In Memoriam: Sergei Petrovich Popov (1914-2012)

Sergei Petrovich Popov, (August 15, 1914-May 20, 2012,) born in Voronezh, was a Soviet and Russian trumpeter, soloist of the USSR State Symphony Orchestra and the State Symphony Orchestra of Soviet radio and television, performed with the Song and Dance Ensemble of the Soviet Army, and was a Distinguished Artist of the RSFSR (1962).

Popov's career spanned decades. From 1931-33, he studied at the Kiev Conservatory. From 1933-35, he was a soloist with CDKA the Model Wind Orchestra. From 1935-37, he played with the Symphony Orchestra under the direction of CDKA Leo Steinberg.  From 1937-41, he was ranked soloist with the USSR State Symphony Orchestra. From 1944-49, he performed in the Soviet Army's Song and Dance Ensemble. From 1949-75, Popov was the lead trumpeter of the State Symphony Orchestra of Soviet Radio and Central TV. In 1962, Popov received the title of Honored Artist of the RSFSR.

Conductor Gennady Rozhdestvensky named Popov as one of the prominent representatives of the Soviet school of performers on wind instruments. According to Rozhdestvensky, his "style of playing, boundless virtuosity, and gold unique sound left a lasting impression on every performance." Popov recorded one solo CD with concertos of S. Vasilenko, A. Pakhmutova, D. Shostakovich, and Alexander Scriabin's Poem of Ecstacy.

Sergei Popov's family includes his son Valery who is a bassoonist and professor and head of the woodwind department of the Moscow Conservatory.

Source: Vladislav Lavrik