Vyacheslav Ovchinnikov
Encyclopedia
Vyacheslav Aleksandrovich Ovchinnikov (born 29 May 1936 in Voronezh
) is a Soviet and Russian composer. He has composed for various ensembles, including works for chamber, solo instruments and the symphony orchestra. He began composing at age 9 and entered the Moscow Conservatory
at 15. Later he studied with Tikhon Khrennikov
and Lev Ginzburg. He has composed symphonies and symphonic poems. Outside his native country he is best known as a composer of music for such films as War and Peace
, the 1968 film directed by Sergei Bondarchuk
, Ivan's Childhood and Andrei Rublev
for Andrei Tarkovsky
. He has composed for some 40 films in total. Tarkovsky is said to have been so impressed by Ovchinnikov that he stated “I cannot imagine a better composer for myself than Vyacheslav Ovchinnikov.”
Ovchinnikov also had a successful career as a touring conductor from the 1970s. He has recorded of Melodiya
, the Russian record company. He was also a professor at the University of Kansas
from 1990 to 1991.
In 1995 Ovchinnikov composed a commissioned work “Bouquet for the Queen,” ordered for the 60th birthday of Queen Sirikit
of Thailand
, . For his composition, he was awarded an Order of the White Elephant
by the King of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej
.
Voronezh
Voronezh is a city in southwestern Russia, the administrative center of Voronezh Oblast. It is located on both sides of the Voronezh River, away from where it flows into the Don. It is an operating center of the Southeastern Railway , as well as the center of the Don Highway...
) is a Soviet and Russian composer. He has composed for various ensembles, including works for chamber, solo instruments and the symphony orchestra. He began composing at age 9 and entered the Moscow Conservatory
Moscow Conservatory
The Moscow Conservatory is a higher musical education institution in Moscow, and the second oldest conservatory in Russia after St. Petersburg Conservatory. Along with the St...
at 15. Later he studied with Tikhon Khrennikov
Tikhon Khrennikov
Tikhon Nikolayevich Khrennikov was a Russian and Soviet composer, pianist, leader of the Union of Soviet Composers, who was also known for his political activities...
and Lev Ginzburg. He has composed symphonies and symphonic poems. Outside his native country he is best known as a composer of music for such films as War and Peace
War and Peace
War and Peace is a novel by the Russian author Leo Tolstoy, first published in 1869. The work is epic in scale and is regarded as one of the most important works of world literature...
, the 1968 film directed by Sergei Bondarchuk
Sergei Bondarchuk
Sergei Fedorovich Bondarchuk was a Soviet film director, screenwriter, and actor.- Biography :Born in Belozerka, in the Kherson Governorate, Sergei Bondarchuk spent his childhood in the cities of Yeysk and Taganrog, graduating from the Taganrog School Number 4 in 1938. His first performance as an...
, Ivan's Childhood and Andrei Rublev
Andrei Rublev (film)
Andrei Rublev , also known as The Passion According to Andrei, is a 1966 Russian film directed by Andrei Tarkovsky from a screenplay written by Andrei Konchalovsky and Andrei Tarkovsky. The film is loosely based on the life of Andrei Rublev, the great 15th century Russian icon painter...
for Andrei Tarkovsky
Andrei Tarkovsky
Andrei Arsenyevich Tarkovsky was a Soviet and Russian filmmaker, writer, film editor, film theorist, theatre and opera director, widely regarded as one of the finest filmmakers of the 20th century....
. He has composed for some 40 films in total. Tarkovsky is said to have been so impressed by Ovchinnikov that he stated “I cannot imagine a better composer for myself than Vyacheslav Ovchinnikov.”
Ovchinnikov also had a successful career as a touring conductor from the 1970s. He has recorded of Melodiya
Melodiya
Melodiya is a Russian record label. It was the state-owned major record company/label of the Soviet Union.-History:It was established in 1964 as the "All-Union Gramophone Record Firm of the USSR Ministry of Culture Melodiya"...
, the Russian record company. He was also a professor at the University of Kansas
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
from 1990 to 1991.
In 1995 Ovchinnikov composed a commissioned work “Bouquet for the Queen,” ordered for the 60th birthday of Queen Sirikit
Sirikit
Somdet Phra Nang Chao Sirikit Phra Borommarachininat , is the queen consort of Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand. She is the second Queen Regent of Thailand...
of Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, . For his composition, he was awarded an Order of the White Elephant
Order of the White Elephant
The Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant is the most awarded order of Thailand. It was established in 1861 by King Rama IV of the Kingdom of Siam.The Order consists of eight classes:...
by the King of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej
Bhumibol Adulyadej
Bhumibol Adulyadej is the current King of Thailand. He is known as Rama IX...
.