Any minute of rest

Liza BEGUN

Dear readers, edition of the IBK finishes the series of articles about winners of the song competition «Premium-2006», carried out in Belarus in 2001-2006 within the framework of the International festival «Millennium-2000». This article is devoted to the winner of this competition to the remarkable Russian singer Lion Leshchenko. I from the bottom of the heart congratulate Lion Valerjanovich on this national recognition deserved really and I wish him health and happiness in private life! Lion Leshchenko was born on February, 1, 1942 in Moscow. Father, Leshchenko Valerjan Andreevich, was the regular officer, was at war near Moscow. He has been awarded for participation in Great Domestic war and the further military service many awards and medals. Mother, Leshchenko Klavdia Petrovna. The spouse, Leshchenko Irina Pavlovna 1954 of a birth, has ended the Budapest state university. Mother Leshchenko has died early when Lion year was hardly executed. To bring up the son to the father the grandmother and the grandfather, and since 1948 the second the spouse of the father Leshchenko Marina Mihajlovna, helped. A childhood of Lion left has passed in Sokolniki. Here he visited chorus of the House of pioneers, section of navigation, a circle of an art word and brass band. Further under the insisting of the chorus master has thrown all circles and the beginnings seriously to be engaged in singing, acted on a school stage with performance basically of popular songs of Utjosov. Lion Leshchenko begins the independent labor activity in 1959 right after leavings school by the worker of a stage at the State Academic Big theatre of the USSR. Then, before conscription in 1961, he worked as the mechanic - collector at a factory of exact measuring devices. Military service he passed in tank armies in structure of Group of the Soviet armies in Germany. On January, 27, 1962 command of a part, having learned about vocal abilities of private soldier Leshchenko, has directed him to folk song and dance company. So Leshchenko became the soloist of ensemble and even has received the offer to remain on extended service. Lion with pleasure undertook everything that to him suggested: sang in a quartet, executed solo numbers, conducted concerts and read verses. This year can be named the beginning of creative career Leshchenko safely. At leisure he prepared for examinations in theatrical institute. In September, 1964 Leshchenko, successfully passed examinations, became the student of GITIS. From same year his work in Moskontsert and trainee group of a theatre of light opera began. During summer vacations, as a rule, Leshchenko went on tour with concert brigades, visiting the most remote corners of the immense country. In 1969 Leshchenko became the full member of collective of the Moscow theatre of light opera. Here he played many roles, but Leshchenko as the actor, always aspired to the true big work. And he has received this opportunity on February, 13, 1970 when has successfully passed competition and became soloist-vocalist of Gosteleradio of the USSR. At Leshchenko the intensive creative activity began: obligatory performances on radio and share records of romances, national and Soviet songs, vocal compositions of foreign composers. In March, 1970 Leshchenko became the winner of IV All-Union competition of performers. His popularity has considerably increased. Few transfers, thematic programs or reviews on radio and TV, rare concerts in Pillared hall did without his participation. In 1972 Leshchenko has received a rank of the winner of competition "Gold Orpheus" in Bulgaria. The same year he has received the first premium on very prestigious at that time festival in Sopot for performance songs "For that guy". In 1973 the rank of the winner of the premium of a name of the Moscow and Lenin Komsomol has been appropriated to Lion Leshchenko. A new pulse of popularity to the singer V.Haritonov and D.Tuhmanov's song has brought "Day of the Victory", executed by him for the first time in one year of the 30-anniversary of the Victory. Songs at that time the singer counts performance of this one of the most basic achievements. With 1980 for 1989 Lion Leshchenko has continued the intensive concert activity as the soloist-vocalist of the State concert -tour association of RSFSR "Roskontsert". In 1980 he has been awarded with an award of Friendship of peoples. In 1983 for outstanding merits to Lion Leshchenko the rank of the National actor of RSFSR has been appropriated, and in 1989 he have awarded with an award "Sign on Honour". Many smash hits becoming already classics of a domestic platform, have been executed by Leshchenko. It is possible to list only some from them: "White birch " (V.Shainsky-L.Ovsjannikov), "Do not cry the little girl" (V.Shainsky - V.Haritonov), "On the ground lives love" (V.Dobrynin - L.Derbenyov), "I love you, the capital" (P.Aedonitsky - J.Vizbor), "Tatiana’s day" (J.Saulsky - N.Olev), "Beloveds" (S.Tulikov - M.Pljatskovsky), "Old maple" (A.Pahmutova - M.Matusovsky), "To us to not live the friend without the friend" (A.Pahmutova - N.Dobronravov), "Nightingale grove" (D.Tuhmanov - A.Poperechnyj), "Attraction of the Earth " (D.Tuhmanov - R.Rozhdestvensky), "Any minute of rest" (V.Dobrynin - L.Derbenev), "Native Earth " (V.Dobrynin - V.Haritonov), "Blizzard is white" (O.Ivanov - I.Shaferan), "Bitter honey" (O.Ivanov - V.Pavlinov), "Where you were" (V.Dobrynin - L.Derbenev), "Parental house" (V.Shainsky - M.Rjabinin), "Old swing" (V.Shainsky - J.Jantar), "Where is my native house" (M.Fradkin - A.Bobrov), "City flowers" (M.Dunaevsky - L.Derbenev), "Wedding horses" (D.Tuhmanov - A.Poperechnyj), "Grasses meadow" (I.Dorohov - L.Leshchenko), "Ancient Moscow" (A.Nikolky), "Ah as it is a pity" (A.Nikolsky), "You leave" (A.Nikolsky), "Sirs officers" (A.Nikolsky), "Aroma of love" (A.Ukupnik - E.Nebylova), "Were young and happy" (M.Minkov - L.Rubalskaja), "Tonechka" (A.Savchenko - V.Baranov), "Last meeting" (I.Krutoj - R.Kazakova), "Overdue love" (A.Ukupnik - B.Shifrin), "Last love" (O.Sorokin - A.Zhigarev), "Why you to me has not met" (N.Bogoslovsky - N.Dorizo) and many others. In 1990 he has created and has headed theatre of cabaret shows «Musical agency" to which in 1992 the status state has been appropriated. More than 10 years Lion Valerjanovich teaches in musical-pedagogical institute of Gnesinyh’s name (nowadays the Russian academy of Gnesinyh’s name). His many pupils became known performers: Marina Hlebnikova, Katja Lel, Olga Arefjeva and others. For years of creative activity by Lion Leshchenko it is let out over 10 plates, compact discs and albums. Among them: "Lion Leshchenko" (1977), "Attraction of the ground" (1980), "Lion Leshchenko and group the Spectrum" (1981), "In a circle of friends" (1983), "Something for soul" (1987), "White color of a bird cherry tree" (1993), "Best songs of Lion Leshchenko" (1994), "Any minute of rest" (1995), "Aroma of love" (1996), "Memoirs" (1996), "Dreamland" (1999), "Simple motive" (2001), and also over 10 minions. In performance of Lion Leshchenko tens songs are written down also on modular and author's recording discs. In 1999 on the area of Stars of the hall "Russia" the nominal star of Lion Leshchenko has been incorporated. In 2001 the book of Lion Leshchenko "Apologia of memory" in which the actor tells about the life and the contemporaries - outstanding people of art, sports and a policy has been issued. On February, 2002 Lion Leshchenko was awarded with an award "For merits before Fatherland» IV Degrees. Lion Leshchenko is fond of tennis, basketball, navigation, and he act not only as the fan, but also he actively goes in for sports. He lives and works in Moscow. That is the remarkable and unruly person, the magnificent singer Lion Leshchenko!

Up to new meetings in the Internet, dear readers of the IBK!

With love about Russia

Ianina SHELEST

To write about such remarkable Russian singer as Lyudmila Zykina is a great honor to me. And I shall try to justify the trust of edition of the IBK expressed under the attitude to me. Lyudmila Zykina was born in Moscow on June, 10, 1929 in family of workers. Father, Zykin George Petrovich, working a bakery. Mother, Zykina Ekaterina Vasiljevna, worked aid-woman in hospital. Prior to the beginning of Great Domestic war Lyudmila went to school young workers, and since 1942 worked as the turner on a machine-tool constructing factory. The thirteen-year girl she helped front, brought the feasible work in a common cause of protection of the Native land. One of the dearest titles till now remains for Zykina an honorary title «Deserved ordzonikidzovets», appropriated to her by collective of a factory in those years. After work at a factory Lyudmila Zykina all over again worked aid-woman in situated near Moscow military hospital, and then the seamstress in hospital of a name of Kashchenko. In 1947 creative destiny of Zykina as singers began. She has taken part in the All-Russia competition of young executors. After successful performance at competition she has accepted in the State Russian national chorus of Pjatnitsky’s name. Becoming of Zykina as professional singer and art worker has indissolubly been connected to Moscow. In what city she acted, is as though hospitable and warm her accepted, - cities are better and more native, than Moscow, at her never was. Will be in Moscow of the enterprises on which Lyudmila Georgievna would not act a little. Labor collectives of many Moscow enterprises have enlisted her in honorary members. Since those years the main theme of creativity of Zykina - Russia, Moscow, war. Her songs sounded in military units and garrisons in many remote corners of Russia. Creativity of Zykina is national in the most essence. It has received enthusiastic responses from such art workers, as V.Muradeli, R.Shchedrin, O.Feltsman, A.Pahmutova, T.Hrennikov. Leading composers created products especially for her voice. Lyudmila Zykina's concert programs are a history of Russian people. The repertoire of the singer is various also. In different years thematic concert programs have been created by Zykina: "To you, the woman", "To you, veterans", "Russian national songs", "Evening Russian songs and a romance", "Only you could, Russia" and a lot of other compositions. All life of Lyudmila Georgievna is closely connected to national musical art, and her performing activity has got wide popularity not only in the countries of the former USSR, but also all over the world. With art of the singer are familiar on all continents, she not time was in the majority of the states of the world. Popularity of Zykina abroad proves to be true numerous responses in press of such countries, as Germany, Japan, Korea, Austria, France, etc. Abroad to the Russian singer politicians (applauded also to Dzhavaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Urho Kekkonen, Nasser, de Gaulle, Luis Aragon, George Pompidou, Helmut Kohl and others), and outstanding representatives of world culture (Charlie Chaplin, Mire Mate, Charles Aznavur, Marseille Marso, Frank Sinatra, Salvatore Adamou, Jean Pol Belmondo, Fernandel, Luis de Fjunes, Mark Shagal, Rokuel Kent, Van Klibern, participants of groups "Beatles" и "Boney M"). Firm "Melody" has let out a plenty of disks, and in funds Gosteleradio is kept more than 200 songs, singing by Zykina. In 1982 Lyudmila Zykina became the winner of a prize «Gold disk», awarded by firm "Melody". «Gold disk» of Germany is handed her in 1969. In 1977 Lyudmila Georgievna has ended the State musical pedagogical institute of Gnesinyh’s name (nowadays the Russian academy of music of Gnesinyh’s name). The received education, performing art, long-term experience of creative activity on a stage and creative dialogue with outstanding art workers have revealed in the singer need to transfer the knowledge to young talents. Therefore Zykina alongside with concert activity was engaged also pedagogical-taught in the Moscow state institute of culture. Now Lyudmila Georgievna teaches in the Russian academy of music of Gnesinyh’s name, has an academic status of the professor. Under management by Zykina on the basis of the State academic Russian national ensemble "Russia" there pass pregraduation and concert-performing practice many young musicians, including students of faculties national, wind and shock instruments, choral and solo national singing of RAM of Gnesinyh’s name. Many of these young musicians and vocalists already now work on a professional stage. Activity of Zykina as teacher is characterized by high professionalism, insistence and the skill, many of her pupils became winners of the international and Russian competitions, honored artists and teachers. She is the constant judge of festivals and competitions of various levels, as in the country, and abroad. Alongside with intensive concert and pedagogical activity Lyudmila Zykina responds to any public affairs. She was a member of board of the Soviet fund of the world (nowadays the Russian fund of the world) where her work on strengthening the world and friendship between peoples not time was marked by thanks and Certificates of honour. Being a member of the Moscow children's fund, Lyudmila Georgievna in the most active image participated in destinies of pupils of children's homes. Now Lyudmila Zykina is a member of presidium of the Russian fund of culture, a member of the Commission at the President of the Russian Federation under the State premiums in the field of the literature and art, a member of Council on culture and art at the President of the Russian Federation. She was repeatedly selected the People's Deputy on the Moscow constituency № 1. Creative, pedagogical, Lyudmila Georgievna's public work is adequately appreciated by the Russian and international public. For years of creative and public work Zykina have been appropriated by ranks: the national actress of the USSR (1973), the national actress of the Azerbaijan SSR (1972), the national actress of the Uzbek SSR (1980), the national actress of the Udmurt ASSR (1974), the deserved actress of the RSFSR (1968), the deserved actress of the Buryat ASSR. She is a Hero of Socialist work (1987), the winner of the Lenin premium (1970), the State premium of RSFSR of Glinka’s name in the field of musical art (1983), the winner of All-Union competition of performers (1960), the gentleman of awards of Sacred Andrey Pervozvannyj (2004), Lenin’s (1979), «For merits before Fatherland» II degrees, «Sign on Honour», the French award «For cultural education of youth». Zykina is awarded with the Honorable medal of board of Fund of the world, medals «50 years of the Victory over Great Domestic war of 1941-1945» and «Veteran of work».

Lyudmila Zykina - the author of several publications in which experience of performing and pedagogical work is reflected. She writes two books: "Song" in which numerous problems of performance of Russian and Soviet songs, and «On crossroads of meetings» - about numerous meetings on a creative way, both with young musicians are covered, and with outstanding art workers and arts. The free time Lyudmila Georgievna gives hobbies - to reading of books, embroidery, fishing, cookery (favorite dishes - pel'menis and pilau). Well drives the machine, loves animals, it is especial dogs.

As I know, Lyudmila Georgievna considers that love and gratitude of the spectator, to which she has devoted all creativity, is the dearest award than the other awards. And not without reason by results of the sociological interrogations which have been carried out in Belarus in 2001-2006 within the framework of the International festival «Millennium-2000», Lyudmila Zykina became the winner of competition «Premium - 2006» and has come in ten the best executors of Russian-speaking variety songs of a left millennium.

Prophetic dream of Vitja Bedlam

Katerina VOLK

Vitja has arrived to number very much late. He would not like anything there is at all though the dinner was weaker and a breakfast too. Almost all the day they hooted in studio, even coffee could not have a drink in the evening. - And all this is Koljan with the ideas, he has got completely, - has thought Vitja. - That it to not like him, to it is not pleasant. He is fool, and from itself he plays the genius. He has thought up no one knows what. And Ann Rudnitskaja all assents to him: she does not know, in what all this will be poured out. It is good to her behind a back of the former husband - he all the same always will help her. And after a failure everyone will kick me: what for has supposedly gone, what for? Yes, and, really, that the second time to go? Though first time the any idea was be. And now is? It is one conglomerate. - Vitja could not calm down in any way. Any ideas and climbed in a head, not giving him seconds of rest. Vitja it wanted to drink. And he has glanced in a minibar, there, among set of the vials he has seen mineral water. He has got one vial. He has opened it and it is direct from a neck at once all has drunk. But thirst has not passed.

- It is necessary to calm down, - he has thought and villages of an armchair. - Than I risk? Anything - money all the same are not mine. Million green there, a million here! What is difference! - At ideas on money Vitja at once wanted to take something of more strong. It is good, that the bar was filled by kinds of things. Vitja has risen, has approached to a bar and started to search, what to him to drink. Under a hand somehow the Polish vodka at once has got. - It is Interesting, - has thought Vitja, - I well know Russian vodka and it that for rubbish? - Vitja has opened vial and has poured contents in a glass which stood on a table. From have a snack in a bar there were only nutlets and chocolate. Vitja, having taken a bag with nutlets, has approached to a table, has taken a glass and a volley has drunk vodka. The sensation was not from pleasant. - Likely for a long time stood … and for some reason warm? - Vitja has thought about vodka and again villages in an armchair, having thrust in a mouth a pair of nutlets from a bag. Ideas, apparently, only also waited for it and the whole plenty have again rushed in attack. In a head at Vitja as at cinema, events of last day began to be scrolled. Project of Koljan has simply surprised him with the stupidity. - He has decided to collect in a single whole completely incompatible, - Vitja has thought. - Well, still somehow it is possible to attach a violin. And skating? It is simply delirium. Ann, likely, simply wants to add John. What for it to him? If I was the champion of would I sit to itself easy and did not try at all. Most likely, Plashchenko wants to act again and has decided to remind of itself preliminary. But how he will make it on a stage? I can not present myself all this. Though, the number with a grand piano and ballerinas too was not simple number. - Vitja has felt, that the body began to be filled gradually with a heat, and in a throat has got stuck any unpleasant whom from drinking vodka. - It is necessary to drink some whisky with chocolate, - has decided Vitja, - it is necessary to punch this whom, and that becomes bad. - Vitja has quickly found in a bar vial from whisky, has poured in a glass contents, has slowly taken a sip and has again plunged into the reflections in even not cooled down armchair. - And, in general, what for I to myself break a head, if Ann for all pays, let high-rezes on any features and work. Certainly, if to connect to this business Asya Prospektova and Fedja Kurkulov with the connections so something essential and would light …. Asya Prospektova likely is wild cool - she now is borrowed with the private affairs with Maxim Vaskin. Yes, a picture is excellent! Maxim Vaskin was, and there was Maxim Askin. Blast it! Even verses climb in a head. It is necessary to write down to not overlook, - Vitja has thought. – I blab out on any party. I think Max will not take offence. And Fedja Kurkulov so is wild cool. He now is borrowed with this Yana Golik. What he has found in her? And Fedja could help. He in fact already has worn all footpaths to organizers of competition. Now he there is the person. But he, likely, will not want to help? As a matter of fact, I prevent him: I rival with Yana. And in fact decent money he will take off from Yana. And what it is if to offer to him too any million? Nobody learns! Oh as he likes money. It is not present. All he most soon will not agree. If Prospektiha has pressed, he precisely would not be turned off. He is afraid of her as fire, - thought Vitja and felt that already falls asleep. - It is necessary to undress yes to lie in bed, - has flown in a head, but hands and already simply did not obey a leg. And Vitja has fallen asleep directly in an armchair. Despite of all inconveniences, Vitja it was slept not bad. Whisky though and in such small doze, have made the business. And Vitja it was pleasant. In dream in the beginning as in a kaleidoscope flashed any a picture from various concerts, and then has suddenly appeared Ann Rudnitskaja, soaring in air among clouds. Ann was in such white translucent dress and with a sparkling crown on a head. Beams from a crown that appeared, getting directly in eyes Vitja vanished. And Ann that came nearer to Vitja kept away from him. When Ann came nearer, each time spoke one and those words: - Obey me, Vitja. I shall make of you the superstar. - Vitja could not understand to what all this. In fact and in reality Rudnitskaja spoke him the same words. Only in dream there was a sparkling crown which as a magnet drew to itself look Vitja, periodically blinding his beams. Vitja has been simply bewitched by its beauty. He tried to stretch hands and to remove a crown from a head at Ann. But each time when he by hands already almost concerned a crown, Ann left from him. All this last some minutes. And during some moment of time Ann, leaving from Vitja, has disappeared absolutely. Vitja at once became quieter. But so it was short. After a while from darkness has appeared worth the person to a tree any half-naked the man with the lifted hands. To the surprise in man Vitja has learned Fedja Kurkulov. On hands and legs at him strange dark cords by which he has been strong adhered to a tree trunk were visible. Around of him as butterflies long-haired maidens in long to toe white shirts with barefooted foots flitted. Each maiden in one hand held a bunch of thin and long rods. Flying up to Fedja, maidens, everyone by turns, with the big force struck him on a back, flew away aside and again expected the turn. Each impact Fedja answered shouts and attempts to release a hand and legs. But maidens did the business with the big diligence, not paying on it of any attention. Vitja with horror has seen that the ends of cords moved. Appeared, that it were not cords, and the true long snakes with fiery eyes. If Fedja rages they threateningly hissed, coming nearer to his person to sting. And Fedja at once calmed down. And suddenly it is not known whence voice Ann was distributed: - you see Fedja, Vitja? - I see, I see …, - has whispered Vitja. - You feel as him a bit too? - has asked a voice. And Vitja has suddenly felt a terrible pain as though maidens quilted on a back not Fedja, and him. - I feel! - Vitja screams. - So you want Vitja? - has mysteriously whispered a voice. - I want to sing the true good songs! - Vitja, squirming from a pain, has cried in answer. It is a wrong answer, Vitja, - the voice has easy told. - You should sing that I to you shall tell. You will so do Vitja? - has asked the voice. - Yes! - Vitja has cried. - You will go on competition? - has again asked the voice.-Yes I shall go … I shall necessarily go! - Vitja has cried. After these words of Vitja of the maiden in a flash somewhere have disappeared, and snakes were untwisted and have quickly crept away. Fedja, being unsteady, has approached to Vitja, has seized him by a shoulder and began to shake. - And here am I? I ask you, and here am I? - Indignantly asked Fedja. … And Vitja has woken up. Koljan stand before and shake his for a shoulder. - You that was stunned? Look how many already time! And you here since morning of whisky drink! - Koljan has hooted so, that at Vitja from unexpectedness for one instant even in ears has put in pawn. - Have gone more likely, all wait for you. - Now we shall go, - has murmured Vitja, - wait a little. - Vitja has come in bathing and has quickly washed cold water. It became somehow fresh and is easy. Vitja and Koljan have quickly reached to studio. In it Vitja has seen shining Ann Rudnitskaja and John Plashchenko. They sat at a little table, and drank coffee. Vitja has greeted and at once sit down for a little table. Ann, words not speaking, has put before him a cup from coffee and any is appetizing smelling rolls. Vitja in the beginning has inhaled aroma of coffee and only then started to drink. - You know, while you there lie in bed, - has told Ann, - I have already called Prospektova. - Well also what? - has asked Vitja. - You know? She has approved all! - With pride has told Ann. - And about Fedja you have asked? - has said Vitja. - Yes. To tell the truth, I in the beginning only have hinted her about it, but Asya at once has understood all and has told, that we called Fedja, - has answered Ann. - Well, you see? And he in fact will not agree …, - slowly chewing a roll, has told Vitja. - You ahead of time do not panic, - has told Ann and, addressing to John, has mysteriously said: - Tell to him …. - John has sedately put on a table the cup from coffee and started to tell: - I have called him also all have in brief told. He attentively has listened to me and has told that he already started to work from Yana Golik. - Well, I spoke, - having interrupted John, have told Vitja. - Take your time. Give to finish speaking, - has told John. - all I shall not tell …. Well, in general, Fedja has promised to make everything, that in his forces, - has solemnly concluded Plashchenko. After his words there has stepped some silence. In one instant Ann somehow has shy asked: - So, we do this project … whether or not? - Vitja has a little kept silent, has looked on Ann and John and has blurted out, - we do! - Friends have burst out laughing and as, having agreed, began to finish drinking almost simultaneously already almost cooled down coffee.