Composer
Biography
Soviet and later Russian composer (1925-2017) trained as a violinist at the Moscow Conservatory. He became one of the Soviet Union's most prolific writers of children's music, scoring animated films such as Cheburashka and Gena the Crocodile as well as popular songs including "Smile." His output also included pieces in Yiddish later adopted by klezmer ensembles. He received the USSR State Prize and the title People's Artist of the RSFSR.