs Raimonds Pauls). Born on January 12, 1936 in Riga (Latvia). Soviet Latvian composer, conductor, pianist, politician. People's Artist of the USSR (1985). Minister of Culture of Latvia (1989-1993).

Raimonds Pauls was born on January 12, 1936 in Riga, in the Ilguciems microdistrict, in the family of Voldemar and Alma-Matilda Pauls, a glassblower and pearl embroiderer. His father was an amateur musician: he played percussion instruments in the amateur orchestra "Mihavo".

Raymond played the piano as a child. From the age of three he attended kindergarten of the 1st Musical Institute, where his musical education began. At the age of 10, he entered the music school at the Latvian Conservatory - the Riga Music School. E. Darzina. After graduating from school, in 1953-1958 he studied at the Latvian Conservatory. J. Vitola (now the Jazeps Vitola Latvian Academy of Music), with Professor G. Braun in piano.

From 1962 to 1965 he again studied at the Latvian Conservatory, already at the composition department under the guidance of J. Ivanov.

Already at that time he proved himself to be an excellent performer on the piano. In parallel with his studies, he worked as a pianist in variety orchestras of trade union clubs of road workers and medical workers, and as an accompanist at the Philharmonic. He played in restaurants, having studied jazz classics and modern songs. He wrote his first music for the Puppet Theater of the Latvian SSR and the Drama Theater of the Latvian SSR. A. Upita (now the Latvian National Theatre).

After graduating from the conservatory in 1958, he worked in the Riga Variety Orchestra of the Latvian Philharmonic, gave concerts in Georgia, Armenia, Ukraine, and abroad. From 1964 to 1971 he was the artistic director of this orchestra.

From 1973 to 1978 - artistic director of the instrumental ensemble "Modo".

From 1978 to 1982 - conductor of the Orchestra of Light and Jazz Music of the Latvian Radio and Television.

From 1982 to 1988 he was the editor-in-chief of musical broadcasts of the Latvian Radio.

In 1986, on the initiative of R. Pauls, the Jurmala International Competition for Young Pop Music Performers was organized, which lasted until 1992.

From 1994 to 1995 - artistic director and chief conductor of the jazz orchestra (big band) of the Latvian Radio and Television.

In 2002, together with I. Krutoy, he initiated the New Wave International Competition for Young Pop Music Performers (Jurmala).

Since 1967 he has been a member of the Union of Composers of the Latvian SSR. Member of the Union of Cinematographers of the Latvian SSR.

Member of the Supreme Soviet of the Latvian SSR (1985-1989), People's Deputy of the USSR (1989-1991).

Since 1988 - Chairman of the State Committee of the Latvian SSR for Culture, from 1989 to 1991 - Minister of Culture of the Latvian SSR. From 1991 to 1993 - Minister of Culture of Latvia in the office of I. Godmanis. From 1993 to 1998 - cultural adviser to the President of Latvia.

In 1998 he was elected to the Seimas on the list of the New Party, in 2002 and 2006 he was re-elected from the People's Party.

In 1999, he was nominated for the post of President of Latvia, but withdrew his candidacy.

Raymond Pauls collaborated a lot with Soviet and Russian pop artists, as well as poets, wrote music for several Soviet films. Many of the artists owe the composer their popularity and immortal hits. At the same time, Pauls' entourage has always noted the complex nature and isolation of Raymond Voldemarovich.

Ilya Reznik has been a partner of Raimonds Pauls for many years. The creative duet "Pauls-Reznik" owns the most famous hits of Alla Pugacheva, Valery Leontiev, Laima Vaikule, Irina Ponarovskaya, Tamara Gverdtsiteli, Masha Rasputina and others.

Cooperation between Raymond Pauls and Ilya Reznik began in 1980.

Alla Pugacheva and Raymond Pauls - Maestro

Over the 5 years of the existence of the Pauls-Reznik-Pugacheva tandem, only 10 songs were created, but all of them are so famous that today Alla Pugacheva is often associated with these songs. In addition to Ilya Reznik, other poets also wrote poems to Pauls' melodies. Andrey Voznesensky is among them. The poet wrote poems for the Latvian song of Pauls - "Dāvāja Māriņa". Thus was born the song "A Million Scarlet Roses", the most famous song of Alla Pugacheva.

During the creative collaboration between Pauls and Pugacheva, many believed that they had an affair. The song "Maestro", written by Raymond Pauls and Ilya Reznik, is actually dedicated to Konstantin Orbelyan, with whom Alla Pugacheva, according to rumors, had an affair at the beginning of her career. But the whole Soviet Union took the song differently and addressed Pugacheva's appeal to Pauls. In fact, there was no romance, as Pauls himself and Reznik say. In 1985, the cooperation between Pugacheva and Pauls gradually came to an end. The last song of the tandem was "Cause Time". In the late 1980s, there was a place for the resumption of cooperation between Raymond Pauls, Ilya Reznik and Alla Pugacheva. Several songs were written, but they no longer became all-Union hits.

The best songs of Raimonds Pauls

Family and personal life of Raymond Pauls:

Father - Voldemar Pauls, glass blower, drummer in the amateur orchestra "Mihavo"
Mother - Alma Matilda, pearl embroiderer
Sister - Edite Paula-Wignere (b. 1939), tapestry artist.

Wife - Svetlana Epifanova, linguist
Daughter - Aneta (b. 1962), graduated from LGITMIK with a degree in television director, lives with her family in Moscow
Granddaughters - Anna-Maria (b. 1989) Monique-Yvonne (b. 1994) and Arthur Pauls (b. 1995)

Raymond Pauls and Svetlana Epifanova

Songs by Raymond Pauls:

And you didn't know (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule
Alphabet (G. Rachs) - Ensemble "Kukushechka", Laima Vaikule
Angel (V. Dozortsev) - Maria Naumova
Pilot Angel (S. Patrushev) - Laima Vaikule
Ah, what music (M. Tanich) - Laima Vaikule
Butterflies in the snow (N. Zinoviev) - Valery Leontiev, Nora Bumbiere and Victor Lapchenok
Velvet season (M. Tanich) - Valery Leontiev, Rodrigo Fomins
Without me (I. Reznik) - Alla Pugacheva, Aya Kukule
White Church (V. Dozortsev) - Maria Naumova, Hariy Spanovskis
In an abandoned tavern (M. Tanich) - Laima Vaikule, Nora Bumbiere and Victor Lapchenok
Vernissage (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule in a duet with Valery Leontiev, Dainis Porgants
Verooka (I. Reznik) - Valery Leontiev, VIA "Dalderi"
Return (I. Reznik) - Alla Pugacheva, Aya Kukule
It doesn't matter (V. Serova) - Laima Vaikule
Where are you, love? (I. Reznik) - Sofia Rotaru, Aya Kukule
Hypodynamia (I. Reznik) - Valery Leontiev, Aya Kukule and Viktor Lapchenok
Years of wanderings (I. Reznik) - Valery Leontiev, Georges Siksna
Hollywood Samba (V. Dozortsev) - Laima Vaikule, Victor Lapchenok
City of Songs (I. Reznik) - Valery Leontiev, Victor Lapchenok
Let's get married (L. Rubalskaya) - Laima Vaikule and Jay Stever (Janis Stibelis), Nora Bumbiere and Victor Lapchenok
God bless! (E. Evtushenko) - Alexander Malinin, Margarita Viltsane
Give me luck (I. Reznik) - Mila Romanidi, Hariy Spanovskis and Janis Paukshtello
Two minutes (M. Tanich) - Laima Vaikule, Nora Bumbiere and Viktor Lapchenok
The girl from the restaurant (V. Dozortsev) - Maria Naumova, Khariy Spanovskis
Cause - time (I. Reznik) - Alla Pugacheva, Georges Siksna
Dialogue (N. Zinoviev) - Valery Leontiev, Aya Kukule
Rain in Jurmala (M. Tanich) - Maria Naumova, Normund Rutulis
Doo-bi-doo (G. Vitke) - Laima Vaikule
Duet (Musician) (A. Voznesensky) - Aya Kukule
If you leave (A. Dementiev) - Valery Leontiev, Ingus Petersons
It's not evening yet (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule
Castle in the sand (V. Dozortsev) - Laima Vaikule, Viktor Lapchenok
Eclipse of the heart (A. Voznesensky) - Andrey Mironov, Valery Leontiev, Viktor Lapchenok
Green Coast (V. Pelenyagre) - Laima Vaikule
Green Light (N. Zinoviev) - Valery Leontiev, Georges Siksna
Mirror (V. Dozortsev) - Laima Vaikule, Viktor Lapchenok
Golden wedding (I. Reznik) - Ensemble "Kukushechka", Georges Siksna
Sunny days have disappeared (R. Gamzatov, translated by E. Nikolaevskaya) - Valery Leontiev, Viktor Lapchenok
Cabaret (N. Denisov) - Valery Leontiev, Aya Kukule
Carousel (M. Tanich) - Valery Leontiev, Rodrigo Fomins
The king composes a tango (M. Tanich) - Laima Vaikule, Hariy Spanovskis and Inta Spanovska
Cuckoo (I. Reznik) - Jay Stever (Janis Stibelis) and Laima Vaikule, Maria Naumova and Normund Rutulis
Legend (Anno Domini) (N. Zinoviev) - Valery Leontiev, VIA "Dalderi"
The cure for love (V. Dozortsev) - Laima Vaikule, Nora Bumbiere and Victor Lapchenok
Stairway to Heaven (V. Dozortsev) - Laima Vaikule, Nora Bumbiere and Viktor Lapchenok
Lyme leaf fall - Vaikule, Richard Leper
Yellow Leaves (I. Shaferan) - Galina Bovina and Vladislav Lynkovsky, Nora Bumbiere
Moonlight blues (S. Patrushev) - Laima Vaikule
I love you (E. Sigova) - Jay Stever (Janis Stibelis)
Love has come (R. Rozhdestvensky) - Roza Rymbaeva, Renat Ibragimov, Olga Pirags, Lyudmila Senchina
Maestro (I. Reznik) - Alla Pugacheva, Mirdza Zivere
A moment is beautiful (I. Reznik) - Olga Pirags
Moments (R. Fomins) - Rodrigo Fomins
Summer Garden Melody (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule
A million scarlet roses (A. Voznesensky) - Alla Pugacheva, Aya Kukule, Larisa Mondrus
I would love a timid one (E. Sigova) - Jay Stever (Janis Stibelis), Normund Rutulis
I dream of Jurmala (E. Sigova) - Jay Stever (Janis Stibelis), Viktor Lapchenok
You can still save (E. Yevtushenko) - Intars Busulis, Anze Krause
Sea of ​​love (I. Reznik) - Group "Gems", Ieva Plaviniece
Sailor (M. Tanich) - Laima Vaikule
Muse (A. Voznesensky) - Valery Leontiev, Ingus Petersons
Musicians (V. Serova) - Laima Vaikule, Nora Bumbiere
Cover my shoulders with a jacket (M. Tanich) - Laima Vaikule
God created us for each other (E. Evtushenko) - Intars Busulis
Our city (O. Gadzhikasimov) - Renat Ibragimov, Mirdza Zivere and Aya Kukule
Do not hurry, dear (V. Pelenyagre) - Laima Vaikule
Don't slam the door (M. Tanich) - Laima Vaikule
New Year's attraction (I. Reznik) - Alla Pugacheva, Mirdza Zivere
The night is dark (V. Dozortsev) - Maria Naumova, Khariy Spanovskis
Night bonfire (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule, Rita Trenze
Lights (V. Serova) - Laima Vaikule
Organ in the night (D. Avotynya, translation by L. Azarova) - VIA "Ariel", Nora Bumbiere and Viktor Lapchenok
From Dawn to Dawn (V. Serova) - Laima Vaikule
Letter (V. Dozortsev) - Laima Vaikule, Margarita Viltsane
Under the New Age (A. Voznesensky) - Bēgšana, Aija Kukule
I'll pick up the music (A. Voznesensky) - Jaak Yoala, Ingus Petersons
Trains Laima Vaikule Vilcieni - Laima Vaikule
Fall in love with the pianist (A. Voznesensky) - Andrey Mironov, Valery Leontiev, Laima Vaikule
After the rain on Thursday (E. Sigova) - Jay Stever (Janis Stibelis), Ance Krause and Normunds Rutulis
After the holiday (I. Reznik) - Valery Leontiev, Georges Siksna
Singing mime (I. Reznik) - Valery Leontiev, Georges Siksna
The attraction of love (M. Tanich) - Valery Leontiev, Aya Kukule
Scarecrow (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule, Khary Spanovskis
The path to the light (I. Reznik) - Rodrigo Fomins
Rejoice (I. Reznik) - Alla Pugacheva, Mirdza Zivere
Wounds (E. Evtushenko) - Intars Busulis, Laima Vaikule
Roman Holiday (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule and Boris Moiseev
Cricket (Aspasia) (from the movie "Long Road in the Dunes") - Ensemble "Kukushechka"
Seventh Heaven (M. Tanich) - Maria Naumova
Angry song (R. Rozhdestvensky) - Sofia Rotaru, Aya Kukule, Credo group
Blue linen (A. Dmokhovsky) - Larisa Mondrus, Margarita Vilcane and Oyar Grinbergs
Snowfall (M. Tanich) - Maria Naumova, Khariy Spanovskis
Antique clock (I. Reznik) - Alla Pugacheva, Imants Skrastinsh
Old friend (E. Evtushenko) - Intars Busulis, Martins Ruskis
Old friend (V. Serova) - Laima Vaikule
Tango behind the wall (V. Dozortsev) - Laima Vaikule, Nora Bumbiere
Drum dance (A. Voznesensky) - Nikolay Gnatyuk
Telegram (M. Tanich) - Laima Vaikule, Nora Bumbiere
Three tickets (V. Dozortsev) - Maria Naumova, Hariy Spanovskis
Three cherries (V. Dozortsev) - Maria Naumova, Arturs Skrastinsh
You are the wind (E. Sigova) - Intars Busulis, Maria Naumova
Forget me (V. Dozortsev) - Laima Vaikule, Mirdza Zivere
Don't leave me (A. Voznesensky) - Valentina Legkostupova, Aya Kukule
You will love me (R. Rozhdestvensky) - Andrey Mironov, Viktor Lapchenok
Pedro (V. Pelenyagre) went to America - Laima Vaikule, Khariy Spanovskis
Colored dreams (M. Tanich) - Laima Vaikule, Margarita Viltsane
Charlie (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule, Ugis Rose
Man-tape recorder (A. Voznesensky) - Valery Leontiev, VIA "Dalderi"
Black Pearl (E. Sigova) - Jay Stever (Janis Stibelis), Maria Naumova
What attracts a bird - Laima Vaikule, Normund Rutulis
Go ahead (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule
Sherlock Holmes (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule
Wider circle (I. Reznik) - Renat Ibragimov, VIA "Ariel", Aya Kukule
I Believe (E. Sigova) - Jay Stever (Janis Stibelis), Cuckoo Ensemble
I went to Piccadilly (V. Pelenyagre) - Laima Vaikule, Khariy Spanovskis
I'm not with you yet (V. Dozortsev) - Laima Vaikule, Viktor Lapchenok
I draw (A. Dementiev) - Jaak Yoala, Georges Sixna
I do not say goodbye to you (I. Reznik) - Valery Leontiev
I Love You Too (V. Serova) - Laima Vaikule, Nora Bumbiere and Viktor Lapchenok
“Ah, if I could start life again” (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule
"White fogs" (L. Fadeev) - Bazykina sisters
"White Dream" (T. Pospelova) - Laima Vaikule
"Blond" (L. Rubalskaya) - Mila Romanidi
"In the style of a storm" (N. Zinoviev) - Valery Leontiev
“Suddenly” (A. Kovalev) - Jaak Yoala
"Wind until morning" (S. Patrushev) - Laima Vaikule
“All the problems are tired” (E. Shiryaev) - Mila Romanidi
“Everything will return” (I. Reznik) - Renat Ibragimov
"Granite City" (I. Reznik) - VIA "Merry Fellows"
“Let's forget sorrows” (M. Plyatskovsky) - Andrey Lichtenbergs
"Two Swifts" (A. Voznesensky) - Olga Pirags, Alla Pugacheva
"Two Stars" (D. Taiganov) - Dimir Taiganov
"Two" or "Old Friend" (I. Reznik) - Valentina Legkostupova, Alla Pugacheva
"Business Woman" (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule
"Rain Rings" (A. Kovalev) - Olga Pirags
"Rain" (A. Dementiev) - Renat Ibragimov
"For all sins" (V. Dozortsev) - Maria Naumova
“Beyond the threshold of happiness” or “There is happiness somewhere beyond the threshold” (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule, Mila Romanidi
"Curtain" (M. Tanich) - Valery Leontiev
"Winter's Tale" (S. Patrushev) - Laima Vaikule
"What is your name?" (S. Patrushev) - Laima Vaikule
“When your purse is full of holes” (L. Prozorovsky) - Viktor Lapchenok
Halley's Comet (N. Zinoviev) - Valery Leontiev
“Better leave” (E. Yevtushenko) - Intars Busulis
"Mambo" (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule
"Lighthouse" (M. Tanich) - Valery Leontiev
“Darling, goodbye” (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule
"My last Adam" (S. Patrushev) - Laima Vaikule
“There are many white birds above the ground” (L. Prozorovsky) - Aya Kukule
"Not a telephone conversation" (I. Reznik) - Stella Gianni and Ilya Reznik
"The frivolous gentleman" (V. Dozortsev) - Maria Naumova
"Never say never" (V. Dozortsev) - Maria Naumova
"Night Cafe" (I. Reznik) - Stella Gianni
"Special Friend" (A. Voznesensky) - Sofia Rotaru
"In memory of Nino Rota" (V. Dozortsev) - Laima Vaikule
"Song for an encore" (A. Voznesensky) - Alla Pugacheva
"Wildflowers" (A. Kovalev) - Lyudmila Senchina
"It's time for snowdrops" (A. Kovalev) - Edita Pieha
"Dedication" or "Dedication to friends" (M. Tanich) - Laima Vaikule
"Last March of Love" (E. Sigova) - Evgeny Shur
"Last request" (E. Yevtushenko) - Intars Busulis
“Almost like Riga” (M. Tanich) - Laima Vaikule
"Invitation to dance" (V. Dozortsev) - Laima Vaikule
“Go through life” (A. Kovalev) - Olga Pirags
“The curse of the century is haste” (E. Yevtushenko)
“Forgive me, waves” (A. Kovalev) - Valery Leontiev
“Farewell, farewell ...” (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule
"Phoenix Bird" (I. Reznik) - Tatyana Bulanova
"Jealousy" (E. Yevtushenko) - Intars Busulis
"Relatives" (I. Reznik) - VIA "Merry Fellows"
"The slowest train" (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule
"Heart" (A. Kovalev) - Jaak Yoala
"Silhouette of Love" (A. Kovalev) - Jaak Yoala
"Blue Sea" (I. Reznik) - Tatyana Bulanova
"Fiddler on the Roof" (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule
"A chance acquaintance" (E. Evtushenko) - Intars Busulis
“Completely different” (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule
"Sunny Bunny" (A. Kovalev) - Valentina Legkostupova
“Thank you, you are enemies” (I. Reznik) - Mila Romanidi
"Old Guitar"
"Old Friends" (R. Rozhdestvensky) - Andrey Mironov
"Old Umbrella" (E. Yevtushenko) - Intars Busulis
"Phone call" (A. Kovalev) - Jaak Yoala
"Tornado" (V. Dozortsev) - Maria Naumova
"Three minutes" (M. Tanich) - Valery Leontiev
“Tell me, please tell me” (I. Reznik) - Philip Kirkorov
"Amazing Camel" (I. Reznik) - the Cuckoo Ensemble
“Smart will not go uphill” (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule
"Tender Whisper" (E. Yevtushenko) - Intars Busulis
“This is my woman” (E. Yevtushenko) - Intars Busulis
“I have been waiting for you for so long” (I. Reznik) - Alla Pugacheva
“I pray for you” (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule
"I forgot your face" (I. Reznik) - VIA "Eolika"
“I love you more than nature” (E. Evtushenko) - Intars Busulis
“I smile” (A. Voznesensky) - Valentina Legkostupova
“I read your thoughts” (N. Zinoviev) - Larisa Dolina

Raimonds Pauls can rightfully be called the founder of Latvian pop music. It was thanks to him that the initially light genre turned into serious art. “A rare Latvian whose last name does not require comment,” wrote his friend and co-author poet Janis Peters in a book about Pauls. It so happened that on the territory of the ex-Union, an outstanding pianist, jazz player and composer became a symbol of his, now independent, republic. And his hits “A Million Scarlet Roses”, “Maestro”, “Vernissage”, “Old Clock”, “Green Light”, etc. performed by A. Pugacheva, V. Leontiev, L. Vaikule successfully passed the test of time and up to are still performed as an encore.

Ojar-Raimonds Pauls was born on January 12, 1936 in Riga, in the family of Voldemar and Alma-Matilda Pauls, a repairman and pearl embroiderer. His father was an amateur musician: he played percussion instruments in the amateur orchestra "Mihavo".

Voldemar Pauls dreamed that his son would become a professional violinist - “like Paganini”: Voldemar thought that musician's bread was easier and more enjoyable than work at a factory. He took his son to the professor and asked him to evaluate his musical abilities, but the "professional" was categorical: the child has nothing to do with music. However, criticism both then and later only strengthened Pauls' persistence and desire to prove the opposite. In 1939, his father brought Raymond to a kindergarten at the Riga Musical Institute. The teacher suggested: "Let's start not with the violin, but with the piano." Thus his fate was sealed.

Later, Raymond Voldemarovich himself did not advise his daughter Aneta to follow in his footsteps: “Being an outstanding musician requires not only talent ... Today, staying in the company of musical stars means hard labor. Daily work for 12-14 hours ... Not ready for this, do not make music. Nobody needs average and only good musicians today. Do some other decent work." Pauls himself has always been distinguished by incredible diligence: he was able to completely forget about food and sleep in the name of work ...

In 1939, Pauls' sister Edite was born, who later became a famous tapestry artist. Her works are exhibited in many countries of the world, and one is constantly in the UN. In 1946, Pauls entered the E. Darzin Music School. At the age of 14 he became interested in jazz. And since access to modern world music at that time was extremely limited (there were no tape recorders or musical notes), Pauls drew information from the Voice of America radio: he listened to all Music USA programs and wrote notes from memory.

In 1953, Pauls entered and in 1958 graduated from the State Conservatory of the Latvian SSR in piano under the guidance of Professor Herman Braun, and from 1962 to 1965 studied composition with the composer Janis Ivanov. At the same time, he worked as a pianist in the variety orchestras of the Club of Road Workers, Medical Workers and as an accompanist at the Philharmonic, he was especially interested in the “light” genre, in which he outlined his serious path. In 1963-1971 he was the head of the REO (Riga Variety Orchestra). Even then, Raymond Voldemarovich wrote his first songs to the words of Alfred Kruklis - "Winter Evening", "We Met in March", "Old Birch", - melodic, sincere, light and lyrical.

Already in the 1960s, Pauls' first song record with the participation of Latvian performers was released, which was sold out in a circulation of half a million copies and then replicated five more times. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Pauls gave 90 sold-out author's concerts. He was the first to draw the attention of the public to local performers, before that in Latvia they listened mainly to German pop music.

On August 31, 1961, Pauls married Svetlana Epifanova (her specialty is a linguist). Their daughter Aneta (born in 1962) graduated from LGITMIK with a degree in television directing and married SAS airline manager Marek Petersen. Aneta had two daughters - Anna-Maria (born in 1989) and Monique-Yvonne (born in 1994).

In the early 1970s, Pauls created the VIA Modo, which toured throughout the Union with incredible success. One of the compositions of this group leaked through the "Iron Curtain" and occupied the top lines in the Western charts. In 1976, Pauls wrote his first musical, Sister Kerry, based on Theodore Dreiser. A music video was created based on the musical, which received the Golden Amber award at an international competition in Poland. Subsequently, "Sister Kerry" was staged in many theaters of the Union. In 2000, the Russian version of the musical was staged by the Russian Drama Theater in Riga. Since 1978, Pauls worked as the chief music editor at the State Committee of the Latvian SSR for Television and Radio Broadcasting, directed and conducted the orchestra and radio choir.

In Russia, Maestro's fame began with the songs "Blue Linen" (performed by L. Mondrus) and "Yellow Leaves" (performed by N. Bumbiera, V. Lapchenok, O. Grinberg, M. Vilcane). In the mid-1970s, Pauls began collaborating with Robert Rozhdestvensky and Andrey Voznesensky, who for the first time agreed to write poetry to finished music. The compositions of Pauls and Voznesensky "I'll Pick Up the Music" (performed by J. Yola) and "Dance on the Drum" (performed by N. Gnatyuk) received prizes at music festivals in Sopot.

In the mid-1970s, Pauls was offered cooperation by songwriter Ilya Reznik: he wrote Russian lyrics for several of the composer's songs, previously performed in Latvian. Their first joint hit was "Maestro" performed by Alla Pugacheva - the song sounded on all radio stations of the Union several times a day. Alla Pugacheva ("Old Clock", "Hey you up there", "Without Me", "It's time", "Return", "I've been waiting for you for so long", etc.), Laima Vaikule ("It's not evening yet", "Vernissage", "Charlie", etc.), Valery Leontiev ("Verooko", "I don't say goodbye to you", "Years of wandering", "Singing mime", "After the holiday", "Hypodynamia", etc.).

At the same time, Pauls collaborates with Zinoviev ("Green Light", "Dialogue", "Halley's Comet", etc.), M. Tanich ("Attraction of Love", "Three Minutes", "Carousel", "Velvet Season", "Mayak"), continues cooperation with A. Voznesensky ("Love the pianist", "Muse", "Eclipse of the heart", "Man-tape recorder", etc.). Their song "A Million Scarlet Roses" (performed by A. Pugacheva) was such a success that it was soon translated into many languages ​​of the world. For example, in Japan, this hit is still considered a symbol of a love song, it is included in the repertoire of all karaoke.

The children's ensemble "Kukushechka", which the composer created at the time of the Latvian Radio, also gained wide popularity throughout the Union. Pauls for the first time radically changed the rhythm of children's songs, and the young performers from the Cuckoo performed jazz syncopations better than many professional singers. The composition of this group “Golden Wedding” (words by I. Reznik) still enjoys special love on the territory of the ex-USSR.

The composer successfully collaborates with Latvian singers and jazz performers, writes music for many theatrical productions based on Blaumanis, Sheridan, Ibsen (the play "Brand" received the first prize for music at the theater festival in Yugoslavia), etc. and films - "Long road in the dunes" , "Theater", etc.

In 1985, Raymond Pauls was awarded the title of People's Artist of the USSR. In 1986, the first pop competition for young performers took place, for the creation of which Pauls fought in all instances for 15 years. The composer headed the jury of this annual event (it took place six times), which gave rise to many now famous singers: Valeria, Azize, Pavliashvili, Malinina, etc. In 1986, the director of the Melodiya company presented the composer with two "golden disk" - for the piano album "My Way" and the song collection "We are visiting Maestro".

In 1985, Pauls was elected a deputy of the Supreme Council of Latvia, and on March 26, 1989, a people's deputy of the USSR. On May 25, 1989, deputies from the Baltic republics for the first time carried out a “vote with their feet”: they defiantly left the meeting room when they did not want to include the issue of recognizing the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact on the agenda. On September 6, 1991, Mikhail Gorbachev officially signed the order on the resignation of people's deputies from Latvia in connection with the recognition of the independence of the Baltic republics.

In November 1989, Pauls became head of the Latvian Ministry of Culture. For the first time in the history of the USSR, a non-party (Pauls was never a member of the party) minister was approved. The message about this historic event went to 62 countries of the world. In 1991, Pauls was again elected Minister of Culture in the first government of independent Latvia. And in 1993 - and in the second government. But already at the beginning of his term, Pauls left the post for reasons of principle, when the parliament raised the question of abolishing the Ministry of Culture and combining it with other government organizations. (This proposal was never approved later.)

As Minister of Culture, Pauls and his team were involved in the development of the contract system in theaters and the reorganization of the theater system. The main theaters were identified, which should be subsidized by the state, the rest had to fight for life on their own. The building of the National Opera was closed for repairs for five years. They built the Puppet Theatre, the Valmiera Drama Theatre, etc. Such decisive actions of the Minister of Culture caused a lot of controversy among the intelligentsia, but, as it turned out later, in most cases he was right.

From 1993 to 1998, Pauls served as cultural adviser to the President of the Republic of Latvia, Guntis Ulmanis. During the visit of the Latvian delegation to Denmark in 1997, the Maestro was awarded the kingdom's award - the Order of the Polar Star of the 1st degree. In the same years, Pauls worked as a choir accompanist at the Latvian Radio, with the children's ensemble "Kukushechka", wrote song cycles and concert programs. He created music for the performances "Wild Swans", "The Count of Monte Cristo", "The Green Maiden", etc., several programs for L. Vaikule ("I went to Piccadilly", "Lyme in the style of tango", etc.). His concert in memory of Gershwin at the National Opera was especially successful: “Rhapsody in the Blues Style” (Pauls performed his piano version), the one-act opera “Porgy and Bess” with the participation of professional jazz performers ...

On March 14, 1998, Pauls resumed his political activity - he became the chairman of the New Party created by him and his associates, explaining his step with the desire to "promote young progressive-minded people into the leadership of the country." On October 3, 1998, Pauls was elected a deputy of the 7th Saeima of the Republic of Latvia - he works in the commissions "on education, culture and science", "revision", "protection of children's rights" and in the Latvian National Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union ... In 1999, the New Party nominates Pauls as a candidate for the post of President of the country. Having successfully passed all the preliminary rounds and reached the final, Raymond Voldemarovich, unexpectedly for many, left the race, making his shortest official speech: “Having weighed all the pros and cons, I decided to withdraw my candidacy. Thanks to all those who supported me."

On his 65th birthday, which coincided with the 50th anniversary of his creative activity, Raymond Pauls, among many other congratulations, received a telegram from Russian President Vladimir Putin: famous performers, many of whom owe their popularity to you. And today, despite the time, years and distance, you are remembered and loved in Russia.”

Lives and works in Riga.