Iosif Zhinovich

(pseudonym of I. I. Zhidovich). Born May 1 (14), 1907, in the village of Oreshkovichi, present-day Borisov Raion, Minsk Oblast. Soviet conductor and composer. People’s Artist of the USSR (1968).

In 1930, Zhinovich graduated from the Byelorussian University, and in 1941, from the Byelorussian Conservatory. From 1922 to 1930 he was a solo cimbalom player at the First Byelorussian Dramatic Theater (now the la. Kupala Theater in Minsk). From 1930 to 1935 he was director of the First Ensemble of Byelorussian Folk Instruments. From 1938 to 1941 he was a soloist, chief concertmaster, and a teacher, and since 1946 he has been art director and chief conductor of the State Folk Orchestra of the Byelorussian SSR. Since 1944 he has taught in the Byelorussian Conservatory (professor since 1963). He has composed works for folk instruments orchestra, reworked Byelorussian folk songs, and arranged the pieces of other composers. Zhinovich is a winner of the All-Union Competition of Players of Folk Instruments (1939). He received the State Prize of the Byelorussian SSR (1968). He was awarded three orders and various medals.