Nikita Bogoslovsky

Nikita Vladimirovich Bogoslovsky (Ники́та Влади́мирович Богосло́вский; 22 May 1913, Saint Petersburg – 4 April 2004, Moscow) was a Soviet and Russian composer.

At the age of 4 in 1917, the new communist government born from the Russian revolution confiscated his families lands and properties in the Russian provinces of Novgorod and Tambov.

His earliest musical inspiration was his mothers playing of songs by Alexander Vertinskiy.

He began receiving Piano lessons at 3, and studied composition with Alexander Glazunov in 1927–1928 and as an audit at Leningrad Conservatory in 1930–1934.

His first musical was written at age 15, titled, "Noch pered Rozhdestvom" (Christmas Eve night).

Bogoslovsky's songs represented the hopes and dreams of the Soviet/Russian people, and often were written about the history of Russia.

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.

He is best known for two Mark Bernes's 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).