Andrei Eshpai

Andrei Yakovlevich Eshpai (Russian: Андре́й Я́ковлевич Эшпа́й; 15 May 1925 — 8 November 2015) was an ethnic Mari (Russian and Soviet) composer.

Eshpai was born at Kozmodemyansk, Mari El. A Red Army World War II veteran, he studied piano at Moscow Conservatory from 1948 to 1953 under Vladimir Sofronitsky, and composition under Nikolai Rakov, Nikolai Myaskovsky and Evgeny Golubev. He performed his postgraduate study under Aram Khachaturian from 1953 to 1956.

He was the son of the composer Yakov Andreyevich Eshpai, and the father of the filmmaker Andrei Andreyevich Eshpai.

On 8 November, 2015, Andrei died in Moscow from a stroke at the age of 90.

Principal works

• "Nobody is happier than me", operetta to the libretto by V. Konstantinov and B. Ratser. (1968–1969)
• "Love is Forbidden", musical (1973)
• "Angara", ballet (1974–1975)
• "A Circle", ballet (1979–1980)
• Nine symphonies
• Two piano concertos
• Four violin concertos (no. 4 from 1993)
• Viola concerto (1987)
• Cello concerto
• Flute concerto (1992)
• Oboe concerto
• Concerto for Double bass (1994–5)
• Symphonic dances
• "Concerto Grosso", Concerto for Orchestra with Solo Trumpet, Piano, Vibraphone and Double Bass (1966–7)
• Three violin sonatas
• Piano compositions
• Songs