Eri Klas | |
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 Klas in 2012 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | (1939-06-07)June 7, 1939 Tallinn, Estonia |
| Died | February 26, 2016(2016-02-26) (aged 76) Tallinn, Estonia |
| Genres | Classical |
| Occupation | Conductor |
Eri Klas (7 June 1939 – 26 February 2016) was anEstonian conductor.
Klas was born into aJewish family inTallinn. His mother was pianistAnna Klas. His father, Eduard Klas, was killed in 1941, during theHolocaust.[1] Klas mainly worked in the Nordic scene, but might be best remembered for his work leading the now defunctNetherlands Radio Symphony Orchestra. From 1999 to 2001 Klas was music advisor to the Israel SinfoniettaBeersheba,Israel.
He premieredAlfred Schnittke's 1st Cello Concerto (Munich Philharmonic, 1986) and Peer Gynt ballet (Hamburg State Opera, 1989), and worked on the diffusion of the Estonian symphonic repertory.
Klas was also active as a pedagogue, holding professorships at theSibelius Academy (1993–97) and theEstonian Academy of Music and Theatre (1997 until his death), where he received an honorary doctorate.
Klas was decorated with theOrder of the Lion of Finland (1992, on the occasion of Finland's 75thIndependence Day) and the EstonianOrder of the White Star. He was aUNICEFGoodwill Ambassador. In 1986, he was named thePeople's Artist of the USSR. An Estonian lightweight junior boxing champion, he was also a member of theEstonian Olympic Committee.
From 1972 until 1991, he was married to ballet dancer, singer and actressÜlle Ulla.[2]
| Cultural offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Chief Conductor, Aarhus Symphony Orchestra 1991–1996 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | music advisor, Israel Sinfonietta Beersheba 1999–2001 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Chief Conductor, Netherlands Radio Symphony 1996–2003 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by Tuomas Ollila | Chief Conductor,Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra 1998–2006 | Succeeded by |
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