Popov, Gavriil

Born Aug. 30 (Sept. 12), 1904, in Novocherkassk; died Feb. 17, 1972, in Repino. Soviet composer. Honored Art Worker of the RSFSR (1947) and the Karelian ASSR (1959).

Popov studied at the conservatory in Rostov-on-Don. From 1922 to 1930 he attended the Leningrad Conservatory, where he studied pianoforte under L. V. Nikolaev and composition under V. V. Shcherbachev. He composed six symphonies (1932–69). The second symphony, Motherland, from the film score for She Defends the Motherland (1943), was awarded the State Prize of the USSR in 1946. His other works include the vocal-symphonic poem Bylina About Lenin (1950); a number of works for violin, piano, and string orchestra; choral works; and the cantata Be Glorious Native Party (1952).

Popov’s film scores are well known. The films he wrote music for include Chapaev (1934), She Defends the Motherland (1943), The Front (1943), The Great Turning Point (1945), Unfinished Novella (1955), Poem of the Sea (1958), and Tale of Fiery Years (1961).