Gennadi Podelski

April 2, 1927 Leningrad – November 10, 1983 Tallinn
Buried in Tallinn Forest Cemetery
Member of the Estonian Composers' Union since 1957

Composer, pianist and ensemble leader Gennadi Podelski graduated from the Tallinn State Conservatory in composition under Eugen Kapp in 1954. He worked as a director of Working People Culture House (1946–1948) and pianist-concertmaster of Estonian SSR State Philharmonic (1946–1957).

In the 1940ies, he played in ensembles Kuldne Seitse and Rütmikud, from 1956–1958 he was a musical director of ensemble Meloodia. He was one of the founders of ensemble Laine (1960) and its artistic director (till 1970 and from 1981). 

Most of Gennadi Podelski’s oeuvre is vocal music, including over 500 popular songs. A number of songs have won prizes at song contests, performed in song celebrations and gained popularity all over the USSR.

Gennadi Podelski has been ascribed the titles of the Estonian SSR Merited Worker of Art (1962) and Estonian SSR People’s Artist (1980). He has deserved Literature and Art Award of the Estonian Leninist Communist Youth League (1968) and Estonian SSR Music Award (1979, 1981).

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