Ottniel Jürissaar

Ottniell Jürissaar (27 March 1924 – 7 September 2014) was an Estonian poet, composer, and conductor.

Early life and education Ottniell Jürissaar was born in Tartu. His father, Johannes Jürissaar, was an inventor and small-scale industrialist. His mother Silvi (née Juhainen) was Finnish.

He attended primary school in Elva, graduating in 1938. In 1943, he graduated from Hugo Treffner Gymnasium. He briefly studied singing at the Tallinn Conservatory under instruction of Ott Raukas and was a candidate for the composition class of Heino Eller before World War II interrupted his studies.

Personal life and death Ottniell Jürissaar was a member of the Estonian Reform Party from 2013 until his death in 2014. He was buried at Tallinn's Forest Cemetery.

Awards Order of the White Star, Medal Class (2000)

Books Alleaa-Kallermaa, published 1990, Illustrated by Asta Vender Kaduviku sillal: kirjutatud metsas, vanglas, laagris (On the Bridge of Disappearance: Written in the Forest, Prison, and Camp), published 1990, compiled and edited by Urve Hermann, designed by A. Ilo Kevadetüdrukud (Spring Girls), published 1993, design and illustrations by Aarne Mesikäpp Rännulugusid ja vemmalvärsse (Travel Stories and Doggerel Verses), published 1991, designed by Aarne Mesikäpp Sada sonetti (One Hundred Sonnets), published 1992, designs and illustrations by Aarne Mesikäpp Suupillilugu (A Harmonica Story), published 2000, illustrations by Heli Kase

Selected sheet music Laule trellide ja okastraadi tagant (Songs Behind Bars and Barbed Wire), 1989 Metsavennalaulud (Forest Brotherhood Songs), 1990 Noorusmälestusi Soomest: 20 akordionipala (Youth Memories of Finland: 20 Accordion Pieces), 1991