The Creative Biography of Raimonds Pauls

Composer, pianist, director, arranger and producer Ojārs Raimonds Pauls was born on 12 January, 1936 in Iļģuciems, Riga. His home on Nordeku Street does not exist anymore- now there towers impersonal block houses. But as it might be known, fundamentals and strength is obtained in childhood. The Pauls family originates from workers tribe- at the age 15 Voldemārs Pauls goes to factory, where his father Ādolfs works, too. The mother of Voldemārs, wife of Ādolfs and grandmother of Maestro Aleksandra owns a little shop, where assistants are needed. Therefore, Alma Matilde Brodele is hired, the apprentice of tailor. It does not take long when Voldemārs proposes the girl and they get married in 1932. Raimonds is not their first child. The firstborn Gunārs passed away at the age 4 due to meningitis. Maybe this is the reason why a value of two lives has been laid in the crudle of Ojārs Raimonds, born on 12th January, 1936 – he has been protected and loved with double strength.

Even before the birth of the son the father was confident, that he needs to be raised as a musician. In youth having read the books about lives of popular artists, Voldemārs decides to raise the new Paganini due to the fact that his father Ādolfs played violin, but he himself played drums in the local ensemble “Mihavo”. The father has always worked hard, that is why he wants the son’s life to be easier. After his views- what can be easier than a musician profession. But he thinks so wrongly… So the father of Raimonds gets a used violin and takes the son to the Musical Kindergarten at Riga Institute of Music. The fingers were too short to play a violin, which is why the music lessons started with the piano. That time the teacher was thinking that Raimonds will not be a pianist with such stumpy fingers, not even talking about violinist. She thought that the child did not have any talent- yes, he will play the piano, but that’s all. Playing the piano brings up a firm character, because only a man of plenty of guts can handle the endless repeating and error correction. At the age 4 only a very few people have this kind of determination, so his father motivates his son to keep training not only with lovely words. There is no respect for the pampering in this family – the word of the father is a law. If it’s not enough with words, the son gets some poke. However, it is also his own stubbornness, which makes Raimonds train, in order to outwork the assurance of the teacher. He wants to prove it with hard work. While other children play outside, Raimonds practices scales on his old piano with tears in the eyes.

Even the World War II cannot change the father’s mind. In 1943 Raimonds enrolls to   the Elementary School No. 7 of Riga City and studies music privately under Professor Valerijs Zosts and teachers Emma Eglīte and Juta Daugule. But their teaching methods are suited for students, not for curious kids, all of which become tiresome of everything. Pauls lives near the school and remembering that, says: “We had a huge respect towards teachers. When the teacher was going home in afternoons, I was always trembling with fear and hoping that she never came to visit us… If I had made some mischief, the teacher always came to our home and told it to my father. He gave me a slapping with no explanations. If I was trying to talk back, he gave it to me twice.”

As the front neared, Alma Matilde with children- Raimonds and his sister, born in 1939- moved to her home in Vidriži for a short time, where the relatives of her was living.  During this time the children were not excited by the nature – they were collecting the trophies left by soldiers. Not one child remained without arms or eyes in this period of time… Also Raimonds participates in the blasting – all the powder of the rocket opened by curious neighbors rums into his face. Raimonds had facial burns – good, that he managed to close his eyes, otherwise he would become blind. The burns were treated by a wise doctor of the Russian army. But there is still a scar on his finger since another “experiment”.

After the war, having returned on Nordeku Street, Iļģuciems, almost every family is assigned a small potato field, cucumber and onion bed, a bush of red currants. The Pauls family owns a goat, of which the children must take care of time to time. The mother is working within the house and garden, but the father spends long hours in a factory, therefore, a hard work becomes a daily and sure-fire thing for the children, as well as order and politeness towards nearby people.

Raimonds Pauls narrates about his childhood: “I am from a worker’s family and that is truth. The father and grandfather were glass blowers; my mom was working at home. We owned a land and a small house- everybody was cultivating something. My mother was selling something and for the earned money she was buying us clothes. We were always getting up at 5 o’clock every morning, picking berries and selling them in the local market. The life was modest.”

Raimonds was an honour student, he received only A’s (5 out of 5) and he was in good relations with the director Milda Ozola-Bobrovska. She used to play the piano too and inspired the new musician to play music with joy, when a melody needed to be played in a class play. After that Raimonds was performing in local concerts and musical evenings more and more often.

In 1946 Raimonds Pauls is accepted into the Musical School of E. Darziņš and for three years he studies in two schools. He already stands out among others with playing the piano, varying and attract the audience. At the age 14 he starts to perform in restaurants and club parties. It is a great period of training, because Pauls plays together with Gunārs Kušķis, the virtuoso of violin and saxophone. The parties are exhausting and Raimonds goes to the school being tired. In 1949 Pauls graduates Elementary School No. 7 of Riga City and continues his studies exclusively in the then ten-year Secondary Musical School of E. Darziņš.  During the breaks he does not leave classrooms- he plays the piano. Many come to listen to the jazz variations played by Pauls. The jazz fascinates the child more and more – it is not being taught in the school; however, he delves into a bad quality recordings (which were gotten the God knows where) and tries to reflect those rhythms and sounds on the piano.

The boy obtains a huge experience as a pianist – he plays the piano in concerts, which is organized in honor of the National Days, accompaniments for folk dancing collectives and sport gymnasts, as well as plays popular melodies in school dances. Being only 14, Raimonds becomes one of the recognized musicians of the local dance evenings. He was small and people were laughing that his feet couldn’t even reach drum pedals. Raimonds was neither angry, nor was laughing back – he was just quiet. He did not have such childhood friends to whom entrust his secrets – the boy is used to solve everything by himself since the childhood.

That time the Secondary Musical School of E. Darziņš was located in the center of Riga, Raina Boulevard. Having left home in the very morning, Raimonds returned only in the late evening. His classmates were future ballet-dancers Aija Baumane, Māris Liepa, Haralds Ritenbergs, other classmates became popular musicians. However, the world view of the new pianist is built of jazz, not school, which is being played all over the city. He is especially fascinated by George Gershwin music. Raimonds makes good friends with Gunārs Kušķirs – an educated violinist, also jazzmen, clarinetist and saxophonist in heart. „Putnuzemes šūpuļdziesma” (“Lullaby of Birdland”) by George Shearing sounds especially bright, when performed by Raimonds and Gunārs. It was very popular in time, when everybody was admiring Glen Miller’s orchestra, which can be heard in the popular film „Saules ielejas serenāde” (“Sun Valley Serenade”).

Raimonds studies the jazz improvisation’s ABC step by step, and these uncountable lessons, which were spent in early years by playing the piano without stopping, lay the foundations of his further success. Of course, after performing in the dance parties Raimonds cannot have a good sleep, so he is present on lessons with swollen eyes; the first part of the day is spent with mist. However, his pianist and technical skills keep improving steadily anyway. The teachers are confident, that Raimonds someday will become a bright concert pianist- an interpreter of Beethoven and Rachmaninov.

In 1952 he finishes the course of general education and for another year continues to attend musical classes to prepare for entrance examinations in the conservatory. After an excellent performance of Bach and Beethoven by Raimonds Pauls, he enrolls to Latvian State Conservatory. He passes examinations with excellence on music theory and solfeggio, harmony and music literature, and is accepted into the piano class of Hermanis Brauns. Performing with different collectives, including in restaurants, takes more and more time, but it is allowed only with the mandatory permission of Conservatory rector. The pianist performs also with orchestra of Autodarbinieku klubs, after that- orchestra of Medicīnas darbinieku klubs and soon he gets first reprimand due to absence in lectures. It has been heard a lot about mistakes made in Raimonds Pauls’ early years, but one does not commit a sin only in case, if one does nothing. A glass of liquor is not only an ardour cooler of youth, but also an inducement in situations, when the head starts to bow because of tiresome. The pourers are also grateful listeners, who admire the unusual skills of the pianist, passion of piano and pliancy of melodies. Every evening the fingers of Raimonds Pauls run over the piano keys as without effort. As if by magic he conjures up a passionate foxtrot and then – a slow waltz. There are no music sheets. Latvian musicians listen to the score heard on foreign radio, write them down and preserve the score as an apple of their eye. Raimonds has not only a great memory, but also matchless improvisation skills; and the sea landscape left in his memory is now being reflected into the melodies.

Together with course-mate and contrabass player, who is as obsessed as him, Raimonds approaches Jānis Ivanovs, the creative director of the Radio Committee, in order to ask for a permission to create the first collective- an instrumental sextet. Ivanovs sees their potential and gives the permission, therefore, marking the birthday of post-war Latvian music.  The instrumental sextet: Pauls – piano, Egils Švarcs – contrabass, Gunārs Kušķis – clarinet, Georgs Slaveckis – guitar, Haralds Brando – percussion, Eduards Ābelskalns – vibraphone. So there were 40 records made within 2 years with the title “Mēs sākam” (“We Start”). In the spring the first song by Raimonds Pauls “Nenosūtītā vēstule” (“The Unposted Letter”) with lyrics by Daina Avotiņa was recorded. It was performed by Valentīna Butāne.

Philharmonic of Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic lead by the composer Ringolds Ore the first Riga Light Music Orchestra is made in the Republic; the sextet of Pauls becomes a part of it. Edgars Zveja, Vera Davidone and other professional singers cooperate with the sextet.  Raimonds Pauls leaves the studies as the second priority due to the vortex of endless practice, concerts and recordings. The professor Hermanis Brauns, which is truly respected by Pauls, commented dissatisfiedly: “The keys of the piano after your playing stinks like a dancefloor…”, however, he desperately- even in the parties – is trying to look for his student in order to force him to graduate the Conservatory with honor. Brauns does not reproach Raimonds for performing in clubs and parties, because it is a great practice.  He sees a bright talent in the new pianist, which must not be wasted. The teacher Brauns looks after Pauls to pass the examinations and tests, because the he knows – if Pauls comes, that everything is going to be okay – he will pass the examinations better than anyone. There was a line with listeners in the State examination in spring 1958, because there are so many people who wanted to hear the playing of so-called star, the intriguing and unbelievably talented pianist Pauls. It is understandable, because his name is prasied in radio, where Paul’s hits are being played such as “Mēs tikāmies martā” (“We Met in March”), “Ziemas vakars” (“Winter Evening”), “Lai tik līst” (“Let It Rain”), which are performed by velvety baritone of Edgars Zveja, the premier of the Musical Comedy Theatre. As ambitious as this, Raimonds Pauls graduates the piano class of Hermanis Brauns, the Latvia State Conservatory. In the characteristics given by the Conservatory it is said: “A bright musical talent. However, an inner lack of discipline and willingness has extremely bothered the development of this young man. Good skills of pedagogy. An excellent ensembler and concert master.  However, he is inactive in the social life. “

After the graduation of the Conservatory, Raimonds Pauls is advised to study the postgraduate course in Leningrad; however, neither new studies which last for several years, nor does educator’s career tempt him. Raimonds Pauls is assigned as the concert master at Latvian Philharmonic Concert-hall, but continues to work as a composer as well. The discipline is not the strength of Pauls. He is even fired from Latvian Philharmonic, but after the promise to get better Pauls is taken back, because such a pianist can be found nowhere.

Raimonds Pauls creates his own instrumental trio with rhythm group – drums and contrabass – and having been seen off by Philharmonic singers, travels around the Soviet-land corners together with the rhythm group, playing their first compositions. In one of the concert-trips Raimonds meets his love Svetlana, who becomes his wife.

In 1961 he becomes a laureate in the exposition of new composer works in Moscow for his cycle „Portreti” (Portraits). It is being performed by Paul’s instrumental trio Raimonds Pauls – piano, Aivars Timšs – contrabass, Haralds Brando – percussion. The trio plays several jazz-style compositions and “Piecas improvizācijas par latviešu tautasdziesmu” (“Five Improvisations on Latvian Folk Songs”), which is reason for the heated discussions on whether the jazz can even joined with folklore.

The daughter Anete is born in 1962. The love given by Svetlana and his mother rescues Raimonds from the scourge of binge. Having promised not to drink anymore many times, Raimonds finally decides and stops his alcohol as with a knife cut. Since that time Raimonds haven’t put a drop to his lips, however, a new dependence has been caused – from music and piano. This is the turning point in the professional field, too, because Raimonds Pauls is appointed as the leader of Darba rezerves (Labour reserve) – an orchestra of the Recreation Centre of Professional Education.This encourages the composer to resume his studies at the Conservatory, this time in the composition class of Jānis Ivanovs (1962 – 1965).

The talent of the pianist combined with the composer skills is a lucky case for a sound creator, thus he can be the artist of his own works. In 1962 he composes his first musical score for Pēteris Pētersons’ theatre “Man trīsdesmit gadu” (“I Am Thirty”) in the Theatre of Drama (now- National Theatre), but the suite “Portreti” (“Portraits”) is created in the jazz music. By expanding his art horizons, Pauls composes music for the one-act ballet “Kubas melodijas” (“Melodies of Cuba”) in 1963. Parallel to this, lyrical light music songs are constantly recorded in Riga Radio and since 1958 most of the lyrics are provided by poet Alfrēds Krūklis.

In 1964 he creates his first soundtrack for a full-length film “Līdz rudenim vēl tālu” (“Fall is Still a Long Way Away”) by Aloizs Brenčs. In the student concert of Composition Faculty the new author shows he song cycle with lyrics of H.Heislers, sang by Ilga Tiknuse. Most probably, Pauls had temptation to go on with academic genre, however, love towards jazz did not allow step back from the musical freedom, which is so characteristic to jazz. Raimonds Pauls was offered to become the musical leader, head conductor and pianist of Riga Light Music Orchestra. Pauls accepts it in 1964, having stopped the academic studies. New success makes to create more and more new compositions, and Riga Light Music Orchestra keeps its way persistently into the jazz field. Rhapsody for piano and light music orchestra is composed. However, the music tendencies change – the young generation likes the Liverpool quartet – The Beatles. And the leader position of the Light Music Orchestra, being the only one in the republic, forces him to compose new music constantly, which would be loved not only by the listeners, but also satisfy the official authorities, which had a say about light-music-genre tendencies that time. And it shows that the song melodies must not be similar to hits of pre-war time, besides the lyrics must be ideologically and artistically perfect. Raimonds Pauls creates two suites “Iespaidi” (“Impressions”) and “Dienvidu akvareļi” (“Water-Colors of the South”) in 1965. Pauls was lucky to find a cooperative confederates – the poet Alfrēds Krūklis and Ziedonis Purvs, because the most part of Paul’s compositions is made like a melodies first, which does not have lyrics. Those poets try to read out the reserved face mimics of the musician, hear the song purpose with his short expressions, and most of the time they make it perfectly. For instance, the song “Dziesma nenosalst” (“Song is Fear No Frost”) was devoted to his mother, and the poet knows how to make it one of the most beautiful compositions about this theme in our music. It was entrusted to Ojārs Grīnbergs to sing it. During the leadership of Riga Light Music Orchestra there are enough singers for that – Aino Bāliņš, Sallija Lindava, Vadims Mamajevs, Margarita Vilcāne, Zdislavs Romanovskis and Ojārs Grīnbergs, who become performers of the bright original songs by Raimonds Pauls. But the audience is not very interested in this orchestra. This is the changing period to something different – something more significant. If there were many compositions of foreign authors so far, now it becomes a creative instrument of Pauls, which revives the unusual musical fantasies, creates and strengthens the genre used to be called Latvian Light Music. Its classical example is created by Raimonds Pauls, where musical intonations of Latvian nation blend together with jazz, blues, rock&roll, French chanson, German schlager and intonations and elements of folk songs.  In all this union Pauls is able to create a topical and interesting music, which is democratic at the same time. One of the most ambitious aims of Raimonds Pauls is to make the orchestra concerts so wanted, that there would not be a free seat in the audience. He composes few songs – with simple lyrics, emotions, which would be close and understandable for everybody. And, with the help of this, he meets this intention with a vengeance!

Raimonds Pauls not only composes and arranges to his Riga Light Music Orchestra, but also conducts by himself, plays the piano in concerts and travels to faraway lands with his musicians – also outside the borders of the USSR for the first time in 1966 – to Hungary. Five out of 12 months they spend in trips. The number of concerts is unbelievable – there were 166 performances that year. In Soviet times also an artist has a work plan, which establishes a superhuman work schedule with long and tiresome trips in trains and buses. However, this year the collective overachieve its plan.  Besides the USSR plan, Latvia has its own plan which has to be met, and as a result, the light music orchestra performs in 270 concerts per year. There are a few days off, but the collective becomes the second family. In his concert program Pauls involves also the youth group “Eolika”, which performs the songs in clear English of “Beach Boys”, “The Beatles” and other famous groups behind the “iron curtain”. They perform these songs in Moscow and shocked its people with the Western taste, which dominates over Latvia. The program of Riga Light Music Orchestra, which includes Latvian Riflemen songs, is also a brave step. The musicians perform with hats on their heads – having stuck a red five-pointed star on the hats for sake of safety. The songs “Ķemermiestiņā” (“In the Village of Ķemeri”), “Mirdzot šķēpiem” (“Sparkling Jeveling”) and other, so-called undesirable songs, glisten among the compositions. The listeners of this part of the program do not leave the hall for a long time.

Raimonds Pauls becomes a merit-praised stage artist in Latvia – he is barely over 30, but with a rich musical range, that even unfinished studies and lack of diploma is not a barrier to welcome such a talented member in Composer Union of Latvia (SSR). During this time the jazz compositions “Kalnu skices” (“Mountain Skeches”) in 1966, a year later – “Piecas improvizācijas latviešu tautasdziesmu garā” (“Five Improvisations in Spirit of Latvian Folk Songs”) and the suite “Melnās krāsas” (“Black Colors”) are created. In 1967 Pauls arranges a poem, song and improvisation event together with the jazz trio and singing actor and producer Arnolds Liepiņš, who not only sings with his voice, but also with hands, body movements and mimics (singing for the deaf) along with instrumental accompaniment.

In 1967 Pauls starts to compose music for theathre. First compositions – for Puppet Theatre – were: “Saslauku vecis” (“Saslauku Man”), “Četri muzikanti” (“Four Musicians”), “Interlellis-67” (“Inter-puppet-67”). He takes this work very seriously – participates in the rehearsals, looks at the puppets, because wants to understand the message of the show. After that follows “Velniņi” (“The Two Imps”) by Rūdolfs Blaumanis, the performance “Runčuks Punčuks” (“The Belly Tomkitty”) and others. Children understand and catch the songs easily. As it turns out, Raimonds plays these songs first to his little daughter Anete – if she likes it, then every other child will like it.

The program of Riga Light Music Orchestra is announced as the first author-concert of Raimonds Pauls in spring 1988, where the instrumental music is played in the first part, but the second part is the beginning of Raimonds Pauls’ revolution – “Nepārmet man” (“Don’t Blame Me”), “Mežrozīte” (“Eglantine”), “Baltijas jūrai” (“For the Baltic Sea”) and “Dziesma nenosalst” (“A Song Fears no Frost”) become permanent hits of the Latvian light music genre and are beloved till today.

In 1968 the song poll of the radio show Mikrofons begins and for eleven times, up till 1982 (the poll does not take place in 1972 – 1975), the songs by Raimonds Pauls are declared as the most popular in Latvia. The lyrical song “Mežrozīte”(“Eglantine”) by Raimonds Pauls wins in the first song poll  of radio show Mikrofons in 1968. After that it is necessary to motivate neither singers, nor the authors of the songs to apply for the song poll, and the song “Dziesma nenosalst”(“A Song Fears no Frost”) with Alrfrēds Krūklis’ lyrics wins again among several dozen songs in 1969. In that year the songs composed by Raimonds Pauls get in the Top 5 – “Sens ir tas stāsts” (“The Old Story”), “Vectētiņš un vecmāmiņa” (“Grandfather and Grandmother”) and “Nepārmet man” (“Don’t Blame Me”).  In 1969 Raimonds Pauls’ first recording Tev, mana labā (For You, My Dear) is released, where previously mentioned songs are included. Buyers are starting to fall in line at the shops. Since then at least one album by Raimonds Pauls is released practically every year. The number of recording copies is not enough for everybody, and it happens year after year, when Pauls releases new recordings. Deficit! This can also be regarded to the concert tickets, because everything he does, is a deserved aureole of uniqueness and brightness.

At the end of the sixties, the first international hit by the composer “Zilie lini” (“Blue Flax”) that is performed by Ojārs Grīnbergs and Margarita Vilcāne in Larisa Mondrusa’s show makes Raimonds Pauls famous in the entire USSR. Together with RLMO Raimonds Pauls performs in Finland, Hungary, Poland, GDR, republics of USSR and successfully participates in the International Jazz Festival in Prague. In the festival “Cilvēks un jūra” (“Man and the Sea”) (Rostock, GDR, 1969) the song of Raimonds Pauls “Maza, maza istabiņa” (“A Small, Small Room”) is performed by Margarita Vilcāne to great success and is later translated into Italian transforming it into a love song.

In 1970 Raimonds Pauls’ song Liepājai (Manai pilsētai) (For Liepaja (For My City)) is heard for the first time when it is performed by the join choir in the General Song Festival. Also recordings are following each other and in this year the album “Tik dzintars vien” (“Only the Amber”) is released, where the beloved songs such as “Somu pirts” (“Finnish sauna”) and “Vella kalpu dziesma” (“Song of Devil Servants”) is included. A legend tells that Raimonds Pauls had composed music for the beloved Latvian movie “Vella kalpi” (“Devil Servants”) within three days, when Imants Kalniņš mysteriously disappeared – he was the one who had to do that. And, thanks to this, sparkling Latvian songs were created, where a peculiar national patriotism twines through them.

In 1970 the song poll Mikrofons receive about 17’000 votes. And again – the song “Baltā saule” (“White Sun”) by Raimonds Pauls and lyrics by Ziedonis Purvs, performed by Margarita Vilcāne gets the most of the votes. It is followed by the song “Kam ziedi mežābele” (“What are You Blooming For, Crabapple Tree”) and “Cik klusa nakts” (“Such a Quiet Night”) by Raimonds Pauls.

The poet Jānis Peters addresses Pauls indicating that his songs require fresh breeze. Raimonds Pauls come to his home and says: “If you are that smart, then write those lyrics by yourself. I need a listener- this is the most important thing for me. I need halls be full with audience. I don’t want to experience a moment, when there is no audience anymore.” And so their cooperation began – the first order – two songs – of which the first is “Ances romance” (“Ance’s Romance”), but the second, which comes in the hands of Raimonds Pauls, is the lyrics of the song “Zilā” (“The Blue”). The musicians of the orchestra grin about the lyrics by the poet, but the stately basketball player Viktors Lapčenoks, who has just joined to the Riga Light Music Orchestra, sings it out so good, that everybody is left with mouth open. Such easy lyrics can conjure unusual characters up, and Peters makes it even better in the cycle “Rīgas vitrāžas” (“The Stained Glass Panels of Riga”), which was created as a theatrical performance with special costumes. With these and other common compositions the cooperation started between Raimonds Pauls and Jānis Peters, which results in several excellent compositions in the field of popular music. The cooperation between Pauls and Lapčenoks also started the same year. “Viktors Lapčenoks approached me – skinny, weak, with bandy legs, simply bones… And then he said, that knows one of Tom Jones songs. Well, I listened to him and understood that everything will be great. And still is. Just listen to him singing “Zilā” (“The Blue”)! Fantastic! There is many things happened in Viktors’ life, but he is still on the stage,” remembers Maestro.

In 1971, weary of the unceasing concert life, Raimonds Pauls leaves the RLMO. All this seems like the end of the world. Raimonds Pauls wants to finish music for three movies –“Vella kalpi vella dzirnavās” (“The Servants of the Devil in the Windmill of the Devil”), “Tauriņdeja” (“The Butterfly Dance”) and the musical movie “Dziesma par Rīgu” (“Song about Riga”).

The winner of the Mikrofons song poll with almost 13’000 votes is Raimonds Pauls with “Teic, kur zeme tā” (“Tell Me Where That Land Is”) performed by Nora Bumbiere, Margarita Vilcāne, Viktors Lapčenoks un Ojārs Grīnbergs. The next three ranks are taken by his songs as well – “Zilā” (“The Blue”), “Somu pirts” (“Finnish Sauna”) and “Savāda vasara” (“Different Summer”), by which a new duet is made (later also in private life) – Nora Bumbiere and Viktors Lapčenoks. The song “Teic, kur zeme tā” (“Tell Me Where That Land Is”) scares the government men by its too big Latvian confidence gleam, and the Latvian S.S.R. TV suggests not to organize this kind of events and poll.

However, Pauls leaves RLMO with a reason. He leaves it to form a smaller band of musicians, the so-called vocally instrumental ensemble or, as it is seen in the West, a rock band which would be more flexible for the implementation of his creative ideas. The composer looks at the events in the up-and-coming Latvian rock music and notices an ensemble Katedrāle that is well recognized in the youngster audience. When the band dissolves, Raimonds Pauls involves the guitarist and composer of the band Gunārs Šimks and the drummer Vladimirs Smirnovs in his new project. And the piano is, of course, left in the hands of Raimonds Pauls himself.  After that the band moves to the radio studio, where they record accompaniments for several songs of Soviet authors – in order to achieve a good interplay and to understand each other by half a word. The band has no real name and it is designated with the word Studija (Studio), by characterizing their aims to work in recordings, not in loud concerts. Nora Bumbiere and Viktors Lapčenoks also join to their band. Pauls still surprises – “Trīs seni Latvijas čigānu motīvi” (“Three Old Motives of Latvian Gypsies”) with Janis Peters’ lyrics, which is brand new in the light-music genre. The same can be said about the cycle with Daina Avotiņa’s lyrics, which is created when the radio musicians joins to them – Kārlis Rūtentāls, the electrical organ player and Ivars Birkāns, the virtuoso of wind instruments and experienced jazz-man. Pauls’ “Spēļu nakts Duntes krogā” (“Gaming Night at Duntes Bar”) has the same complexity peak during this art period, and after this Pauls concludes that the audience loves the sing-along and dance-along songs more, such as “Rudacīte” (“Ginger-eyed”) (from the movie “Dāvana vientuļai sievietei” (“A Present for a Lonely Woman”)) or the beautiful waltz “Vēju stundā” (“In Wind Hour”).

In 1972 the television movie is made on the composer “Un atkal Raimonds Pauls” (“And again – Raimonds Pauls”).

Parallel to this, at the beginning of the 70s the composer creates his first songs for the choir. In 1971 Raimonds Pauls composes three songs for the piano to the repertory of chamber choir “Ave Sol”. The chorus singers sing them without words – so touching, crazy and hot. The ringtone of the little disc released in 1971 with black-and-white lithography on the cover is “Manai Dzimtenei” (“To My Homeland”) – Raimonds Pauls’ dedication to the century of the Latvian Song Festival. This song, performed by all choirs of Song Festival in polyphony, sounds away on the Mežaparks open-air stage a year after its composing and becomes an integral part of the repertory of the Song Festival.

The light-music cycle “Vecās Rīgas vitrāžas” (“The Old Stained Glass Panels of Riga”) is released in 1971, but a year later – “Piecas dziesmas ar D. Avotiņas vārdiem” (“Five Songs with Daina Avotiņa’s Lyrics”). In 1973 the fifth of Paul’s recordings is released – “Jūras balss” (“The Voice of the Sea”), where the songs included are recorded together with Latvian Radio and TV Light Music Orchestra lead by Alnis Zaķis. But in 1974 the recording “Nekal mani gredzenā” (“Do Not Chisel Me into the Ring”), where the song “Pusnakts balāde” (“Midnight Ballad”) is eternalized, and “Sikspārņa Fledermauša šūpuļdziesma” (“The Lullaby of the Bat Fledermausis”) as well. In this period of time the small vinyls with so-called “joke songs” are released – the songs from the play “Īsa pamācība mīlēšanā” (“A Short Instruction in Love”) in 1974, “Tā es tevi mīlēšu” (“I Will Love You So”), and “Joku dziesmas” (“Joke Songs”) in 1975.

In 1974 the ensemble of Raimonds Pauls joins the professional bands of the Latvian State Philharmonic Music-hall. There are some changes in the structure – Vladimirs Boldirevs becomes the drummer, Boriss Bannihs plays the bass and Zigmārs Liepiņš takes the place at the keys of the piano, the pianist from Liepāja, who is also a composer. In 1975 the ensemble adopts the name “Modo”, and Aija Kukule joins to this band as a soloist – the new favorite of Raimonds Pauls, in whom he sees a huge potential of a dramatic singer, as well as Mirdza Zīverte – one of the brightest interpreters of Pauls’ compositions. Contests were a fashion tendency that time, were the band gets awards. In 1974 “Modo” becomes a winner of the Soviet Union Light Music contest. A tour in the cities of the then Soviet Union begins. Zigmārs Liepiņš, the musician and composer, says: “Carelessness was impossible in the ensemble “Modo”, because there was no reason for it. The creative atmosphere was fantastic! We prepared a new program twice a year, not even talking about the fact that in meantime we were composing music for movies and theatre; besides those songs, which somehow were not included in the program, were sung on the radio.”

In 1975 music is composed for the movie “Mans draugs – nenopietns cilvēks” (“My Friend the Rattlebrain”) by Jānis Streičs.

In 1976 Mikrofons song poll takes place again. As a tradition – Pauls wins again with “Mēmā dziesma” (“Speechless Song”). In this year almost all of Top 5 songs belong to Pauls – “Inese” (“Inese”), “Atmiņas par Beranžē (Tāls Parīzes radio)” (“Memories about Beranger (Far Paris Radio)” and “Latviešu jūrniekiem” (“For Latvian Sailors”). However, the third place takes the song by the musician Zigmars Liepiņš from the band “Modo” – “Pusnakts stundā” (“In the Midnight Hour”).

The ensemble visits the countries of the socialism bloc (Poland, Bulgaria, Eastern Germany) in 1976. One of the most favorite song “Tava balss” (Mēmā balss) ((“Your voice” (“Speachless Voice”)) is performed in the prestigious song competition of “Sopota”, however the judges decides to give the first rank in favor of Russian representative in accordance with internal hierarchy of the Member States.

By arranging his 40-anniversary concert, Raimods Pauls establishes a new tradition – at the beginning of the year to meet with his listeners and give something similar to creative report on the accomplished things in the previous period, as well as to surprise the listeners with something unheard before and take out a new artist on the stage. That year Pauls decides to celebrate also the 20-anniversary of the Latvian light music songs, marking the genre beginning with the date of founding his former sextet. The composer gathers that-time popular musicians in the concerts at the Philharmonic Great Hall.

In 1976 Pauls composes music for the performance “Pāri, kas dabonas” (“Get Leftovers”.

The pianist and composer talent of Raimonds Pauls pushes over his land borders – his songs are translated into Italian, German and Russian. In 1976 Maestro is assigned the honorable Latvian S.S.R. Performer’s Award. Thanks to the friendship with Aleksandrs Grīva, the main sound producer of the movie “Melodija” (“Melody”), Pauls gets into MIDEM, the international music fair in Cannes, where he presents the latest album “Priekšnojauta” (“Presentiment”) by the ensemble “Modo” in 1977.

The dizzy success of Pauls’ song “Par pēdējo lapu” (“On the Last Leaf”) surprises even himself, and this song deservedly wins in the song poll Mikrofons 1977. This song becomes the last song performed by Nora Bumbiere being in “Modo”staff – the emerged teenager conflict puts everything in places – it is time for new songs and voices.

Pauls’ vinyl “Naktsputni” (“Nightbirds”) becomes an absolute hit. It is performed by Mirdza Zīvere, Aija Kukule and Pārsla Gebharde. The song “Tai pilsētā” (“In That City”) is also included and becomes a favorite listener’s song in the song poll Mikrofons 1978; in its final concert the first performance of the song “Es aiziet nevaru” (“I Cannot Leave”) is made by Mirdza Zīvere. This songs becomes and absolute winner in the song poll Mikrofons 1979. The ensemble “Modo” lead by Pauls records seven discs within seven years; that is why the Pauls’ announcement on leaving “Modo” worries the circles of the light-music lovers – leaving it in the hands of Zigmars Liepiņš. Pauls is tired of active performing and wants to finish the work on his own full-length musical “Māsa Kerija” (“Sister Carry”), which is expected to take be taken out at the Musical Comedy Theatre. At first the role of Herstwood is given to Žoržs Siksna, the new discovery of Pauls. Each of discovered soloists somehow opens a new point of view in the composer’s fantasy. Pauls does not spare his time and creativity to his singers – makes a new repertory, while musical circles of Moscow takes interest in his previously created compositions.

In 1978 Pauls composes music for the movie “Teātris” (“Theatre”) by Jānis Streičs. The main role is given to Vija Artmane, the popular actress across the entire USSR. The movie is shown is all the cinemas of USSR. Moreover, in 1979 the musical “Māsa Kerija” (“Sister Carry”) is granted the award of international musical movie contest in Gdansk. In 1979 music is composed for two ballet performances – “Ritmi, ritmi” (“Rhytms, Rhytms”) and “Vitrāžas” (“Stained Glass”).  The song “Es aiziet nevaru” (“I cannot leave”) by Raimonds Pauls and Vizma Belševica, which was firstly performed last year, wins the song poll Mikrofons 1979. The song “Upei pāri” (“Across the River”) is firstly announced by the judges as the best light-music song.

In 1979 Raimonds Pauls becomes the art director for musical bodies (radio choir, symphonic orchestra and Latvian TV and Radio variety and light music orchestra) of the Latvian State Television and Broadcasting committee. The position imposes a huge responsibility as well as gives wider creative opportunities. That is why Pauls starts to use the potential of the professional choir by composing them unusual repertory in style of light music. Meanwhile Pauls continues to take our his new discoveries on the stage – Ingus Pētersons lights up in 1979, who breaks girls’ hearts with the songs written especially for his sonorous tenor.

The songs in the recording “Trīs runči” (“Three Tomcats”) performed by Edgars Liepiņš is supplemented by the loud laughs, applauses and assent of the “Theatre Dailes” actors’ ensemble “Mūžīgais Unisons”, thus creating alive and funny background for the spoken and sung by Liepiņš. This is the idea of the sound producer Grīva. The musicians of the Radio Orchestra are also participating in the recording with laughs and different comments, by creating this album like never before. However, this is the only case, when Pauls’ previous records are not put through the Soviet censure.  Despite this, such songs as “Lācīti” (“Bear”), “Tāpēc jau, ka nevar zināt kāpēc” (“Because Nobody Knows Why”), “Balta kaza” (“White Goat”), “Lora” (“Lora”) is played nowadays. The forbidden songs expanded from hand to hand – being copied in tapes. Liepiņš performs with this program for many years, thus starting a successful cooperation between Pauls and singing actors. Talking about the singing actors, Maestro says: “I like actors, who know how to sing. Edgars Liepiņš, Jānis Paukštello, Harijs Spanovskis, Imants Skrastiņš… No professional singer will ever sing like they do. They take the lyrics of the song to the listeners, besides they use their actor’s talent. This is their trump card.”

The next discovery of Pauls is Imants Skrastiņš, who underestimates his own singer’s talent. However, the song “Kamolā tinēja” (“The Winder of the Ball”) with the lyrics of Vizma Belševica performed by Skrastiņš receives more than 20’000 listener’s votes in the song poll Mikrofons 1980. This is the first time, when a song, which is perfomed by an actor, wins in the song poll Mikrofons, while the song “Muļķe sirds” (“Silly Heart”) gets the second rank. All this year Pauls spends his time by working on the recording of the album “Sapņu pīpe” (“Dream Tabacco Pipe”).

In 1980 Raimonds Pauls starts to work as a lecturer in the Conservatory, where he gives the jazz improvisation class until 1983. One of his apprentices is Harijs Bašs, which was considered an infant prodigy in his childhood. Pauls undertakes to raise a clutch of jazz enthusiasts; however their attitude and absence in lessons destroys his intention. Pauls understands that he wastes his time by waiting the students at the instrument in the lonely classroom, if Moscow’s audience cheers him in full concerts. In 1981 Raimonds Pauls gives his first solo concert in Moscow, which is hosted by Alla Pugachova, the Queen of the Soviet light music. She calls Raimonds her own Maestro. The audience gives rapturous applause to every performance by the new musician Bašs and singer Olga Pīrāga. Both are musicians of the student ensemble “Inversija”, and Raimonds Pauls is also responsible for this collective. The composer acquires a new road leading to an audience of tens of millions and it is followed by regular performances under the red stars of the Kremlin. He has an idea to take the boys choir of the Musical School of Emīls Dārziņš to Moscow, because as Pauls considers, this is a world-class-level choir. And this intention is realized. The cooperation with excellent Russian poets is initated. The songs of Raimonds Pauls in Russian use the stanzas of Andrey Voznesensky, Ilya Reznik and other well-known poets. Songs of Raimonds Pauls are performed by such stars of the light music as Alla Pugachova, Valery Leontyev, Jāks Joala, Roza Rimbajeva, Nikolay Gnatyuk and many others. Despite the great fame – the musician remains reserved. No feature shows fuss, except the movement of the hands – before touching the piano keys he stretches the finger joints little nervously. This gesture as well as sarcastic humor has become a recognition mark and a part of Maestro’s personality – if he says something, he hits the nail on the head. It happens, when a conversation mate takes offence, but it is said that nobody should argue with geniuses.

However, he is not as harsh as it seems and turns his attention towards children music. In 1980, by responding to the favor of Daila Martinsone, the leader of the children vocal ensemble „Dzeguzīte”, he agrees to compose something for her students. As it turns out, it is a fateful meeting and agreement. Pauls is the one, who takes out the children vocal ensemble on the stage, which becomes as famous as other stars in this kind of genre.  In 1981 Raimonds Pauls becomes the concert master and songwriter for the children vocal ensemble „Dzeguzīte”. Pauls highlights another discovery of him – the band “Dālderi”, which was little-known until the disco musical “Nāc pie puikām” was announced for a little older audience.

In the fall of 1981 Raimonds Pauls, together with the singing actor Imants Skrastiņš, goes on a tour to the USA and Canada. They perform in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, San Francisco, New York, appearing even in the famous Carnegie Hall. Pauls’ tunes from the performance “Šerloks Holmss” (“Sherlock Holmes”) of Dailes Theater are played in all corners of Latvia. In his anniversary concert he introduces another discovery and “Credo”, an ensemble from Liepaja experiences its big break.

The year of 1981 is significant with the giving the viewers the popular Latvian comedy “Limuzīns Jāņu nakts krāsā” (“Limousine in the Color of Summer Solstice Night”) by the film director Jānis Streičs; its songwriter is Raimonds Pauls.

In the song poll Mikrofons 1981 the song “Dāvāja Māriņa” (“Given by Marina”) by Maestro receives the most votes. It is performed by Aija Kukule and Līga Kreicberga, the member of the children vocal ensemble “Dzeguzīte”. The story of this song is quite interesting – Pauls was chaffing Līga during another rehearsal of “Dzeguzīte” – she started crying, and the composer, by trying to apologize to her, said that he would write a song as a dedication to Līga. And so he did.

The discovery of new voices and collectives constantly attracts the attention of Pauls’ listeners and always saves the intrigue – which new talents will be introduced by Maestro. And Pauls never disappoints. In 1982 his song “Cielaviņa” (“Wagtail”) performed by Jānis Paukštello wins again in the song poll Mikrofons; Raimonds Pauls becomes the Champion of the song poll Mikrofons for eleven times in a row. Due to the fact that his songs are winning every year, Pauls announces that he will not participate in this poll anymore, thus giving the chance to the new artists.  In this year the music for the performance “Nāc pie puikām” (“Come with Boys”) is composed.

In 1983 Maestro devotes a song and whole solo program “Atgriešanās” (“Returning”) to the singer Aija Kukule. Meanwile Viktors Lapčenoks, as the radio solist and the leading singer of the band “Inversija”, flares up with such songs as “Vardīte” (“Froggy”), “Pelnrušķīte” (“Cinderella”), “Dakters dos” (“Doctor will Give”) un “Kad saule no mums novērsās” (“When the Sun Turned Away from Us”).

As a result of the creative action during this period of time, choir music is created for a boys’ choir in 1980 – 10 arrangements of Latvian folk songs and the song cycle with the lyrics of Aspazija. A year later, in 1981 he composes “Baltās dziesmas” (“The White Songs”) for the boys’ choir and instrumental ensemble, but in 1984 – a song cycle for the piano and boys’ choir. In 1985 he creates ten songs with the lyrics of M.Karēms for the piano and boys’ choir. During this time the cycles of the light music are composed as well – “Austrumu motīvi” (“Eastern Motives”) in 1982, “Pilsētas romance” (“Romance of City”) in 1983 and “Melnais kliedziens” (“The Black Cry”) and “Cikls ar Raiņa vārdiem” (“Cycle with the Lyrics of Rainis”) in 1985.

At the same time with constant composing and discovering new talents, he Pauls is also moving up the career ladder – in 1984 he is elected as the secretary of board in the Composer Union of Latvia S.S.R., but in 1985 he is granted the highest degree of title in the Republic- the People’s Artist of the USSR! In this year Raimonds Pauls is elected as a member of the LSSR Supreme Council; that-time it was the highest government body in Soviet Latvia.

The music of Maestro Raimonds Pauls charms not only the fans of Latvian light music. His composed “Dāvāja Māriņa” (“Given by Marina”) also known as “Миллион aлых роз” (A Million of Scarlet Roses) becomes the hit of the life of Alla Pugachova , as well as conquers the Japense music market with the translated edition, by bringing gratitude and fame to the author. While visiting Japan, Pauls is welcomed almost as a member of a royal family. During this period of time two movies are made in honor of the excellent composer – “Raimonds Pauls” in 1977, and “Maestro bez frakas” (Maestro without Tailcoat”) in 1985.

In the anniversary concert, which took place in 1986, he announces another novelty – the band “Remix”. The exigency for its creation comes from the Pauls’ responsibility for radio musical collectives, as well as the necessity to gather the musicians operatively, who would be able to prepare and score the song accompaniments for different soloists. The members joined in the band turns out to be mostly from Liepāja – Uldis Marhilečs, the jazz-pianist student of Pauls, the drummer Vilnis Krieviņš, the guitarist Aivars Hermanis, and Rodrigo Fomins (Igo), the owner of a strong voice. In this concert Pauls brings Nora Bumbiere and Viktors Lapčenoks together – the duet beloved by the audience – into the song “Viss nāk uz aiziet tālumā” (“Everything Comes and Goes Far Away”). In this year the cycle “Pērļu zvejnieks” (“Pearl-Fisher”) is composed for boys’ choir and tenor.

In 1986 on the initiative of Raimonds Pauls the All-Union Festival of Young Singers “Jūrmala” is created. Igo wins the contest in the first year, and the song “Kā senā dziesmā” (“Like in Old Song”) by Raimonds Pauls with the lyrics of Peters is firstly perfomed in the Concert Hall “Dzintari”. The position of the jugde of this contest joins to other Maestro responsibilities, which lasts for tens of years – also in the 21st century, when the contest “Jūrmala” has transformed into “Jaunais Vilnis” (“The New Wawe”), which now has a different kind of quality and sound.

In 1987 Laima Vaikule is the one, who becomes the new star of Pauls in the solo concert in Moscow. It is a new challenge for Maestro, because the charming lady Laima Vaikule is not a beginner on the stage, and now it is time to compose for a mature personality with its own “I”. However, he evaluates the huge potential, which flows out of the young lady. The first solo album of Laima Vaikule is recorded in Radio Studio together with the band “Remix”, which is the first step towards the hearts of the Soviet-land listeners, and the young lady makes it work with a vengeance. The composer creates songs for her in both Latvian and Russian, which are still sung by Laima Vaikule today.

The premiere of “Vella būšana” (“A Matter of the Devil”) with the music of Maestro takes place in 1987.

In 1988 Raimonds Pauls contributes to the renaissance of Eduards Rozenštrauhs by organizing joint concerts. In this year Raimonds Paul is elected as the Chairman of the Committee on Culture of The Latvian S.S.R., but along with the change of the job title he is the Latvian Minister of Culture starting from 1989-1993. There are piano placed in his office, and the official visitors blink in wonder, if Pauls vouchsafes them with an improvised concert. He accomplishes a lot of thing during this period of time – encourages the visits of the foreign Latvians’ artistic collectives to Latvia, takes care of repair works in Valmiera and Opera-House, organizes the shipping the ashes of the excellent composer Jāzeps Vītols to the homeland, as well as establishes the Big Music Award – a prize for cheering the best Latvian musicians in academic genre.

In 1998 the first official Christmas concert takes place, which was Maestro Raimonds Pauls’ idea. Igo, Andris Daņiļenko, the boys’ choir, “Dzeguzīte” and the jazz sextet led by Einārs Verro also participates in the concert.  In this year Raimonds Pauls gives his first solo concert in Helsinki, Finland.

In 1992 Raimonds Pauls together with Dainis Porgants presents his solo concert “Mana dziesma Latvijai” (“My Song for Latvia”) in Canada and the USA. In 1992 the composer establishes the tradition of Latvju Ziņģe (Latvian Popular Song Concert) which is an especially democratic concert and festival of schlager music at the same time and is held on the Līgo night. He becomes the Honor Member of the Latvian Academy of Sciences.  Maestro establishes a new tradition – Midsummer night events of Raimonds Pauls, which become an annual tradition and is held in dfferent Latvian cities every year.

In 1993 the concert program “Skumjas acis jums šovakar…” (“You Have Such Sad Eyes…”) with the lyrics of Austra Skujiņa is given to the evaluation of the listeners. The composer has dedicated these songs to Aija Kukule.

1993 – 1998 Raimonds Pauls acts as the Cultural Advisor to the President of the State Guntis Ulmanis and at the same time (1993 – 1995) works as the head conductor and art director of the Latvia Radio big band.

Pauls preserves the friendship with the children vocal ensemble “Dzeguzīte”. In 1993 when the ensemble required a new repertory, the leader of the ensemble Daila Martinsore introduces Maestro with the promising poet Guntars Račs. The song “Anniņa vanniņā” (“Annina in Bath”) is created, which is still popular hit in nowadays. The cooperation initiates a line with common compositions.

On 20 June 1994 the first musical album of Raimonds Pauls in CD format is released. It is called “…un sākas viss no gala” (“…and everything starts anew”) and contains new arrangements for songs written in various creative periods. Raimonds Pauls receives the Big Musical Award ‘1994 for the poetic performance “Visi koki dieva doti” (“Every Tree You See by God is Given Thee”), the concert “Svinga laiks” (“It’s Time for Swing”) and the CD recording “Ziemassvētkos” (“In Christmas”).

The premiere the musical “Meža gulbji” (“Forest Swans”) with the fairytale theme by Anderson takes place at Dailes Theatre in 1995.  Pauls cooperates with the poet Māra Zālīte. In that year a two-CD edition is released, which is the first in Latvian music industry – the song selection of Pauls’ light-music “Zelta 60” (“Golden 60”), which reflects just a tiny part of Maestro composition.

In 1996 – in his 60-anniversary concert – Maestro gathers the popular musicians on the stage of Latvian Nationan Opera – Mirdza Zīvere, Igo, Aija Kukule, Viktors Lapčenoks and Laima Vaikule.  Raimonds Pauls goes on an anniversary tour in the cities of Latvia, followed by concerts in the USA and Canada together with Laima Vaikule and “Dzeguzīte”. This marks the end of the long tours in his career as a pianist.

In 1997 the Pauls’ music is heard in the movie “Likteņdzirnas” (“The Hand-Mill of Fate”).  The new talent of Pauls, Normunds Rutulis gets an attention with the song “Par to” (“Raudāja māte”) (“About this” (“The Mother Cried”)) perfomed by the actor Artūrs Skrastiņš in the movie.

Maestro decides that it is time for searching the new talents among the least singers. After his initiative the contest of the children-singers “Cālis” is established in 1997, which becomes the most popular children song contest.

In 1998 Raimonds Pauls, together with local and foreign soloists, gives a concert in the Latvian National Opera commemorating the centenary of George Gershwin. Marija Naumova and Gunārs Kalniņš, the ex-ensembler of “Dzeguzīte” is also participating.

A dedication for Emīls Dārziņš is created together with the choir “Kamēr” led by the conductor Māris Sirmais – the audience cannot hold the tears in and stands up when cheering after every performance “Melanholiskais valsis” (“Melancholy Waltzh)” with Artūrs Skrastiņš in the main role. The composition program and album “Bach. Kamēr. Pauls” is created together with the choir “Kamēr”, where the harpsichord and fugue arrangements of “The Well-Tempered Clavier” by J.S.Bach are included.

In the spring of 1998 the program “Regtaims operā” (“Ragtime in Opera”) is created; in 1999 the first spiritual musical cycle “Liec galvu krusta priekšā” (“Bow Your Head in Front of the Cross”) for men choir and a soloist is composed.

In 2000 Maestro is granted a Lifetime Achievement Award by the organizers of “The Big Music Award” for his investment in the development of Latvian music.

The premiere of the musical performance “Leģenda par Zaļo Jumpravu” (“The Legend of the Green Maiden”) with Gunārs Kalniņš in the main role takes place in 2000. This musical performance is targeted to young people audience. The band “bet bet” participates in this performance with live musical accompaniment, which has decided to release the most popular melodies of Pauls within new sounds in the album “Nepārmet man” (“Don’t Blame Me”). Maestro does not want to return in the past, preferring to abandon himself to the new challenges of the new century. Politics become one of it – Pauls is hoping to realize his intentions in cultural policy together with confederates. 1998 – 2002 he is a member of the 7th Saeima (from the political party Jaunā partija), acts as the deputy chairman in the Education, Culture and Science Commission. 2002 – 2006 he is a member of the 8th Saeima (from the political party Tautas partija), is a member in the Education, Culture and Science Commission and the Inquiry Commission. The Pauls’ intentions do not come true. The opening of “Vernisāža” in 1998 is his initiative – it is a place for creative intelligence to attend the events of musical performances and concerts at the Piano Bar. But shortly after its opening it must be concluded, that it is money who talks, and it is not enough with pure noble purposes. However, the painful feelings and big money lost in the banks cannot shake the composer’s self-confidence about the fact, that the value of music as well as talent given by God cannot be calculated in money.

In 2000 the creative cooperation between Raimonds Pauls and Riga Russian Theatre is initiated, when his musical “Kerija” (“Carry”) experiences its second birthday on the stage – it is the best musical performance composed at Latvian Drama theatres in 1999/2000. After that Alla Sigalova rehearses the role in the performance “Kabīrijas naktis” (“The Nights of Cabiria”), and Raimonds Pauls is asked to compose a music for it. It is followed by the performances-concerts “Solo aktrisei un orķestrim” (“Solo for Actress and Orchestra”), “Vecais pulkstenis” (“The Old Clocks”) and “Raimonds Pauls. Izlase” (“Raimonds Pauls. Golden Hits”).

In 2001 during the Pauls’ anniversary concert, Ance Krauze experiences her own baptism of fire. By the time a new duet is formed – Ance Krauze and Normunds Rutulis.

In 2002 Raimonds Pauls once again performs in Moscow with triumphant concerts that feature Alla Pugačova, Valērijs Ļeontjevs, Laima Vaikule and singers from Latvia.

The cooperation between Raimonds Pauls and Jānis Peters reflects in the theater performances, as well as on the music albums. They create the performance “Dāmu paradīze” (“Paradise of Ladies”) in 2001, which is later followed by other performances. The lyrics of Peters can be also heard in the solo album “Vīna dvēsele” (“The Soul of Wine”) by Normunds Rutulis, 2004. Raimonds Pauls’ kindly feelings for singing actors are expressed in dedication to the masculine timbre owned by Harijs Spanovskis – “Rudens Rīga”(“Autumn’s Riga”), which is announced as the Best Schlager Album in 2000 at “The Big Music Award” according to the Commission’s evaluation.

It is a great honor for musicians to cooperate with Maestro. Latvia is represented in the contest of the new artists “Jaunais Vilnis” (“The New Wave”) by Jānis Stībelis in 2002 and Intars Busulis in 2005. After that Maestro introduces Stībelis to the Russian audience, but the composition arrangements are made for Busulis together with the choir “Kamēr”, as well as prepares a serious song cycle “Dievs dod” (“God Gives”) with lyrics of Yevgeniy Evstusehnko and creates another common projects.

The premiere of the Dailes theatre performance “Melanholiskais valsis” (“Melancholy Waltz”) takes place in 2005. Pauls as a composer takes a step back in front of its author Emīls Dārziņš and shows him respect in Pauls’ piano improvisations in this concert-story.

Several albums of Pauls are released in 2005 – “Sonja Bishop sings Raimonds Pauls”, where the Swedish singer Sonja Bishop sings 14 of Raimonds Pauls’ songs in English; there are Pauls’ songs with lyrics of Guntars Račs in “Mana privātā dzīve” (“My Private Life”) performed by the actor’s ensemble “Drama”, which are new and have not been published yet, as well as the latest song summary “Zili brīnumi” (“Blue Wonders”) by Raimonds Pauls and Guntars Račs, which is performed by Ance Krauze and Normunds Rutulis.

In 2006 a new duet is introduced in Latvian music – the first joint album “Pasaule ir skaista” (“The World is Beautiful”) by Liene Šomase and Jānis Moisejs, where the songs of Pauls with lyrics of Guntars Račs are included.  The piano is recorded by Raimonds Pauls.

The tradition is continued and the Raimonds Pauls’ birthdays are celebrated by an ambitious concert. The Singing Festival of Raimonds Pauls takes place for the first time at the Arena Riga in 2006, after which the album of this concert is released. It is organized by Zigfrīds Muktopāvels, the singer and the participant of the big concert.

A special album called “Tāpēc jau, ka nevar zināt kāpēc” (“Because Nobody Knows Why”) is released in honor of the anniversary remembrance and unveiling the monument of the actor Edgars Liepiņš.

In 2007 Raimonds Pauls participates in the Second International Jazz Festival in Liepāja with the concert “I and others from Liepāja”. Pauls says: “I am engaged with Liepāja since my early years. I always enjoy playing at Liepāja Theater. I don’t want to brag, but I am one of the first ones who started to play together with Liepāja Symphonic Orchestra in light genre.  We had piano compositions, we had a record. Ozoliņš is an arranger himself, it was easy to cooperate with him, because he likes this stuff. After me there were others from Liepāja cooperating with the Symphonic Orchestra, for example, the band “Līvi”.

The arrangements of the folk songs by Maestro Raimonds Pauls in the program “Veltījums tautasdziesmai” (“The Deduction to a Folk Song”) are played in the general program of Latvian Song and Dance Festival in 2008. This program is prepared by Raimonds Pauls together with jazz, rock and pop artists of the new generation like 50 years ago by proving the vitality of this kind of synergy.

By preparing music for theatre performances, Pauls remains loyal to the feel of Peters’ poetry. The performances such as “Draudzes bazārs” (“The Church Bazaar”) in 2006, “Sapnis pār Brodveju” (“A Dream about Broadway”) in 2010 and “Trubadūrs uz ēzeļa” (“Troubadour on a Donkey”) are created together, which in a meantime is a dedication to the poet Jānis Sudrabkalns.

In 2010 Pauls is granted the Order of Honor of the Russia due to the investment in strengthening the Russian and Latvian cultural connection and popularization of the Russian language. He receives the Latvian government Award – Award of the Cabinet of Ministers due to his investment in preserving and developing the traditions of the Latvian Song and Dance Festival, and as well the perennial artistic action in the creation of musical repertory dedicated to children and young people.

The premiere of the musical performance “Leo.Pēdējā bohēma” (“Leo.Last Bohemia”) takes place at National Theatre in September 2010 – a musical dedication by the composer to his friend and painter Leo Kokle with Maestro himself at the piano.

After Andris Ērglis participation in the song contest “Jaunais vilnis” (“The New wave”), Maestro composes “Dziesmiņa par piedošanu” (“The Song about Forgiveness”) for him, which is followed by the solo album “Caur rozā brillēm” (“Through Pink Glasses”) with the lyrics of Guntars Račs.

In 2011 the 75-anniversary of Maestro is celebrated at Arena Riga by unprecedented event – Song Festival of Raimonds Pauls, where hundreds of choir singers participate as well as soloists selected by Maestro.

Pauls continues his cooperation with singing actors – Maestro devotes melodies in the performance “Marlēna” (“Marlena”) to the diva of Dailes Theatre Rēzija Kalniņa; Madara Botmane and Juris Jope, the new and singing actors of the National Theatre become the selected ones for the poetry and song program “Vēja ziedi” (“Blossoms of the Wind”) as well as the program prepared in 2012 with the lyrics of Imants Ziedonis.

Maestro continues to cooperate with Russian artists. The joint album “Dai, Bog” (“God Gives”) by Pauls and the poet Yevgeniy Evtushenko is released in 2012, where the stars of the Russian show business participate – Vladimir Preshnakov, Irina Alegrova, Leonid Agutin, Angelika Varum, Aleksandr Buynov, Valery Meladze and our  Laima Vaikule.

The song album “Lidojums ar gaisa balonu” (“Flight by Air Balloon”) by the children vocal ensemble “Dzeguzīte” is released in 2013, where brand new songs by Maestro with the lyrics of Guntars Račs are included. There are instrumental accompaniments and lyrics of all songs. As a result of Pauls’ and Račs’ creative cooperation, a sheet music book is released – “100 Raimonda Paula dziesmas ar Guntara Rača vārdiem” (“100 songs of Raimonds Pauls with the Lyrics of Guntars Račs”), which is followed by the concert tour all over Latvia. A new song album as a dedication to Laima Vaikule – “Atkal mājās” (“Back to Home Again”) – is released in this year.

The cooperation continues with Riga Russian Theatre in 2014. The performance “Odesa – burvīgā pilsēta” (“Odessa – the Charming City”) is like an anthem of Odessa – a bright and popular Southern city beside the sea, the city of smugglers and poets, which laughs despite everything. The composer Raimonds Pauls, playwright Vyacheslav Verbin and director Vladimir Zolotar create a cultural myth about Odessa.

Riga is the European Capital of Culture in 2014. Due to this significant event an open-air stage is built near the Latvian National Opera, where the academic music stars born in Riga perform in the concert “Dzimuši Rīgā” (“Born in Riga”), and Raimonds Pauls is among these stars.  The concert cycle “Dzimuši Rīgā” (“Born in Riga”) emphasizes Riga as the connecting place for the excellent stars of the world music.  The place, where these artists have started their musical career and which has given so many great musicians to Europe and whole world.

Raimonds Pauls’ towards jazz has not disappeared. His new talent – the jazz singer Kristīne Prauliņa – is the stimulus for creation of new songs. The jazz music album “Melns ar baltu” (“Black and White”) is released in 2014.

The singer Zigfrīts Muktopāvels together with Maestro records the special “Christmas album” in 2014 – 13 songs by Raimonds Pauls with lyrics of Jānis Poruks, Aspazija, Jānis Jaunsudrabiņš, Jānis Peters, Vizma Belševica, Guntars Račs and others. In the song list there are classical songs of Pauls such as “Circenīša Ziemassvētki” (“Cricket’s Christmas”) “Balts sniedziņš snieg uz skujiņām” (“White Snow on the Needles”), “Cik klusa nakts” (“Such a Quiet Night”), “Kā sniegi kalnu galotnēs” (“Like Snow on the Top of the Tree”), “Zvani un sveces” (“Bells and Candles”). The cooperation among musicians continues within the band “bet, bet” – the music of Raimonds Pauls and lyrics of Guntars Račs in the album “Vasara nebeigsies nekad” (“The Summer will Never End”), which conquers the listeners’ hearts and becomes a hit on the radio.

The concert program “Maestro – Piano – Riga” is created in 2015, where the vocal compositions with the lyrics of Ojārs Vācietis, Guntars Račs, Jānis Peters un Knuts Skujenieks are included, which represents the creative work of Raimonds Pauls within a wide retrospect. The saxophonist Oskars Petrauskis, flautist Andis Klučenieks, base guitarist Pēteris Liepiņš and percussionist Normunds Everts of the Orchestra “Riga”, the singers Ance Krauze, Inga Šļubovska-Kancēviča, Daumants Kalniņš participate in the playing of miniatures. Maestro is at the piano. The duet “Lai kas arī nenotiktu” formed in 2014 also is performing with the song “Tu esi ceļš” (“You are the Way”).

Agnese Rakovska, the soloist of the band “Triānas parks” experiences her first performing together with Raimonds Pauls in 2015. In the concert program “Neaizmirsti mani” (“Do not Forget Me”) the bright stage artist surprises both audience and Maestro with her ability to be different by performing both jazz compositions and chanson.

By preparing to the 80 anniversary of Maestro Raimonds Pauls, Latvian Television organizes the contest of new talents in different Latvian cities. The winners of the region will be participating in the LTV special show “Mana dziesma” (“My Song”), where only the music of Maestro is played.

And so Maestro Raimonds Pauls keeps surprising with new compositions, bright talents and different concert programs, which provide halls full of audience.

2016

80. jubilejas gadu iesāk Raimondam Paulam veltītas mājaslapas www.raimondspauls.lv atklāšana. Tajā pieejams elektronisks maestro skaņdarbu katalogs, dziesmu notis, informācija par izpildītājiem, dziesmu pirmatskaņojumiem utt.

12. janvārī dzimšanas dienas koncertu Raimonds Pauls rīko Nacionālajā teātrī, dziedošo aktieru sniegumā skan melodijas no teātru izrādēm, kā arī visu laiku labākās maestro dziesmas.

Komponista jubilejas gadu ievadot, TV3 ziņu dienestā tapusi Arņa Krauzes dokumentālā filma “Kāpēc man dziedāt svešu dziesmu?” – atskats uz maestro mūžu, kas dokumentēts video.

30. janvārī notiek Raimonda Paula mūzikla “Spoks no Kentervilas” pirmizrāde (pēc Oskara Vailda noveles “Kentervilas spoks”) Mihaila Čehova Rīgas krievu teātrī ar 18 muzikāliem numuriem. Galvenās lomas atveido Veronika Plotņikova, Oļegs Teterins, Jeļena Sigova, Olga Ņikuļina, Pāvels Griškovs un citi.

15. martā pirmo reizi Mūzikas ierakstu gada balvas “Zelta mikrofons” 20 gadu pastāvēšanas vēsturē tiek pasniegta īpaša balva – “Dimanta mikrofons”, to saņem Raimonds Pauls.

2016. gada aprīlī maestro Raimonda Paula vārdadienā Liepājas pārstāvniecībā Rīgā notiek albuma “Nepārtrauc sievieti, kas klusē” atvēršanas pasākums. Diskā grupa “Sērkociņu cehs” ierakstījusi deviņas Paula dziesmas ar Leona Brieža un Evitas Mamajas dzeju no mūzikla “Marlēna”. Klavieru skaņas ir paša maestro iespēlētas.

Maijā Samanta Tīna iedziedājusi Raimonda Paula un Jāņa Petera dziesmu “Kāds trakais mani uzgleznos”. Tā ierindojas 12. vietā “Muzikālajā bankā”.

2016. gada maijā izlasē “Zelta 80” (2 CD) izdoti Raimonda Paula pēdējo 30 gadu nozīmīgākie un populārākie ieraksti – 44 dziesmas (1986–2016), tostarp dziesmas no mūzikliem, kuri iestudēti Latvijas teātros, un brīvdabas izrāžu hiti. Izlasē rodami Intars Busulis, Dons, Zigfrīds Muktupāvels, Prāta vētra, Harijs Spanovskis, Ance Krauze, Normunds Rutulis, Liene Šomase, Dainis Porgants, Laima Vaikule, Remix, Jānis Sproģis, Aija Kukule, Kristīne Prauliņa, Madara Botmane un citi izpildītāji.

“Baltās paslēpes” – šajā 15 dziesmu albumā iekļautas īpaši pasaulslavenās operdziedātājas Elīnas Garančas balsij rakstītas maestro dziesmas ar Vizmas Belševicas dzeju, kas pirmatskaņotas šāda paša nosaukuma koncertā 18. septembrī Latvijas Nacionālajā teātrī.

16. septembrī uz Lielās ģildes skatuves notiek ilgi gaidītā divu maestro – Marisa Jansona un Raimonda Paula – muzikālā tikšanās, piepildot sen lolotu ieceri par abu dižgaru satikšanos uz skatuves. Marisa Jansona diriģētajā koncertā Raimonds Pauls atskaņo sava iecienītā amerikāņu komponista Džordža Gēršvina “Rapsodiju blūza stilā”, programmā iekļauta arī Raimonda Paula mūzikas svīta “Teātris”.

Kā veltījums maestro jubilejā izdots Valsts akadēmiskā kora “Latvija” un Māra Sirmā ieskaņotais albums “Rozes gars” – Raimonda Paula 24 kora dziesmu apkopojums. Tā tituldziesma ar Jāņa Petera dzeju tapusi kā veltījums Emīlam Dārziņam, albums prezentēts koncertos 1. un 2. novembrī LU Lielajā aulā.

2016. gadā, godinot maestro 80. jubilejā, koncertprogrammu “Cits Pauls” kopā ar Latvijas Radio bigbendu sagatavojis Ralfs Eilands.

25. oktobrī MicRec laiž klajā ģitārista Mārča Auziņa pirmo solo albumu “Viens”, kurā ierakstītas divpadsmit Raimonda Paula melodijas, aranžētas ģitārai.

Par godu Raimonda Paula jubilejas gadam un ilgi lolotam kopdarbam – maestro un meiteņu kora “Spīgo” diskam “Ja man saule roku dotu” – Jelgavas kultūras namā 3. novembrī notiek “Spīgo” koncerts ar komponista piedalīšanos. Programmā iekļauts “Upju dziesmu” cikls un divas dziesmas no “Saules dziesmu” cikla ar Ineses Zanderes vārdiem. Koncertā skan arī teātra mūzika ar Jāņa Petera dzeju, ko izpilda Ance Krauze.

18. novembrī Rīgas domes balva “Gada rīdzinieks 2016” piešķirta maestro Raimondam Paulam par izcilu ieguldījumu Latvijas mūzikas un sabiedriskās dzīves attīstībā un Rīgas atpazīstamības veicināšanu pasaulē.

2016. gada nogalē albumā “R. Pauls. Opera” apkopotas pasaules skaistākās operu ārijas Raimonda Paula, Latvijas Radio bigbenda un kamerorķestra “Sinfonietta Rīga” stīgu grupas izpildījumā. Albuma izdošanai seko vairāki prezentācijas koncerti.

Decembrī kino Splendid Palace skan Agneses Rakovskas un Raimonda Paula audiovizuālā koncertprogramma “Es visas tavas vienaldzības krāšu”, prezentējot albumu “Vienaldzības” CD un vinila formātā ar maestro dziesmu interpretācijām.

2017

Savā dzimšanas dienā, 12. janvārī, maestro Raimonds Pauls uzstājas atjaunotajā vēsturiskajā Dzintaru koncertzālē kopā ar Latvijas Radio bigbendu un “Sinfonietta Rīga” stīgu grupu ar operu āriju programmu.

2017. gadā vairākos koncertos 70. jubileju svin izcilais estrādes dziedātājs Viktors Lapčenoks, koncertos Dailes teātrī februārī piedalās īpašais viesis – Raimonds Pauls.

27. jūnijā Gruzijas vēstnieks Latvijā Teimurazs Džandžalija pasniedz maestro Raimondam Paulam Gruzijas prezidenta rīkojumu “Par Ojāra Raimonda Paula apbalvošanu ar Goda ordeni”.

17. jūlijā Raimonds Pauls piedalās Jūrmalas Festivāla atklāšanas koncertā.

2017. gadā top jaunu Raimonda Paula dziesmu albums “Kad tu ej pie bitēm”, kurā iekļautas 16 dziesmas ar Jāņa Petera un Leona Brieža vārdiem. Tās izpilda Intars Busulis, Dināra Rudāne, Marija Naumova, Normunds Rutulis, Kristīne Prauliņa, Zigfrīds Muktupāvels, Ralfs Eilands, Samanta Tīna, Mārtiņš Ruskis, Rūta Dūduma un Roberts Memmēns. Albuma atvēršanas svētki notiek 11. oktobra vakarā Latvijas Nacionālās bibliotēkas restorānā.

Kopš oktobra beigām Raimonds Pauls kopā ar solistiem Kristīni Prauliņu, Dināru Rudāni un Mārtiņu Kanteru (Ruski) koncertē vairākās Latvijas pilsētās, piedāvājot jaunu koncertprogrammu “Ielūdz maestro Raimonds Pauls”, kurā iekļautas pilnīgi jaunas kompozīcijas ar Guntara Rača, Jāņa Petera un Leona Brieža dzeju, maz dzirdētas teātra dziesmas, kā arī jau pazīstamas un klausītājiem tuvas kompozīcijas. Muzikālo sastāvu vadīt maestro uztic ģitāristam un aranžētājam Mārcim Auziņam, iesaistot mūziķus Kristapu Vanadziņu, Tomu Poišu un Rūdolfu Dankfeldu.

2018

Lai piešķirtu jaunu skanējumu Raimonda Paula dziesmām ar Imanta Ziedoņa vārdiem – latviešu estrādes mūzikas klasikas šedevriem, no kuriem vairums tapuši 70. gadu izskaņā, projektā “Visas taisnības” apvienojas mūziķi – Imanta Ziedoņa fonda “Viegli” biedri un viņu draugi Renārs Kaupers, Goran Gora, Māra Upmane-Holšteina, Elizabete Vētra, Edavārdi un citi. Jaunās versijas apkopotas albumā, atskaņotas koncertos 2., 3. un 4. martā RISEBA Arhitektūras un mediju centrā H₂O6.

2018. gada maijā izdots džeza vokālistes Kristīnes Prauliņas albums “Kontrasti” ar 15 jaunām Raimonda Paula dziesmām un Guntara Rača dzeju sadarbībā ar Latvijas Radio bigbendu, 24. maijā VEF kultūras pilī notiek albuma prezentācijas koncerts.

Tā paša gada jūlijā 400 CD kopijās MicRec izdod pavasarī veiktu Raimonda Paula dziesmu un skaņdarbu ierakstu “Dziedāšanas svētki koncertzālē “Lielais dzintars””. Tajā piedalās Valsts akadēmiskais koris “Latvija” diriģenta Māra Sirmā vadībā, Liepājas Simfoniskais orķestris, solisti un instrumentālisti. Šis ir komponista veltījums Dziesmu svētkiem, ierakstā piedalās Oskars Petrauskis (saksofons) un solisti Eduards Vācietis un Raivo Jonass.

26. septembrī uz ekrāniem nonāk filma “Homo novus” pēc Anšlava Eglīša tāda paša nosaukuma romāna (režisore Anna Viduleja) ar Raimonda Paula mūziku.

13. novembrī mūzikas namā “Daile” pirmatskaņota koncertprogramma “Raimonds Pauls un Daumants Kalniņš. Tikšanās Dailē”, kurā skan jaundarbs – cikls “Putnu dziesmas” (Ineses Zanderes vārdi) un citas. Raimonda Paula dziesmas un fragmenti no mūzikliem. Kopā ar maestro un Daumantu Kalniņu muzicē kamerorķestris Kaspara Ādamsona vadībā, Raimonds Macats, Oskars Sproģis un Artis Orubs.

2018. gada Raimonds Pauls saņem Autortiesību bezgalības balvu par mūziku Pētera Pētersona izrādei “Man 30 gadu”, kas sacerēta 1962. gada iestudējumam un atdzimusi līdz ar jauno iestudējumu Latvijas Nacionālajā teātrī (pirmizrāde 2018. gada 24. maijā).

2019

12. janvārī dzimšanas dienu komponists atzīmē mūzikas namā “Daile” koncertā “Tikšanās Dailē” ar dziedātāju Daumantu Kalniņu. Maijā šī programma izdota dubultalbumā “Tikšanās Dailē”.

2019. gada Valentīndienā Ogres kultūras centrā notiek programmas “Raimonds Pauls. Kino” (mūzika no filmām “Ilgais ceļš kāpās”, “Dāvana vientuļai sievietei”, “Depresija”, “Klāvs – Mārtiņa dēls”, “Likteņdzirnas” un citām ) pirmatskaņojums, piedalās maestro, Latvijas Radio bigbends, “Radio trio” – Katrīna Anna Vīgante, Madara Dzintara Pluša un Gabriela Zvaigznīte, stīgu grupa.

Februārī pirmatskaņots mūzikla “Māsa Kerija” koncertuzvedums Valda Lūriņa režijā, galvenās lomas atveido Kristīna Zaharova, Rihards Lepers un Normunds Rutulis.

Martā MicRec sērijā “Latviešu populārās mūzikas nošu grāmatas” izdod otro Raimonda Paula dziesmu nošu krājumu. Tajā līdzās populārām maestro dziesmām iekļautas gan pavisam jaunas, gan agrāk notīs nepublicētas un retāk atskaņotas, kā arī formas un satura ziņā komplicētākas dziesmas – “Lapsenes nāve” (Imants Ziedonis), “Šķiršanās dziesma” (Austra Skujiņa) un citas.

2019. gada pavasarī pie klausītājiem dodas Raimonda Paula un aktiera Andra Bērziņa jaunā dziesmu programma “Es šonakt sēdēšu uz jumta” – 12 jaunas dziesmas ar Leona Brieža, Guntara Rača un Jāņa Petera vārdiem, kā arī Imanta Ziedoņa, Viljama Šekspīra, Māras Zālītes, Raiņa un citu izcilu dzejnieku dzejas lasījumi Andra Bērziņa interpretācijā. Ieraksta izdevumam diskā seko maestro un Andra Bērziņa koncerti Latvijas pilsētās.

Maijā klajā nāk Raimonda Paula dziesmu grāmata ar 100 populārākajām maestro dziesmām bērniem (MicRec).

Vasaras saulgriežos Daugavmalā Rīgā bija iespēja dzirdēt maestro Raimonda Paula joku dziesmu programmu “Viena tante teica…”, kurā piedalījās Ginta Krievkalna, Ieva Kerēvica, Aija Vītoliņa, Andris Ērglis un citi.

2019. gadā Raimonda Paula agrīno dziesmu koncertprogrammu “Brigadieris” iestudē tenors Nauris Puntulis, viņš to atskaņo koncertos arī tad, kad ieņem Latvijas kultūras ministra amatu.

2019. gada rudenī albumā “Viņš un viņa” ieskaņotas jaunas Raimonda Paula dziesmas ar dzejnieku Jāņa Petera, Leona Brieža un Guntara Rača vārdiem, kuras radītas īpaši dziedātājai Dinārai Rudānei. Šī programma, caurvīta ar gaišu, romantisku, sentimentālu un arī enerģisku dziesmu izpildījumu, izskan plašā koncertturnejā. Albums 2020. gada Latvijas mūzikas ierakstu Gada balvā “Zelta mikrofons” iekļūst labāko piecniekā nominācijā “Labākais starpžanru albums”.

1. novembrī mūzikas nama “Daile” skatītāji pirmie novērtē jaunāko Raimonda Paula un Ances Krauzes koncertprogrammu “Sasala jūrīna”. Tajā skan gan dziesmas no abu sadarbības pirmsākumiem, gan jaunas tautasdziesmu apdares.

2019. gada nogalē izdots Mārtiņa Kantera albums “Piparmētru tēja” ar jaunām Raimonda Paula un Guntara Rača dziesmām, ierakstā piedalās maestro, Artūrs Jauntēvs, Uģis Tirzītis, Dināra Rudāne un citi. Albumam seko koncerti.

2020

Savā 84. dzimšanas dienā 12. janvārī maestro Dzintaru koncertzāles Mazajā zālē klausītājiem pasniedz dāvanu – koncertprogrammas “Dienvidu akvareļi” pirmatskaņojumu. Kopā ar Latvijas Radio bigbendu tapušo programmu paspilgtina vokālisti Daumants Kalniņš un Ance Krauze, seko vairāki koncerti, kas tiek pārcelti un atcelti kovida pandēmijas dēļ.

2020. gada vasarā 16 jaunas Raimonda Paula dziesmas aktiera Gunta Skrastiņa priekšnesumā ar nesen tapušiem Jāņa Petera dzejoļiem izdotas albumā “Nopietni pa jociņam”, kam seko apjomīga koncertturneja.

2020. gada jūnijā klajā nāk Raimonda Paula un Ances Krauzes suitu dziesmu albums “Sasala jūrīna”.

Septembrī pie klausītājiem dodas jauna Raimonda Paula un Jāņa Petera roķīgā dziesma “Veltījums dzejniekiem” Buka (Jāņa Buķeļa) priekšnesumā, kas tapusi pateicībā tiem, kuri cauri laiku laikiem palīdzējuši uzturēt latvisku garu un spēcinājuši mūs grūtos brīžos. Dziesmas aranžētājs un studijas producents Gints Stankevičs talkā aicinājis Ivo Fomina grupas ģitāristu Robertu Dinteru, kurš iespēlējis ģitāras partijas.

24. oktobrī Latgales vēstniecības GORS 5. Starptautiskā ērģeļmūzikas festivālā “ORGANismi” Raimonds Pauls muzicē kopā ar Hamburgas Elbas filharmonijas goda ērģelnieci Ivetu Apkalnu, koncerts izvirzīts Latvijas Lielajai mūzikas balvai nominācijā “Gada koncerts”. Programmā: miniatūras no cikla “Naktstauriņi”, mūzika no teātra izrādēm un kinofilmas “Homo novus”, kā arī gruzīnu skaņraža Gijas Kančeli kinomelodiju svīta un citi.

2020. gada septembrī MicRec pārizdod divās skaņuplatēs Raimonda Paula pirmo dziesmu programmas, kuras ieskaņotas laikposmā no 1965. līdz 1969. gadam. Izdevumā lasāmi dziesmu teksti un Oresta Silabrieža stāstījums, komplektā iekļauts visu dziesmu izdevums CD formātā.

2020. gada novembrī Japānas valdība paziņo ārvalstnieku sarakstu, kuriem nolemts piešķirt Japānas valsts apbalvojumus. To vidū ir arī komponists Raimonds Pauls, kuram par ieguldījumu Japānas un Latvijas kultūras sakaru stiprināšanā ar mūzikas starpniecību, kā arī sapratnes veicināšanu abu valstu vidū piešķirts Uzlecošās Saules ordenis un Zelta stari ar kakla lenti.

25. augustā mūzikas namā “Daile” muzikālās fantāzijas “Suni ārā nedzenama nakts” pirmizrāde – par un ar Ojāru Vācieti Andra Keiša tēlā un Raimonda Paula mūzikā. Programma izdota arī CD ierakstā.

Atzīmējot Latvijas Radio 95. gadadienu, Radioteātrī satīriskos Valda Artava dzejas lasījumos satiekas ilggadējākā radio balss Gunārs Jākobsons un maestro Raimonds Pauls.

2020. gada nogalē grupu “Sērkociņu cehs” un “Credo” mūziķi un draugi ieskaņo skaņuplati ar Raimonda Paula mūziku “Atceries gan”. Tajā iekļautas piecas kopā ar Raimondu Paulu ieskaņotas dziesmas no “Credo” repertuāra ar Ievu Dreimani, Zani Butauti un Jāni Šteinbergu. Platē izdoti arī fragmenti no maestro 75. jubilejas koncerta “Pilsēta vētru un dzintara krastā” un skaņdarbs “Spēļu nakts Duntes krogā”, ko “Credo” atskaņoja Raimonda Paula 45. jubilejas koncertā (1981).

Decembrī Dailes teātra simtgadē izdotajā albumā “Dailes pieskāriens” apkopotas Raimonda Paula 15 Dailes teātra izrādēm (“Īsa pamācība mīlēšanā”, “Brands”, “Šerloks Holmss”, “Meža gulbji” u. c.) komponētas melodijas autora īpaši radītās klavierversijās. Albums izdots vinila plates un CD formātā.

Decembrī klajā nāk Raimonda Paula trio (Raimonds Pauls, Toivo Unts, Māris Briežkalns) džeza skaņuplate “Pastaiga pa Rīgu” ar 13 jauniem maestro instrumentālajiem skaņdarbiem “Vecpilsēta”, “Bastejkalns”, “Rīgas Doms”, “Vērmanītis” un citiem. Notiek vairāki koncerti ar šo programmu, kas 2021. gada aprīlī izdota arī kompaktdiskā.

2020. gada izskaņā Dzegužkalnā apskatāma audiovizualizācija “Kā sniegi kalnu galotnēs”, kuras pamatā Raimonda Paula un Zigfrīda Muktupāvela Ziemassvētku koncerta ieraksts mūzikas namā “Daile”.

Raimonda Paula dziesma “Dāvāja Māriņa” izmantota Disneja animācijas studijas Pixar filmā Soul, kuras pirmizrāde notiek 2020. gada Ziemassvētkos.

2021

Maestro 85. jubilejas gadu ieskandina ziņa, ka Grobiņā daļa Pils ielas pārsaukta par Paula ielu.

12. janvārī maestro Raimondam Paulam aprit 85 gadi. Svinot lielo notikumu, Latvijas Televīzijā tapusi dokumentāla filma “Mūžīgais dzinējs. Raimonds Pauls”, kuras pirmizrāde notiek 8. janvārī. Žurnāliste un scenārija autore Henrieta Verhoustinska un režisors un operators Andrejs Verhoustinskis 2020. gadā sekojuši maestro gaitām un tam, kā, neraugoties uz šķēršļiem, ko uzlikusi pandēmija, Raimonds Pauls neapstājas un saglabā savu radošumu un dzīvessparu. Filmēšanas grupa saskaitījusi, ka 2020. gadā maestro uzstājies 54 koncertos – vismaz vienā koncertā katru nedēļu, turpinot ne vien izpildīt zināmas melodijas, bet arī radīt jaunas.

12. janvārī Dzintaru koncertzālē maestro 85. jubileja tiks atzīmēta ar koncertu, kurā uzstājas Dināra Rudāne, Ance Krauze, Intars Busulis, Daumants Kalniņš, Aleksandrs Antoņenko, “Framest”, Latvijas Radio bigbends. Kovida pandēmijas ierobežojumu dēļ koncerts skatāms attālināti – TV kanālā “ReTV”.

20. janvārī Latvijas Radio studijā top jauns Raimonda Paula skaņu ieraksts “Jazz Suites: Reimagined”. Albumā dzirdamas maestro pagājušā gadsimta 60. gados sakomponētās džeza svītas, ko bigbendam aranžējis Kārlis Vanags un iespēlējis Latvijas Radio bigbends ar maestro pie klavierēm, piedalās arī vibrofonists Miķelis Dzenuška.

13. martā valsts augstākā apbalvojuma mūzikā ­– Lielās mūzikas balvas – pasniegšanas ceremonijā ar balvu “Par izcilu sniegumu gada garumā” godina pianistu un komponistu Raimondu Paulu, kurš saņem arī auditorijas simpātiju balvu.

Martā maestro kopā ar aktieri Gunti Skrastiņu par albumu “Nopietni pa jociņam”. Albums saņem Latvijas Mūzikas ierakstu gada balvu “Zelta mikrofons” kategorijā “Labākais šlāgermūzikas albums”.

Maijā džeza mūzikas izdevniecības Jersika Records paspārnē izdota Raimonda Paula trio skaņuplate “The Lost Latvian Radio Studio Sessions 1965/1966” jeb “pazudušie”, neizdotie Latvijas Radio studijas ieraksti (1965/1966). Platē iekļautas trīs Raimonda Paula džeza svītas: “Dienvidu akvareļi”, “Iespaidi” un “Kalnu skices”. Ierakstos muzicē pianists Raimonds Pauls, kontrabasists Aivars Timšs, bundzinieki Haralds Brando un Gunārs Gailītis, svītā “Dienvidu akvareļi” džeza saksofonists Aleksandrs Piščikovs.

2021. gada 23. jūnijā Raimonda Paula jaunajā programmā “Vasaras noskaņās” pirmatskaņojumu piedzīvo deviņas jaunas dziesmas ar dzejnieka Jāņa Petera vārdiem. Latvijas Radio 1. studijā tās izpilda maestro un aktieru ansamblis “Drama”: Dita Lūriņa, Karīna Tatarinova, Mārtiņš Egliens un Mārcis Maņjakovs. Koncertā piedalās arī Žoržs Siksna, viņš izpilda iemīļotas Raimonda Paula melodijas.

Par vienu no centrālajiem notikumiem savā dzīvē maestro nosauc koncertus “Ja tevis nebūtu” ar pasaulslaveno mecosoprānu Elīnu Garanču, kas notiek 23. un 24. jūlijā Latvijas Nacionālajā teātrī par godu maestro 85 gadu jubilejai. Raimonds Pauls dziedātājai veltījis divus dziesmu ciklus – ar Vizmas Belševicas un Ojāra Vācieša dzeju. Koncerta otrajā daļā iekļautas dziesmas no kinofilmām un teātra izrādēm ar Raimonda Paula mūziku, piedalās kamerorķestris “Sinfonietta Rīga” un instrumentālā grupa Raimonda Macata vadībā.

2021. gada septembrī igauņu dziedātājas Sofijas Rubinas priekšnesumā izdots Raimonda Paula balādes “Life in Black and White” koncertsingls. Dziesma radīta uz kompozīcijas “Vecais kino” pamata ar Gordona Pogodas vārdiem angļu valodā. Šī un citas dziesmas Sofija Rubina dzied koncertā 16. septembrī VEF kultūras pilī Rīgā, īpašā maestro 85. jubilejai veltītā mīlas dziesmu programmā, kurā piedalās arī aktrise Veronika Plotņikova, dziedātāja Dināra Rudāne, kamerorķestris “Kremerata Lettonica” un “VCP” pūtēju grupa.

2021. gada nogales koncertos kopā ar Raimondu Paulu uzstājas iepriekš nezināma jauna dziedātāja Paula Saija. Viņa piedalās arī programmā “Mierinājums”, kurā pirmatskaņojumu piedzīvo astoņas īpaši šiem Ziemassvētkiem radītas maestro dziesmas ar dzejnieka Jāņa Petera vārdiem. Koncertos tās izpilda maestro, Paula Saija, aktieris Gundars Grasbergs un vokālā grupa “Insomnia”.

2021. gadu Raimonds Pauls noslēdz kopā ar daudziem populāriem Latvijas dziedātājiem un Latvijas Radio bigbendu krāšņā koncertā, atceroties jaunības dienas ar Amerikas džeza “zelta laikmeta” melodijām un fragmentiem no albuma “Pastaiga pa Rīgu”, kā arī skanot populārām melodijām Dināras Rudānes, Kristīnes Prauliņas un citu sniegumā.

2022

2022. gadu sagaidīt kopā ar maestro mūziku Vecgada šovā “Uz deju lūdz Raimonds Pauls” ir iespēja ikvienam LTV1 skatītājam. Tajā piedalās maestro, Intars Busulis, Andris Keišs, Artūrs Skrastiņš, Žoržs Siksna, Daumants Kalniņš, Ojārs Rubenis, Andrejs Ērglis un citi.

2022. gada aprīlī Latvijas Radio 1. studijā viesojās Ukrainas Prezidenta kamerorķestris “Kijivas solisti”, lai kopā ar Raimondu Paulu un Latvijas Radio bigbendu ierakstītu skaņdarbu “Vecais kino”.

2022. gadā publikai daudzviet Latvijā skan jauna koncertprogramma – “Pauls un Paula”, kurā iekļautas jaunas dziesmas ar Jāņa Petera un Guntara Rača vārdiem, arī maestro hiti dziedātājas Paulas Saijas priekšnesumā.

Maijā klajā nāk jauns dziedātāja Mārtiņa Kantera dziesmu albums “Glezna”, kurā iekļautas jaunas, sadarbībā ar Maestro Raimondu Paulu tapušas dziesmas. Albuma tituldziesmas ierakstā piedalījies Saulkrastu koris “Anima”.

2022. gada Līgo dienā Latvijas Radio 1 pirmoreiz izskan Raimonda Paula un dzejnieka Ernesta Dinsberga jaunā programma “Ziņģe par Rīgu”. Kopā ar komponistu pie klavierēm ierakstā piedalās mūziķi Mārcis Auziņš, Andris Grunte, Arvīds Platpers un citi, dziedātāja Elza Rozentāle un aktieris Gundars Āboliņš, kas, balstoties iepriekš ar aktieri Edgaru Liepiņu veidotajās maestro programmās, radījis jaunu kompozīciju, dramatizējot Ernesta Dinsberga literāros darbus.

6. augustā Liepājas atdzimušajā koncertdārzā “Pūt, vējiņi!” notiek Raimonda Paula mūzikas svētki, kuros kopā ar maestro uzstājas solisti – Daumants Kalniņš, Elza Rozentāle un Aivars Hermanis, Latvijas Radio bigbends, “Sinfonietta Rīga” stīgu grupa, skanot populārām dziesmām un melodijām jaunos aranžējumos.

2. decembrī Dzintaros notiek koncerts “Raimonds Pauls un draugi”, kurā piedalās dziedātāji Daumants Kalniņš un Elza Rozentāle, muzicē Latvijas Radio bigbends. Programmā: fragmenti no mūzikliem “Leģenda par zaļo Jumpravu” un “Māsa Kerija”, dziesmas, populāras kinomelodijas.

Decembrī pirmatskaņota jauna Raimonda Paula dziesma ar Aspazijas dzeju “Ziemsvētki” Paulas Saijas izpildījumā. Pirmoreiz maestro muzicē Mazajā Mežotnes pilī, kur uzstājas ar dziedātāju Sofiju Rubinu un instrumentālo trio.

Noslēdzot gada koncertsezonu, 19. un 20. decembrī K. K. fon Stricka villā notiek koncerti “Diskopauls” 80. gadu televīzijas mūzikas raidījumu estētikā, godinot Raimonda Paula devumu estrādes mūzikā. Maestro dziesmu aranžijas veido un koncertos uzstājas Elza Rozentāle, Miķelis Putniņš, Toms Mikāls, Kristians Priekulis, Rūdolfs Dankfelds, īpašais viesis – Žoržs Siksna.

2022. gada 18. decembrī mūzikas namā “Daile” tiek pirmatskaņota jauna koncertprogramma “Ance Krauze un Raimonds Pauls. Ziemassvētki Dailes namā”. Tajā līdzās populārām dziesmām pirmoreiz skan maestro apdarinātas suitu Ziemassvētku tautasdziesmas, kuras kopā ar meitām Elzu, Kati un Billi izpilda Ance Krauze.

2023

Par godu Raimonda Paula 87. dzimšanas dienai Latvijas Radio Radioteātris sagatavo muzikāli literāru koncertuzvedumu “Bet saules pulkstens iet…” Tajā iekļautas 11 jaunas dziesmas ar nepublicētiem Jāņa Petera dzejoļiem, kuras izpilda Intars Busulis un Paula Saija, teicēja lomā – Rihards Lepers. Kopā ar Raimondu Paulu muzicē Aivars Hermanis, Māris Briežkalns un Jānis Rubiks.

Maestro dzimšanas dienā pie klausītājiem dodas kārtējais jaundarbs – dziedātāja Kaspara Markševica izpildīta dziesma “Laipni lūgti”, kuras autori ir Raimonds Pauls un Guntars Račs, mutes harmoniku solo ierakstā izpilda Gunārs Jākobsons.

Jubileju komponists atzīmē ar koncertu Dzintaros, kurā piedalās Dināra Rudāne, Elza Rozentāle, Andris Keišs un Latvijas Radio bigbends.

Daugavpils Universitātes profesors entomologs Arvīds Barševskis komponista Raimonda Paula vārdā nosaucis Filipīnās jaunatklātu vaboļu sugu Acronia paulsi Barševskis, 2022, tādējādi sveicot maestro dzimšanas dienā.

2023. gadā izziņoti jauni koncertprogrammas “Atkal no jauna” koncerti, kuros piedalās maestro, soliste Paula Saija un mūziķi Raimonds Macats, Edvīns Ozols un Artis Orubs.

Atzīmējot Starptautisko teātra dienu, 2023. gada 27.martā plkst.16.00 un 19.00 Latvijas Radio 1. studijā notiks koncertuzvedums “Sveiks, Marģeri!”, kas ir Maestro Raimonda Paula veltījums komponistam, kultūras darbiniekam un vienai no 20.gadsimta spilgtākajām Latvijas kultūras personībām – Marģerim Zariņam.

Koncertuzveduma “Sveiks, Marģeri!” saturu veido ne vien Marģera Zariņa melodijas Raimonda Paula apdarē, bet arī fragmenti no M. Zariņa stāsta “Didrika Taizeļa brīnišķīgie piedzīvojumi”. Šķiet, tieši Taizeļa tēlā autors iekodējis daļu no sevis – asprātīga un vitāla bohēmista tēlu.

Koncertuzvedumā piedalās aktieri – Dace Bonāte, Juris Bartkevičs, Raimonds Celms un Ieva Aniņa.

Mūziķi – Maestro Raimonds Pauls – klavieres, Gidons Grīnbergs – vijole, Valdis Zilvers – akordeons, Andris Grunte – bass, Māris Briežkalns – bungas.

Koncertuzveduma režisors – Edmunds Freibergs.

Jauniešu koris “Balsis” ieskaņojis jaunu Raimonda Paula albumu.

Albumā ieskaņots mazāk zināmais Raimonda Paula “a cappella” kordziesmu cikls “Dziesmas par Latvijas upēm” ar Ineses Zanderes dzeju, un kā īpašs papildinājums līdzās mūzikai albuma pēdējā celiņā “Upju lirika” skan paša maestro klavierspēle un dzeja autores lasījumā.

Raimonda Paula un Ineses Zanderes kordziesmu cikls “Dziesmas par Latvijas upēm” jauniešu kora “Balsis” izpildījumā skanējis koncertos jau agrāk, taču albumā mūzika ieskaņota pirmoreiz.

Un tā Raimonds Pauls joprojām turpina pārsteigt ar jauniem skaņdarbiem, spilgtiem talantiem un daudzveidīgām koncertprogrammām, kuras pulcē skatītāju pilnas zāles.