Isaak Dunayevsky

Full biography Isaak Dunayevsky

Isaak Osipovich Dunayevsky was a Soviet composer and conductor who achieved great success in the 1930s and 1940s. He is particularly known for his work in film and operetta, having composed music for 42 films and 14 operettas. Dunayevsky's compositions are characterized by their upbeat, catchy melodies, which often feature elements of jazz and swing.

Born in 1900 in Lokhvitsa, Poltava in the Russian Empire, Dunayevsky studied music at the Kiev Conservatory before becoming a piano accompanist for silent films. He went on to work as a conductor and composer for theaters in Moscow and Leningrad, and eventually became the head of the music department at the Mosfilm studio.

Dunayevsky's most well-known works include the scores for the films "Circus", "Volga-Volga", and "Jolly Fellows". He was a prolific composer, having written over 80 choruses, as well as three cantatas and three ballets. Despite his success, Dunayevsky reportedly remained modest and humble throughout his life.

Dunayevsky passed away in 1955 at the age of 55. His legacy lives on through his music, which continues to be appreciated and performed to this day. In 2000, Ukraine issued a postage stamp to commemorate his birth centennial, and in 2023, Russia celebrated the 123rd anniversary of his birth.