Nikita Bogoslovsky

Nikita Vladimirovich Bogoslovsky (Russian: Никита Владимирович Богословский; 22 May 1913 – 4 April 2004) was a Soviet and Russian composer. Author of more than 300 songs, 8 symphonies (1940–1991), 17 operettas and musical comedies, 58 soundtracks, and 52 scores for theater productions. Many of his songs were made for film.

Bogoslovsky was born into an aristocratic family in St. Petersburg, Russian Empire. At the age of four in 1917, the new communist government born from the Russian revolution confiscated his family's lands and properties in the Russian provinces of Novgorod and Tambov. His mother's playing of songs by Alexander Vertinsky were among his first musical inspirations; thus, he was taught piano from the age of three, studying composing with Alexander Glazunov in 1927–1928 as an audit at the Leningrad Conservatory in 1930–1934.

His first musical was written at the age of 15, titled, "Noch pered Rozhdestvom" (Christmas Eve night); his first works expressed the hopes and desires of the Soviet people, telling the history of Russia. He is best known for two Mark Bernes' trademark songs from the war film Two Soldiers (1943): "Tyomnaya noch" (Dark Is the Night) and "Shalandy polnye kefali" (Boats Full of Mullets). In the post-Stalin period, Bogoslovsky was particularly successful with music for comedies. His output ranged from pop to folklore and neoclassical symphonic tunes.

Among his many honorary titles and state awards were People's Artist of the USSR (1983), Order of the Red Banner of Labour (1971), and Order of the Red Star (1946). He died 4 April 2004 in Moscow.

Read more about this composer on Wikipedia.