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Heli Lääts

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Heli Lääts
Lääts in 1974.
Lääts in 1974.
Background information
Also known asHeli Saul
Born(1932-06-24)24 June 1932
Kuressaare,Saare County,Estonia
Died16 February 2018(2018-02-16)(aged 85)
Tallinn,Harju County,Estonia
GenresEstrada,chamber,pop,polka,jazz
Occupation(s)Singer
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active1955– 2006
LabelsMelodiya
Lääts at theTallinn Song Festival Groundsin 1974.

Heli Lääts(24 June 1932 – 16 February 2018)[1]was anEstoniansinger (mezzo-soprano) whose career began in the mid-1950s. Lääts predominantly performedestrada,chamber,pop,polka,andjazzmusic.

Early life and education

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Heli Lääts was born inKuressaare,on the island ofSaaremaato Vladimir and Julia Lääts (néeAllik). She was the youngest of three children and only girl. Her eldest brother was chemistKoit Lääts(1928–2008) and her other brother was physicist Valdur Lääts (1929–2002). She spent her early years in the village ofSauvere.Following theGerman occupation of Estonia during World War II,Lääts' mother, a schoolteacher, was executed by German soldiers by gunshot on 18 November 1941 in areprisal killingof villagers for the assassination of a German military officer. After the death of her mother, she was raised by her aunt Anna. Her father later remarried.[2]

Lääts later attended primary and secondary schools inKivimäeandRahumäe.In 1950, while contemplating attending theUniversity of Tartuto study physical education, she was singing in a mixed-choir under the direction of Joosep Aavik. The choir traveled to Tallinn for theXIII Estonian Song Festivaland Aavik introduced Lääts to singerAleksander Arder,who, after hearing Lääts sing, asked her why she didn't wish to train as a singer. After a year of student teaching in Kuressaare, she changed her plans and enrolled at the Tallinn State Conservatory (now, theEstonian Academy of Music and Theatre) inTallinn,graduating in 1955. Her first year at the Conservatory, she was under the direction of singerGeorg Ots.[3]

In 1960, Lääts graduated with a degree in singing from the Conservatory, having studied underTiit Kuusik.She was the first Estonian singer to receive a qualification in estrada and chamber singing.[4]

Career

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In 1956, Lääts began to perform as an estrada singer with the Emil Laansoo Ensemble and the Eesti Raadio Estrada Orchestra. Estrada, during theSovietperiod, usually referred to performers of traditionalpopular music(although the actual term Estrada (stage) is much wider). Estrada music was generally written by professional composers and poets. The songs were designed for vocal prowess, had clear, catchy melodies, and accompaniment is given to a secondary role.[5]

In 1957, Lääts joined many other estrada performers and the ensemble Metronoom to participate in the World Festival of Youth and Students in Moscow. In 1958, Lääts was the first Estonian singer to win a title in aSoviet Union-wide estrada contest.[6]

From 1957 until 1961, Lääts sang in the Eesti Raadio Women's Trio, and from 1957 until 1987, she performed as a soloist with the Estonian SSR State Philharmonic (now, theEstonian National Symphony Orchestra). From 1966 until 1974, she was employed as a vocal teacher at the Philharmonic's estrada studio.[7]

During her career, Lääts also recorded and performed a number of children's songs. She also released several albums, recorded music forEesti Raadioand recorded songs withMikk Mikiver,Uno Loop,andJaak Joala.Some of her best-known songs in Estonia include "Tsirkus," "Kaunid baleriinid," "Oma laulu ei leia ma üles," "Kevad ja päike," and "Tänav, pink ja puu."[8]

Personal life and death

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Heli Lääts was married to conductor and pianistPeeter Saulfor fifty-six years. Prior to their marriage inKadrinain 1958, they had been in a relationship for two years. Saul died in 2014. The couple had two sons, Indrek and Kaarel. Lääts died of natural causes at age 85 on 16 February 2018 in Tallinn.[9]She was buried in Tallinn'sMetsakalmistucemetery.[10]

Awards and recognition

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Lääts was awarded the title of Merited Artist of theEstonian SSRin 1970 and People's Artist of the Estonian SSR in 1976.[11]In 1980, she received theOrder of the Badge of Honour.In 2004, she was awarded theOrder of the White Star,V Class. That same year, she won one of four Estonian National Culture Foundation Lifetime Achievement Awards.[12]

References

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  1. ^Eesti Teatri- ja MuusikamuuseumIn Memoriam Heli Lääts (1932–2018)16 February 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  2. ^ŐhtulehtArchived19 February 2018 at theWayback MachineArmastatud lauljatar Heli Lääts oma viimasel eluaastal: „Olen viimaks ometi endaga rahu teinud.16 February 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  3. ^ŐhtulehtArchived19 February 2018 at theWayback MachineArmastatud lauljatar Heli Lääts oma viimasel eluaastal: „Olen viimaks ometi endaga rahu teinud.16 February 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  4. ^news.err.eeSinger Heli Lääts dies at 8516 February 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  5. ^MacFadyen, MacFadyen (2002)Estrada?!: Grand Narratives and the Philosophy of the Russian Popular Song since PerestroikaMcGill-Queen's University Press.ISBN978-0-77-3523715
  6. ^Säärte HaalHeli Lääts: 24.06.1932–16 February 201816 February 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  7. ^news.err.eeSinger Heli Lääts dies at 8516 February 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  8. ^news.err.eeSinger Heli Lääts dies at 8516 February 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  9. ^news.err.eeSinger Heli Lääts dies at 8516 February 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  10. ^HaudiHeli Lääts (kodanikunimi alates 1958.a. Heli Saul) laulja.Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  11. ^Lääne EluSuri laulja Heli Lääts16 February 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  12. ^uudis.euSuri armastatud laulja Heli Lääts16 February 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
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