Vasily Agapkin

Who was Vasily Agapkin?

Vasily Ivanovich Agapkin was a Soviet military orchestra conductor, composer, and author of the well-known march "Farewell of Slavianka".

Agapkin was born in Ryazan Governorate in 1884. From 1912 to 1915, he studied at the Tambov musical school and later served in the army. After the revolution of 1917, Agapkin became a functionary of the NKVD. He was the leader of the NKVD's orchestra.

Agapkin led the combined military orchestra during the famous Red Square Parade in Moscow on 7 November 1941. "Farewell of Slavianka" was one of the four marches that were played in that Parade. He also led the orchestra during the 1945 parade.

His music has appeared in many films including 72 Meters.