Ivan Dzerzhinskii

Born Mar. 27 (Apr. 9), 1909, in Tambov. Soviet composer. Honored Art Worker of the RSFSR (1957). Member of the CPSU from 1942.

Dzerzhinskii studied at the Leningrad Conservatory under P. B. Riazanov and B. V. Asaf ev. He composed ten operas, most of which are based on the works of Soviet writers—for example, M. A. Sholokhov’s The Quiet Don (1935, Leningrad Malyi Opera Theater) and Virgin Soil Upturned (1937, Bolshoi Theater), P. P. Vershigora’s The Prince-lake (1947, S. M. Kirov Theater of Opera and Ballet, Leningrad), and V. N. Azhaev’s Far From Moscow (1954, Leningrad Malyi Opera Theater). Dzerzhinskii’s most popular opera, The Quiet Don, is characterized by the theme of public revolutionary outcry and the creative use of Russian folklore and popular Soviet songs. Dzerzhinskii is the author of art songs, most of which are marked by distinctive melody, sincerity, and a simplicity and clarity of intonational harmony. His program music includes the song cycles Northern Songs (lyrics by A. Churkin, 1934), First Love (lyrics by A. Fat’-ianov, 1943), The Stray Bird (lyrics by V. Livshits, 1946), The New Village (lyrics by A. Churkin, 1948; State Prize of the USSR, 1950), Native Land (lyrics by A. Fat’ianov, 1949), and The Northern Accordion (lyrics by A. Prokofiev, 1955). Dzerzhinskii also wrote musical comedies, symphonic works (including three concerti for piano with orchestra), instrumental pieces, and scores for plays and films. He has been awarded the Order of Lenin and the Order of the Red Banner of Labor.