Ojars Raimonds Pauls (Latvian Ojārs Raimonds Pauls). Born on January 12, 1936 in Riga (Latvia). Soviet Latvian composer, conductor, pianist, politician. People's Artist of the USSR (1985). Minister of Culture of Latvia (1989-1993).
Raimonds Pauls was born on January 12, 1936 in Riga, in the Ilguciems microdistrict, in the family of Voldemar and Alma-Matilda Pauls, a glassblower and pearl embroiderer. His father was an amateur musician: in the amateur orchestra "Mikhavo" he played percussion instruments.
Raymond played the piano as a child. With three years attended Kindergarten 1st Musical Institute, where his musical education began. At the age of 10 he entered music school at the Latvian Conservatory - the Riga Music School. E. Darzina. After graduating from school, in 1953-1958 he studied at the Latvian Conservatory. J. Vitola (now the Jazeps Vitola Latvian Academy of Music), with Professor G. Braun in piano.
From 1962 to 1965 he again studied at the Latvian Conservatory, already at the composition department under the guidance of J. Ivanov.
Already at that time he proved himself to be an excellent performer on the piano. In parallel with his studies, he worked as a pianist in variety orchestras of trade union clubs of road workers and medical workers, as an accompanist at the Philharmonic. He played in restaurants, having studied jazz classics and modern songs. He wrote his first music for the Puppet Theater of the Latvian SSR and the Drama Theater of the Latvian SSR. A. Upita (now the Latvian National Theatre).
After graduating from the conservatory in 1958, he worked in the Riga Variety Orchestra of the Latvian Philharmonic, gave concerts in Georgia, Armenia, Ukraine, and abroad. From 1964 to 1971 he was the artistic director of this orchestra.
From 1973 to 1978 - artistic director of the instrumental ensemble "Modo".
From 1978 to 1982 - conductor of the Light and jazz music Latvian Radio and Television.
From 1982 to 1988 he was the editor-in-chief of musical broadcasts of the Latvian Radio.
In 1986, on the initiative of R. Pauls, the Jurmala International Competition for Young Pop Music Performers was organized, which lasted until 1992.
From 1994 to 1995 - Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Jazz Orchestra (Big Band) of the Latvian Radio and Television.
In 2002, together with I. Krutoy, he initiated the International Competition for Young Pop Music Performers " New wave"(Jurmala).
Since 1967 he has been a member of the Union of Composers of the Latvian SSR. Member of the Union of Cinematographers of the Latvian SSR.
Member of the Supreme Soviet of the Latvian SSR (1985-1989), People's Deputy of the USSR (1989-1991).
Since 1988 - Chairman of the State Committee of the Latvian SSR for Culture, from 1989 to 1991 - Minister of Culture of the Latvian SSR. From 1991 to 1993 - Minister of Culture of Latvia in the office of I. Godmanis. From 1993 to 1998 - cultural adviser to the President of Latvia.
In 1998 he was elected to the Seimas on the list of the New Party, in 2002 and 2006 he was re-elected from the People's Party.
In 1999, he was nominated for the post of President of Latvia, but withdrew his candidacy.
Raymond Pauls collaborated a lot with Soviet and Russian pop artists, as well as poets, wrote music for several Soviet films. Many of the artists owe the composer their popularity and immortal hits. At the same time, Pauls' entourage has always noted the complex nature and isolation of Raymond Voldemarovich.
Ilya Reznik has been a partner of Raimonds Pauls for many years. The creative duet "Pauls-Reznik" owns the most famous hits of Alla Pugacheva, Valery Leontiev, Laima Vaikule, Irina Ponarovskaya, Tamara Gverdtsiteli, Masha Rasputina and others.
Cooperation between Raymond Pauls and Ilya Reznik began in 1980.
Alla Pugacheva and Raymond Pauls - Maestro
Over the 5 years of the existence of the Pauls-Reznik-Pugacheva tandem, only 10 songs were created, but all of them are so famous that today Alla Pugacheva is often associated with these songs. In addition to Ilya Reznik, other poets also wrote poems to Pauls' melodies. Andrey Voznesensky is among them. The poet wrote poems for the Latvian song of Pauls - "Dāvāja Māriņa". Thus was born the song "A Million Scarlet Roses", the most famous song of Alla Pugacheva.
During creative cooperation Pauls and Pugacheva, many believed that they had an affair. The song "Maestro", written by Raymond Pauls and Ilya Reznik, is actually dedicated to Konstantin Orbelyan, with whom Alla Pugacheva was rumored to have an affair at the beginning of her career. But the whole Soviet Union took the song differently and addressed Pugacheva's appeal to Pauls. In fact, there was no romance, as Pauls himself and Reznik say. In 1985, the cooperation between Pugacheva and Pauls gradually came to an end. The last song of the tandem was "Cause Time". In the late 1980s, there was a place for the resumption of cooperation between Raymond Pauls, Ilya Reznik and Alla Pugacheva. Several songs were written, but they no longer became all-Union hits.
Best songs Raymond Pauls
Family and personal life of Raymond Pauls:
Father - Voldemar Pauls, glass blower, drummer in the amateur orchestra "Mihavo"
Mother - Alma Matilda, pearl embroiderer
Sister - Edite Paula-Wignere (b. 1939), tapestry artist.
Wife - Svetlana Epifanova, linguist
Daughter - Aneta (b. 1962), graduated from LGITMIK with a degree in television director, lives with her family in Moscow
Granddaughters - Anna-Maria (b. 1989) Monique-Yvonne (b. 1994) and Arthur Pauls (b. 1995)
Raymond Pauls and Svetlana Epifanova
Songs by Raymond Pauls:
And you didn't know (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule
Alphabet (G. Rachs) - Ensemble "Kukushechka", Laima Vaikule
Angel (V. Dozortsev) - Maria Naumova
Pilot Angel (S. Patrushev) - Laima Vaikule
Ah, what music (M. Tanich) - Laima Vaikule
Butterflies in the snow (N. Zinoviev) - Valery Leontiev, Nora Bumbiere and Viktor Lapchenok
Velvet season (M. Tanich) - Valery Leontiev, Rodrigo Fomins
Without me (I. Reznik) - Alla Pugacheva, Aya Kukule
White Church (V. Dozortsev) - Maria Naumova, Hariy Spanovskis
In an abandoned tavern (M. Tanich) - Laima Vaikule, Nora Bumbiere and Victor Lapchenok
Vernissage (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule in a duet with Valery Leontiev, Dainis Porgants
Verooka (I. Reznik) - Valery Leontiev, VIA "Dalderi"
Return (I. Reznik) - Alla Pugacheva, Aya Kukule
It doesn't matter (V. Serova) - Laima Vaikule
Where are you, love? (I. Reznik) - Sofia Rotaru, Aya Kukule
Hypodynamia (I. Reznik) - Valery Leontiev, Aya Kukule and Viktor Lapchenok
Years of wanderings (I. Reznik) - Valery Leontiev, Georges Siksna
Hollywood Samba (V. Dozortsev) - Laima Vaikule, Victor Lapchenok
City of Songs (I. Reznik) - Valery Leontiev, Victor Lapchenok
Let's get married (L. Rubalskaya) - Laima Vaikule and Jay Stever (Janis Stibelis), Nora Bumbiere and Viktor Lapchenok
God bless! (E. Evtushenko) - Alexander Malinin, Margarita Viltsane
Give me luck (I. Reznik) - Mila Romanidi, Hariy Spanovskis and Janis Paukshtello
Two minutes (M. Tanich) - Laima Vaikule, Nora Bumbiere and Viktor Lapchenok
The girl from the restaurant (V. Dozortsev) - Maria Naumova, Khariy Spanovskis
Cause - time (I. Reznik) - Alla Pugacheva, Georges Siksna
Dialogue (N. Zinoviev) - Valery Leontiev, Aya Kukule
Rain in Jurmala (M. Tanich) - Maria Naumova, Normund Rutulis
Doo-bi-doo (G. Vitke) - Laima Vaikule
Duet (Musician) (A. Voznesensky) - Aya Kukule
If you leave (A. Dementiev) - Valery Leontiev, Ingus Petersons
It's not evening yet (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule
Castle in the sand (V. Dozortsev) - Laima Vaikule, Victor Lapchenok
Eclipse of the heart (A. Voznesensky) - Andrey Mironov, Valery Leontiev, Viktor Lapchenok
Green Coast (V. Pelenyagre) - Laima Vaikule
Green Light (N. Zinoviev) - Valery Leontiev, Georges Siksna
Mirror (V. Dozortsev) - Laima Vaikule, Viktor Lapchenok
Golden wedding (I. Reznik) - Ensemble "Kukushechka", Georges Siksna
Sunny days have disappeared (R. Gamzatov, translated by E. Nikolaevskaya) - Valery Leontiev, Viktor Lapchenok
Cabaret (N. Denisov) - Valery Leontiev, Aya Kukule
Carousel (M. Tanich) - Valery Leontiev, Rodrigo Fomins
The king composes a tango (M. Tanich) - Laima Vaikule, Hariy Spanovskis and Inta Spanovska
Cuckoo (I. Reznik) - Jay Stever (Janis Stibelis) and Laima Vaikule, Maria Naumova and Normund Rutulis
Legend (Anno Domini) (N. Zinoviev) - Valery Leontiev, VIA "Dalderi"
The cure for love (V. Dozortsev) - Laima Vaikule, Nora Bumbiere and Victor Lapchenok
Stairway to Heaven (V. Dozortsev) - Laima Vaikule, Nora Bumbiere and Viktor Lapchenok
Lyme leaf fall - Vaikule, Richard Leper
Yellow Leaves (I. Shaferan) - Galina Bovina and Vladislav Lynkovsky, Nora Bumbiere
Moonlight blues (S. Patrushev) - Laima Vaikule
I love you (E. Sigova) - Jay Stever (Janis Stibelis)
Love has come (R. Rozhdestvensky) - Roza Rymbaeva, Renat Ibragimov, Olga Pirags, Lyudmila Senchina
Maestro (I. Reznik) - Alla Pugacheva, Mirdza Zivere
A moment is beautiful (I. Reznik) - Olga Pirags
Moments (R. Fomins) - Rodrigo Fomins
Melody summer garden(I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule
A million scarlet roses (A. Voznesensky) - Alla Pugacheva, Aya Kukule, Larisa Mondrus
I would love a timid one (E. Sigova) - Jay Stever (Janis Stibelis), Normund Rutulis
I dream of Jurmala (E. Sigova) - Jay Stever (Janis Stibelis), Viktor Lapchenok
You can still save (E. Yevtushenko) - Intars Busulis, Anze Krause
Sea of love (I. Reznik) - Group "Gems", Ieva Plaviniece
Sailor (M. Tanich) - Laima Vaikule
Muse (A. Voznesensky) - Valery Leontiev, Ingus Petersons
Musicians (V. Serova) - Laima Vaikule, Nora Bumbiere
Cover my shoulders with a jacket (M. Tanich) - Laima Vaikule
God created us for each other (E. Evtushenko) - Intars Busulis
Our city (O. Gadzhikasimov) - Renat Ibragimov, Mirdza Zivere and Aya Kukule
Do not hurry, dear (V. Pelenyagre) - Laima Vaikule
Don't slam the door (M. Tanich) - Laima Vaikule
New Year's attraction (I. Reznik) - Alla Pugacheva, Mirdza Zivere
The night is dark (V. Dozortsev) - Maria Naumova, Khariy Spanovskis
Night bonfire (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule, Rita Trenze
Lights (V. Serova) - Laima Vaikule
Organ in the night (D. Avotynya, translation by L. Azarova) - VIA "Ariel", Nora Bumbiere and Viktor Lapchenok
From Dawn to Dawn (V. Serova) - Laima Vaikule
Letter (V. Dozortsev) - Laima Vaikule, Margarita Viltsane
Under new Age(A. Voznesensky) - Bēgšana, Aija Kukule
I'll pick up the music (A. Voznesensky) - Jaak Yoala, Ingus Petersons
Trains Laima Vaikule Vilcieni - Laima Vaikule
Fall in love with the pianist (A. Voznesensky) - Andrey Mironov, Valery Leontiev, Laima Vaikule
After the rain on Thursday (E. Sigova) - Jay Stever (Janis Stibelis), Ance Krause and Normunds Rutulis
After the holiday (I. Reznik) - Valery Leontiev, Georges Siksna
Singing mime (I. Reznik) - Valery Leontiev, Georges Siksna
The attraction of love (M. Tanich) - Valery Leontiev, Aya Kukule
Scarecrow (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule, Khary Spanovskis
The path to the light (I. Reznik) - Rodrigo Fomins
Rejoice (I. Reznik) - Alla Pugacheva, Mirdza Zivere
Wounds (E. Evtushenko) - Intars Busulis, Laima Vaikule
Roman Holiday (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule and Boris Moiseev
Cricket (Aspasia) (from the TV series " Long road in the dunes") - Ensemble "Kukushechka"
Seventh Heaven (M. Tanich) - Maria Naumova
Angry song (R. Rozhdestvensky) - Sofia Rotaru, Aya Kukule, Credo group
Blue linen (A. Dmokhovsky) - Larisa Mondrus, Margarita Vilcane and Oyar Grinbergs
Snowfall (M. Tanich) - Maria Naumova, Khariy Spanovskis
Antique clock (I. Reznik) - Alla Pugacheva, Imants Skrastinsh
old friend(E. Evtushenko) - Intars Busulis, Martins Ruskis
Old friend (V. Serova) - Laima Vaikule
Tango behind the wall (V. Dozortsev) - Laima Vaikule, Nora Bumbiere
Drum dance (A. Voznesensky) - Nikolay Gnatyuk
Telegram (M. Tanich) - Laima Vaikule, Nora Bumbiere
Three tickets (V. Dozortsev) - Maria Naumova, Hariy Spanovskis
Three cherries (V. Dozortsev) - Maria Naumova, Arturs Skrastinsh
You are the wind (E. Sigova) - Intars Busulis, Maria Naumova
Forget me (V. Dozortsev) - Laima Vaikule, Mirdza Zivere
Don't leave me (A. Voznesensky) - Valentina Legkostupova, Aya Kukule
You will love me (R. Rozhdestvensky) - Andrey Mironov, Viktor Lapchenok
Pedro (V. Pelenyagre) went to America - Laima Vaikule, Khariy Spanovskis
Colored dreams (M. Tanich) - Laima Vaikule, Margarita Viltsane
Charlie (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule, Ugis Rose
Man-tape recorder (A. Voznesensky) - Valery Leontiev, VIA "Dalderi"
Black Pearl (E. Sigova) - Jay Stever (Janis Stibelis), Maria Naumova
What attracts a bird - Laima Vaikule, Normund Rutulis
Go ahead (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule
Sherlock Holmes (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule
Wider circle (I. Reznik) - Renat Ibragimov, VIA "Ariel", Aya Kukule
I Believe (E. Sigova) - Jay Stever (Janis Stibelis), Cuckoo Ensemble
I went to Piccadilly (V. Pelenyagre) - Laima Vaikule, Khariy Spanovskis
I'm not with you yet (V. Dozortsev) - Laima Vaikule, Viktor Lapchenok
I draw (A. Dementiev) - Jaak Yoala, Georges Sixna
I do not say goodbye to you (I. Reznik) - Valery Leontiev
I love you Too (V. Serova) - Laima Vaikule, Nora Bumbiere and Viktor Lapchenok
“Ah, if I could start life again” (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule
"White fogs" (L. Fadeev) - Bazykina sisters
"White Dream" (T. Pospelova) - Laima Vaikule
"Blond" (L. Rubalskaya) - Mila Romanidi
"In the style of a storm" (N. Zinoviev) - Valery Leontiev
“Suddenly” (A. Kovalev) - Jaak Yoala
"Wind until morning" (S. Patrushev) - Laima Vaikule
“All the problems are tired” (E. Shiryaev) - Mila Romanidi
“Everything will return” (I. Reznik) - Renat Ibragimov
"Granite City" (I. Reznik) - VIA "Merry Fellows"
“Let's forget sorrows” (M. Plyatskovsky) - Andrey Lichtenbergs
"Two Swifts" (A. Voznesensky) - Olga Pirags, Alla Pugacheva
"Two Stars" (D. Taiganov) - Dimir Taiganov
"Two" or "Old Friend" (I. Reznik) - Valentina Legkostupova, Alla Pugacheva
"Business Woman" (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule
"Rain Rings" (A. Kovalev) - Olga Pirags
"Rain" (A. Dementiev) - Renat Ibragimov
"For all sins" (V. Dozortsev) - Maria Naumova
“Beyond the threshold of happiness” or “There is happiness somewhere beyond the threshold” (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule, Mila Romanidi
"Curtain" (M. Tanich) - Valery Leontiev
"Winter's Tale" (S. Patrushev) - Laima Vaikule
"What is your name?" (S. Patrushev) - Laima Vaikule
“When your purse is full of holes” (L. Prozorovsky) - Viktor Lapchenok
Halley's Comet (N. Zinoviev) - Valery Leontiev
“Better leave” (E. Yevtushenko) - Intars Busulis
"Mambo" (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule
"Lighthouse" (M. Tanich) - Valery Leontiev
“Darling, goodbye” (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule
"My last Adam" (S. Patrushev) - Laima Vaikule
“There are many white birds above the ground” (L. Prozorovsky) - Aya Kukule
"Not a telephone conversation" (I. Reznik) - Stella Gianni and Ilya Reznik
"The frivolous gentleman" (V. Dozortsev) - Maria Naumova
"Never say never" (V. Dozortsev) - Maria Naumova
"Night Cafe" (I. Reznik) - Stella Gianni
"Special Friend" (A. Voznesensky) - Sofia Rotaru
"In Memory of Nino Rota" (V. Dozortsev) - Laima Vaikule
"Song for an encore" (A. Voznesensky) - Alla Pugacheva
"Wildflowers" (A. Kovalev) - Lyudmila Senchina
"It's time for snowdrops" (A. Kovalev) - Edita Piekha
"Dedication" or "Dedication to friends" (M. Tanich) - Laima Vaikule
"Last March of Love" (E. Sigova) - Evgeny Shur
"Last request" (E. Yevtushenko) - Intars Busulis
“Almost like Riga” (M. Tanich) - Laima Vaikule
"Invitation to dance" (V. Dozortsev) - Laima Vaikule
“Go through life” (A. Kovalev) - Olga Pirags
“The curse of the century is haste” (E. Yevtushenko)
“Forgive me, waves” (A. Kovalev) - Valery Leontiev
“Farewell, farewell ...” (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule
"Phoenix Bird" (I. Reznik) - Tatyana Bulanova
"Jealousy" (E. Yevtushenko) - Intars Busulis
"Relatives" (I. Reznik) - VIA "Merry Fellows"
"The slowest train" (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule
"Heart" (A. Kovalev) - Jaak Yoala
"Silhouette of Love" (A. Kovalev) - Jaak Yoala
"Blue Sea" (I. Reznik) - Tatyana Bulanova
"Fiddler on the Roof" (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule
"A chance acquaintance" (E. Evtushenko) - Intars Busulis
“Completely different” (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule
"Sunny Bunny" (A. Kovalev) - Valentina Legkostupova
“Thank you, you are enemies” (I. Reznik) - Mila Romanidi
"Old Guitar"
"Old Friends" (R. Rozhdestvensky) - Andrey Mironov
"Old Umbrella" (E. Yevtushenko) - Intars Busulis
"Phone call" (A. Kovalev) - Jaak Yoala
"Tornado" (V. Dozortsev) - Maria Naumova
"Three minutes" (M. Tanich) - Valery Leontiev
“Tell me, please tell me” (I. Reznik) - Philip Kirkorov
"Amazing Camel" (I. Reznik) - the Cuckoo Ensemble
“Smart will not go uphill” (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule
"Tender Whisper" (E. Yevtushenko) - Intars Busulis
“This is my woman” (E. Yevtushenko) - Intars Busulis
“I have been waiting for you for so long” (I. Reznik) - Alla Pugacheva
“I pray for you” (I. Reznik) - Laima Vaikule
"I forgot your face" (I. Reznik) - VIA "Eolika"
“I love you more than nature” (E. Evtushenko) - Intars Busulis
“I smile” (A. Voznesensky) - Valentina Legkostupova
“I read your thoughts” (N. Zinoviev) - Larisa Dolina
First fame
The first fame in Latvia came to him when he wrote songs to the words of Alfred Kruklis "We met in March", "Old birch" and " Winter evening". At this time, Raymond Pauls held the position artistic director in the Riga Variety Orchestra of the Latvian State Philharmonic. It is here in concert hall the premiere of the very first author's program by Raimonds Pauls took place. The beginning of the 1970s can be marked by the creation by Pauls of the Modo vocal and instrumental ensemble, which took part in the German festival "People and the Sea" in 1974. The following year the "Modo" Ensemble took part in the Bulgarian festival in Sopot. At the end of the 1970s, Pauls left the Modo team to devote himself entirely to work in the Latvian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company. For 14 years he was the conductor of the orchestra and choir of the Latvian Radio and Television. And for the next 6 years he served as editor-in-chief music programs Latvian radio.He wrote his first musical "Sister Carrie" in 1976. The video clip created for this musical won the award for international competition"Golden Amber". In the year 2000, the Russian version of this musical could be seen at the Russian Drama Theater in Riga.
From the mid-1970s, Pauls began close collaboration with the poets Andrei Voznesensky, Robert Rozhdestvensky, and Ilya Reznik. On their poems, the composer wrote many songs that are still popular today. These are "A Million Scarlet Roses", "Three Minutes", "Hey you up there", "It's not evening yet" and others.
Creative alliances with pop singers
The creative unions of the composer with the singer Alla Pugacheva, Valery Leontiev, Laima Vaikule, Sofia Rotaru, Andrei Mironov, Tatyana Bulanova and other singers gained wide popularity. The result of such unions was the famous songs "Old Clock", "Cabaret", "Love the Pianist", "Vernissage", "Not Yet Evening". The song "Golden Wedding" gained wide popularity in the mid-1980s. It was performed by the children's ensemble "Kukushechka" created by Pauls at the Latvian Radio.Alla Pugacheva and Raymond Pauls - Maestro
Creative career in cinema
Pauls' music can be heard in a number of performances, TV films and movies. These are "Servants of the Devil", and "How to Become a Star", and "Arrows of Robin Hood". The composer once tried himself in acting skills, starring in the film "The Theater" based on the novel of the same name by Somerset Maugham as a pianist. AT theatrical performances"Count of Monte Cristo", "Brand", "Wild Swans", "Green Maiden". All these performances received a prize at a festival in Yugoslavia.Personal life
In August 1961, Raymond married Svetlana Epifanova. A year later, their daughter Aneta was born. She graduated from LGITMIK and received the specialty "TV director". In 1989 and 1994, the composer's grandchildren are born - a girl and a boy. To date, the daughter of Pauls, together with her husband and children, live in Moscow.Politics
In the eighties of the last century, Raymond Pauls began to study state affairs. In 1985 he was elected a deputy to the Supreme Council of Latvia, four years later he became a people's deputy of the USSR. Three years later, in 1988, he became chairman of the Latvian State Committee for Culture, and in 1989 he headed the Ministry of Culture of the Latvian SSR. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the composer received the post of Minister of Culture in the government of the already independent Latvia. He left the post of Minister of Culture in 1993 of his own free will, as he did not agree with the abolition of the Ministry of Culture. At that moment, they wanted to connect it with other government organizations. This is not the end of Pauls' political career. From 1993 to 1998, he was a cultural adviser to the President of the Republic of Latvia, Guntis Ulmanis. In 1998, on March 14, together with his associates, he created the New Party, which he himself led. In October of the same year, he became a deputy of the seventh Saeima of Latvia from the New Party. In 2002 and 2006 he is re-elected to the place of the deputy already from the People's Party. In 1999 Raimonds Pauls almost became the President of Latvia. Having passed all the preliminary stages of voting, in the very final he withdrew his candidacy. He decided to leave politics in February 2009. He announced officially that he would no longer participate in municipal and parliamentary elections. From that moment on, he became engaged only in music.
Ranks of Raimonds Pauls
In 1967, Pauls was awarded the title of Honored Artist of the Latvian SSR, in 1976 - People's Artist of the Latvian SSR, in 1985 - People's Artist of the USSR. In 2008 he was awarded the Baltic Star International Prize. This prize is awarded only to public figures located or working in the Baltic region, who have contributed to the development and strengthening of humanitarian ties.Raymond Pauls - Cloudy weather
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev noted the merits of the composer and awarded him the Order of Honor for his contribution to strengthening cultural ties and spreading the Russian language in Latvia. Today the composer gives concerts with the Emil Darzin Boys Choir. He is one of the organizers of the contest of popular music performers "New Wave". Interestingly, the composition "Cloudy weather" was written by the master specifically for the program "Weather Forecast" information program"Time".
1. Born on January 12, 1936 in Riga in the family of a glass blower Voldemar Pauls son Oyars Raimonds , was determined - at the request of his father - in a unique Riga musical kindergarten from the age of 3. But until the age of 10, he was very reluctant to study music, so his father often drove Raymond to the piano with a belt.
Over time, Raymond began to study music with passion, and in 1953 he was already a student at the Latvian Conservatory. Professor Herman Brown instilled in him a love for the classics, and young Raymond dreamed of the stage, moonlighting in orchestras.
After graduating, Raymond, as part of the Riga Variety Orchestra, traveled all over the USSR. In 1962, after the birth of his daughter, Pauls returned to the conservatory to study composition. In 1964, he led the Riga Variety Orchestra, having won all-Union popularity with him. 
2. Today, Raimonds Pauls, who at the age of 49 became a People's Artist of the USSR, is not only a music guru in Latvia, but also a restaurateur, one of the wealthiest residents of Riga, although he once suffered from Latvian banks. And in the 1970s and 80s, every restaurant where Pauls' songs were performed paid a lot of money to the composer. 
Pauls says about this time: - I lived very well! You come to Sberbank, and there are already several thousand. And at one time I went around even David Tukhmanov in terms of income ...
3. Pauls has a big house outside the city, which he himself calls "magnificent." And having bought
a few years ago, a village school a hundred kilometers from Riga, along with three hectares of land, Pauls made a center for gifted children there. 
One of the oligarchs bought in the center of Riga old house, and invited the maestro to head the cultural and entertainment center.
4. Outwardly imperturbable, Pauls often took part in the pranks of the bohemian party under the leadership of Pugacheva. 
The composer recalls that Mark Zakharov, patient in this regard, became the object of such jokes several times. Often such parties ended in loud quarrels, as Pugacheva allowed herself too much.
Having drunk, I could say too much. Then she regretted. She was ashamed, she began to suck up. But I accepted Alla for who she is. 
5. Although the daughter of Pauls Anete grew up among the celebrities who visited their house, the maestro forbade her to sing on the stage. 
After graduating from school, Anete worked for a television center, becoming a director. And in 1988, together with Yuri Nikolaev, she hosted a pop song contest in Jurmala, where Alexander Malinin then received the Grand Prix.
Anete married a Dane, an employee of the SAS airline. For the past few years, she has been in Moscow as an assistant to the Consul General of Latvia for cultural issues. Two granddaughters of Pauls studied at an elite Moscow school with in-depth study of English and French. 
6. Having been both the Minister of Culture of Latvia (the first non-partisan minister in the USSR) and the adviser to the President of Latvia on culture, Raimonds Pauls, contrary to his words about the due political apathy of a musician and artist in general, in 1999 ran for the presidency from the New Party of Latvia headed by him . Having won in the first round of elections, but not gaining the required 51% in the Sejm, he withdrew his candidacy before the decisive round. 
Later, he explained this by saying that he would have to be between two fires, since the right-wing advocated an aggravation of relations with Russia, and Russians in Latvia have strong economic positions. By the way, having large finances, the Russian capitalists did not interfere in any way in Latvia's policy of oppressing the Russian-speaking population. 
7. There are unpleasant facts in the biography of Pauls. As Minister of Culture, from 1991 to 1993 he closed several Russian schools, as well as the Riga Youth Theater under People's Artist Adolf Shapiro of the Latvian SSR, who was also the president of the International Association of Theaters for Children and Youth.
No concessions Maestro
Pauls' wife, Svetlana Epifanova (Raymond was introduced to her after a concert in Odessa), a few years ago, like most non-native Latvians, had only a purple non-citizen passport with the inscription Aliens. Maestro's wife was naturalized on a common basis, having passed exams in history and the state language, which she speaks brilliantly
Pauls wrote the most famous hits in collaboration with Reznik and Voznesensky
From 1988 to 1991 Raimonds Pauls served as Minister of Culture of the LSSR
Weather forecast from Raimonds Pauls
The instrumental composition "Cloudy Weather" was written by Pauls specifically for the weather forecast of the information program "Vremya" 
strange number
Pauls got a mysterious number on the service Chevrolet: RP-62. What did his initials mean and the year when he stopped drinking after the birth of his daughter 
In 1999, Raimonds Pauls ran for the presidency of Latvia, but withdrew his candidacy
Raymond Pauls Knight of the Swedish Order of the Polar Star 
He started early...
Pauls began his concert activity at the age of 15, when a talented teenager was invited to play in an adult jazz band. When going to dances, the musicians wrote a receipt to their father: “They took Oyar. We'll return in the morning" 
Pauls graduated from the Latvian State Conservatory
Already at that time he proved himself to be an excellent piano performer. In parallel with his studies, Pauls worked as a pianist in the variety orchestras of trade union clubs. He played in restaurants, having studied jazz classics and modern songs. 
Raymond Voldemarovich played the piano as a child
From the age of three he attended kindergarten of the 1st Musical Institute, where the musical education of the future composer began 
Many famous songs Pauls in Russian were originally performed in Latvian
Raymond Pauls is the author of two musicals
"Sister Carrie" and "Sherlock Holmes"
In the center of Riga, there is a sculptural portrait of Raimonds Pauls
This is not an official monument, but a 1987 artwork by sculptor Albert Terpilovsky 
Native Rigan
Raimonds Pauls was born on January 12, 1936 in Riga, in the Ilguciems district, in the family of Voldemar and Alma-Matilda Pauls, a glass blower and pearl embroiderer
Name: Raymond Pauls
Age: 83 years old
Place of Birth: Riga
Growth: 170 cm; The weight: 72 kg
Activity: composer, conductor, pianist
Family status: married
Raymond Pauls - Biography
Raymond Voldemarovich Pauls is a well-known and beloved composer, whose songs have become real hits. They are performed by the most popular stars stage. In Latvia, where he comes from, he served for almost five years as Minister of Culture. And there were many more interesting things in the life of the famous songwriter.
Childhood, family
The hometown of Raimonds Pauls is Riga. The boy was born into a family of real workers: his father worked as a glass blower, and his mother worked as a pearl embroiderer. But after the birth of her son, the woman quit her job, deciding to devote herself entirely to her son and his upbringing. The boy's musical education was not accidental. My father was friendly with music, as he played percussion instruments in an orchestra of amateur musicians. That is why Raymond already definitely knew that he was destined for a biography of the musician.
As a child, the boy went to kindergarten, where he was taught to play any instrument, for Raymond it was the piano. According to some sources, Raymond's father became interested in reading a book about the great Paganini, so he, having bought a violin, gave it to music class. During the Great Patriotic War father sent the family to a small village, music had to be left for a while. After the war and Great Victory, all reunited in the beloved city.
When the boy was ten years old, he entered a music school in Riga. Then he continued his education at the Latvian Conservatory, studied piano, and then studied there as a composer. Raymond studied and worked as a performer in variety orchestras at many concerts and evenings. The young pianist liked to perform jazz and modern song compositions.
Further activities of the composer
Pauls' music could be heard in puppet shows and dramatic performances. After graduating from the conservatory, Raymond began to work in the variety orchestra of the city of Riga, visited concerts not only in the Soviet Union, but also abroad. Raymond Pauls biography indulged in leadership positions. Either he is the artistic director of his own pop orchestra, or he is appointed head of the Modo ensemble. At the Latvian Radio and Television, he conducts an orchestra, and then becomes the editor-in-chief of all radio programs related to music.
It was Pauls who came up with the idea and implementation of the Jurmala Performing Competition. Pauls and composer Igor Krutoy organized the New Wave competition, which immediately acquired international status. The composer is actively involved in public and political activity. He becomes a member of the Union of Cinematographers and Composers of the Republic of Latvia. He is elected to the deputies from the people and to the Supreme Council of Latvia.
Music, songs
The composer's biography was so successful that among his comrades in the creative workshop he had many famous pop artists for whom he wrote songs, many famous poets gave him their poems, directors asked him to compose music for their films. It is even surprising that with his popularity, Raymond Pauls had a closed and complex character. But he always knew how to make friends for real, so Ilya Reznik is not only a co-author of many hit works, a composer, but also his good friend.
It is impossible to imagine the name of Alla Pugacheva without the name of Pauls. Raymond Voldemarovich is grateful to fate for close cooperation with the prima donna. Let a little was written for her, and only ten of her songs were sung to the music of the great maestro, but each of their joint song composition is a whole story. It's complex creative stage work, but memorable and fruitful.
Raymond Pauls - biography of personal life
The composer married only once in his life. Raymond toured a lot, and on one of the very first such creative trips, he met a charming beautiful girl. It happened in Odessa. Young people fell in love with each other. Pauls' wife Svetlana Epifanova gave birth to his daughter Aneta. Parents gave their daughter the education of a director on television. Now she is already married, lives with her family in the capital of Russia, brings up three children: Anna-Maria, Monica-Yvonne and Arthur.