Jüri-Ruut Kangur

Jüri-Ruut Kangur has studied choir conducting at Georg Ots Tallinn Music School under the guidance of Hirvo Surva and composition with Lembit Veevo (1991–1994). In 1998 Kangur graduated from Estonian Music Academy under the guidance of Ants Soots (conducting), Jüri Alperten (orchestral conducting) and Raimo Kangro (composition).

Jüri-Ruut Kangur has been founder and conductor of several choirs and orchestras including choirmaster of Revalia Boys’ Choir (1994–1996), founder and principal conductor of Haapsalu Music Schools' Theatre (1994–1999) and Haapsalu City Orchestra (1996–2004), conductor of Mixed Choir of Estonia Society (1999–2001) and Estonian National Opera Boys' Choir (2000–2002). In addition he has been in 1997–2005 head of MTÜ Haapsalu Music Theatre (later MTÜ Haapsalu Music Society, currently MTÜ ÜENSO), head of choir conducting department of Georg Ots Tallinn Music School (2001–2003) and conductor of schools’ mixed choir and symphony orchestra (2002–2003). He has also organized youth orchestra's collabotative projects in Netherlands, Turkey, Germany, Norway and Finland.

Jüri-Ruut Kangur has been participant and organizer of several festivals and master courses including festival „Viiulimängud“ summer courses (1995–2004) and has participated with his orchestras at several festivals in Europe and Republic of South Africa. In 2005 Jüri-Ruut Kangur also gave masterclass at Republic of South Africa, where he conducted his work Eesti lauliku lugu. In 2012 Kangur was main organizer of IX European Orchestra Festival in Tallinn.

Currently Jüri-Ruut Kangur is conductor of Estonian National Youth Symphony Orchestra, which was founded by Kangur in 1995 and Nõmme Music School Symphony Orchestra, founded also by him in 2003. Since 2009 Kangur is also organizer of The Järvi International Masterclass since 2009 and Pärnu Music Festival and Järvi Academy since 2011. Kangur has also participated at several Estonian Dance and Song Celebrations, he was principal conductor of symphony orchestras at X Youth Song and Dance Celebration „Ilmapuu lävel“  („On the Doorstep of the World Tree“) in 2007 and at XI Youth Song and Dance Celebration „Maa ja ilm“ („The Wide World Begins in a Small Land") and will be also at XXVI Song Celebration „Aja puudutus. Puudutuse aeg“ (“Touched by Time. The Time to Touch”). On the programme of X Youth Song and Dance Celebration was also song Veskimees orchestrated by Jüri-Ruut Kangur (composer Henn Rebane, lyrics Hando Runnel).

Jüri-Ruut Kangur has composed vocal-symphonic large-scales as Requiem, Magnificat, oratorio Eesti lauliku lugu, parody oratorio Suremata kuulsus Salomon Vesipruul, musicals Joona saatmine and Klounid klassiekskursioonil. He has also written several orchestral and choir works. Kangur’s music is versatile and richly melodic, with colorful harmony, frequently minimalistic and meditative by mode of expression. In 2000 Kangur’s work In Paradisum won first prize at republican male and boys choir’s contest. His music has been performed in Europe (Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, Island, Portugal, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Hungary, france etc.), USA and also Republic of South Africa. In addition Kangur has orchestrated over 100 works including Marian Koval’s children opera The Wolf and Seven Kids, Charles Auguste de Bériot’s Scene de Ballet, also children songs and film music.

Jüri-Ruut Kangur is founder member of Association of Estonian Choral Conductors, since 2007 he belongs to European Association of Youth Orchestras and since 2009 to European Orchestra Federation. Since 2010 Jüri-Ruut Kangur is chairman of Estonian Symphony Orchestras Association, in addition chairman of the MTÜ ÜENSO. He has compiled and written several books including „Poistekoor Ravalia 40“ („Boys’ Choir Revalia 40“, 1995), „Haapsalu Muusikateater 1994–1999“ („Haapsalu Music Theatre 1994–1999“, 1999).

Jüri-Ruut Kangur has won Gustav Ernesaks scholarship in 1996. In 2007 he was awarded Annual Prize of the Estonian Cultural Endowment for Music, in 2009 Riho Päts' scholarship and in 2012 Annual Prize of Estonian Cultural Endowment for Folk Art.

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