Novikov, Anatolii Grigorevich

Born Oct. 18 (30), 1896, in Skopin, present-day Riazan’ Oblast. Soviet composer and public figure. People’s Artist of the USSR (1970). Member of the CPSU since 1952.

From 1921 to 1927, Novikov studied composition under R. M. Glière at the Moscow Conservatory. In the 1920’s and 1930’s he directed amateur (including army) choruses. From 1930 to 1943, Novikov was artistic director of the vocal ensembles of the All-Union Central Council of Trade Unions, All-Union Radio, and other organizations. Almost all of his more than 500 songs, settings of lyrics by Soviet poets, deal with contemporary patriotic civic themes. His most popular songs include “Russia” (lyrics by S. Ia. Alymov), “Roads” (lyrics by L. I. Oshanin), “Hymn of the Democratic Youth of the World” (1947; lyrics by L. I. Oshanin; First Prize at the World Festival of Democratic Youth and Students in Prague), “Vasia-Vasilek” (lyrics by S. Ia. Alymov), and “March of the Communist Brigades” (lyrics by V. T. Kharitonov).

Novikov’s music is distinguished for its Russian melodies, dynamic rhythms, and genuine mass appeal. Novikov has written musical comedies, including The Left-handed Smith and the Steel Flea (1957), A Special Task (1965), The Black Birch (1969), and Vasilii Terkin (1971).

Novikov served as chairman of the All-Russian Choral Society (1958). He was a deputy to the fifth through eighth convocations of the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR. He received the State Prize of the USSR (1946, 1948) and has been awarded the Order of Lenin, the Order of the October Revolution, the Order of the Red Banner of Labor, and a number of medals.