Alexey Ekimyan facts for kids

Alexey Ekimyan (Armenian: Ալեքսեյ Հեքիմյան, Russian: Алексей Гургенович Экимян) was a famous Armenian composer. He wrote many popular songs. Ekimyan was also a high-ranking police officer, known as a General in the Soviet police force (called militsia). He even led the Criminal Investigation Department for the Moscow region.

It was very unusual for someone to be both a popular composer and a police general at the same time! Ekimyan received a special award. He was given the official title of "Renowned Master of the Arts" in the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic. This title recognized his great talent.

A bust of Alexey Ekimyan in Tsaghkadzor.

A Life of Music and Service

Early Life and Musical Start

Alexey Ekimyan was born in Baku in 1927. His journey into music began early. His very first song was for the Moscow International Festival in 1957. A famous composer, Vano Muradeli, was very impressed. He told Ekimyan, "I don't know if you would become a general, but you would become a composer!"

Famous Songs and Singers

Many well-known Soviet singers performed Ekimyan's songs. These included Lyudmila Zykina, Iosif Kobzon, Lusine Zakaryan, Muslim Magomayev, and Sofia Rotaru. Some of his most famous songs are "Listopad" and "Vsya jizn' vperedi".

Another famous composer, Aram Khachaturian, praised Ekimyan's music. He said, "The melodies of Ekimyan are amazingly beautiful, expressive, plastic and always natural." Many of Ekimyan's hit songs were chosen for the "Song of the Year" festivals. These were big music events held across the Soviet Union in the 1970s and 1980s.

Music in Film

A documentary film-concert called "Paths of My Memory" was made about Alexey Ekimyan in 1979. One of his popular songs, "Do not be sad," was used in the famous Soviet animated film series "Nu Pogodi".

Family and Legacy

Alexey Ekimyan passed away in Moscow in 1982 due to a heart attack. He is buried in Yerevan, Armenia.

He was married to Valentina Karpova. They had two sons, Rafael and Michael. Rafael followed in his father's footsteps in law enforcement. He became a Section Chief in the police department. Michael became a well-known composer for the Moscow Circus.

Honours and Awards

Alexey Ekimyan received several important awards for his service:

• Order of the Red Star
• Medal "For Military Merit"
• Medal "For the Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945"
• Jubilee Medal "In Commemoration of the 100th Anniversary since the Birth of Vladimir Il'ich Lenin"
• Medal "For Distinction in the Protection of Public Order"
• Jubilee Medal "50 Years of the Soviet Militia"
• Medal "For Impeccable Service" 1st, 2nd and 3rd classes

Discography

Here are some of Alexey Ekimyan's music releases:

• Artashes Avetyan sings: songs by Alexey Ekimyan, U.S.S.R.: Melodiya, 1978 (LP)
• Alexey Ekimyan. Beregite druzey..., Russia: Melodia, 2006 (CD)
• Alexey Ekimyan. Vot i vstretilis, Russia: Melodia, 2007 (CD)