Chaikin Nikolai Chaikin

Nikolai Yakovlevich Chaikin (or Tchaikin, Tschaikin; Russian: Николай Яковлевич Чайкин; 1915-2000) was a composer, bayan player, teacher and Honored Artist of RSFSR (1980).

Nikolai Chaikin was one of the most famous accordion composers of the former USSR. Among his most well known works are two Concertos for Accordion and Symphony Orchestra, two Sonatas for Accordion and Symphony Orchestra and many other compositions which have become a part of the popular repertoire of accordionists throughout the world.

Apart from his composing work, Nikolai Chaikin was also well known as an accordion teacher. He was the Professor at the Gorky Conservatory and the Gnessins' Musical Institute in Moscow. Nikolai Chaikin was one of the first composers in Russia and Europe who introduced the accordion to the musical world as a professional concert instrument.