On March 25, 105 years passed since the birth of Estonian choral conductor, composer and pedagogue Richard Ritsing (1903-1994). Several events dedicated to Ritsing’s anniversary will take place in his hometown Tartu.
On March 28 at 7 p.m. concert „Richard Ritsing 105” will take place in Tartu University Assembly Hall. Performers will be choirs that have worked under the Maestro’s conducting: Mixed Choir of Vanemuise Society, Tartu Male Choir of Estonian Male Singing Society, Academic Female Choir of Tartu University, Alumnae Choir of Academic Female Choir of Tartu University and Tartu Academic Male Choir. The programme consists of works by Richard Ritsing and his contemporaries. Ritsing will be reminded by his students, colleagues and singers, Heivi Pullerits from the Tartu City Museum will give a lecture „Choral conductor Richard Ritsing”. Before the concert, Tartu Cultural Fpundation Richard Ritsing Stipendiums will be given to students of Tartu Music School: Maarja Helstein, Kristiina Kodas and Liisi Kams. Concert is organised by Tiigi Club House and Tartu Academic Male Choir, artistic director is Alo Ritsing.
Tartu City Museum has put together an exhibition „Richard Ritsing and Song Celebrations” that can be seen at the time of the concert in the main building of Tartu University and later at the Tartu Song Festival Museum.
On April 12 at 5 p.m. the 14th Tartumaa Female Choirs’ Song Day „Forget-me-not” will start in Tartu University Assembly Hall. The Song Day is dedicated to the 105th anniversary of Richard Ritsing, 100th anniversary of Gustav Ernesaks and 80th anniversary of Heino Kaljuste. Artistic director is Ülle Sakarias.
Richard Ritsing studied at the Tartu Higher Music School (1919-1924) and Tartu University philosophy facutly (1923-1929). He improved his skills (mailny in conducting) in Berlin and Warsaw and obtained the profession of music teacher. He has written choral songs and solo songs, instrumental music for solo instruments, ensembles and orchestras. Ritsing has published articles and essays on music, conducted several choirs and orchestras, worked as a pedagogue. He has been a general director of national song festivals and the initiator of the idea and the tradition of the student song festival (first held in 1956 in Tartu). In 1983, Richard Ritsing was given the title of Honour Citizen of City of Tartu.
Agnes Toomla