Alexander Gradsky

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Alexander Gradsky
Александр Градский
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    Alexander Borisovich Gradsky (Russian: Алекса́ндр Бори́сович Гра́дский; born Alexander Borisovich Fradkin, 3 November 1949 – 28 November 2021) was a Russian rock singer, bard, multi-instrumentalist and composer.

    He was one of the earliest performers of

    rock 'n' roll, traditional folk songs performed with a rock twist, and operatic arias
    . He composed two rock operas and numerous songs including soundtrack music for several films and cartoons.

    Early life and musical beginnings

    Alexander Gradsky was born on 3 November 1949 in the Russian city of Kopeysk, into a family of mixed

    Russian origin.[1] His father Boris Fradkin was an engineer working in a factory, and his mother Tamara was an actress. His mother encouraged him to learn to play the violin as a child, and her brother, Boris Gradsky, Alexander Gradsky's uncle, was a dancer who toured abroad with the famous Moiseev dance group and brought home records of Western music artists including Elvis Presley, Louis Armstrong and Little Richard.[2] Such music was not ordinarily available in Soviet Russia at that time.[3][4]

    By the age of 12, Gradsky was singing Elvis Presley songs and accompanying himself on guitar.[5] In 1963, at the age of 13, he sang with a Polish student band called Tarakany (Тараканы – The Cockroaches) in a concert at the International Club of Moscow State University.[3] This is believed to have been the first public performance of rock 'n' roll by any Russian musician.[3]

    Other bands

    In the mid-1960s, Gradsky joined the band Slaviane (Славяне – The Slavs) as lead singer.

    Rolling Stones covers.[4] In 1966–1967, he was working with three bands: Slaviane, Los Panchos and Skify (Скифы – The Scythians). However, he found himself disagreeing with his Slaviane bandmates over the direction the band should take. Gradsky wanted to perform original rock songs in his native Russian language, whereas the other band members did not think that such endeavours could be successful and wanted to continue performing imported songs.[3]

    Gradsky consequently decided to form his own band, Skomorokhi (Скоморохи – The Jesters or The Buffoons) in 1967. His band became popular playing original Russian songs, as Gradsky blended elements of Western rock music with the lyric-centred, folk-influenced Russian

    bard music which was popular around that time.[3] He enrolled in Gnesins Academy of Music in 1969, and continued to perform with Skomorokhi while a student. A successful performance at the Soviet pop-rock festival Silver Strings was followed with airplay and record deals.[5]

    Solo career

    In 1971,

    LP in 1985.[8] He also composed a rock ballet Chelovek (Человек – The Man), released in 1988.[8]

    Gradsky was a

    Rimsky-Korsakov's opera The Golden Cockerel (Золотой Петушок – Zolotoy Petushok) in Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre in 1988.[5]

    — You are from Russia, nice to meet you (looks quite apprehensively).
    What did you like the most from the concert?
    — I liked the concert very much, and most of all I liked the piece
    with variable sizes: 7/8, 9/8 and 11/8. Like in Russian music.
    — Yes, like

    allegro
    .
    — I know who you are and what you are worth.

    A conversation with

    Sting, from the book "Alexander Gradsky. The Voice"[10][11]

    In the 80s, Gradsky returned to the writing a poetry and creating social-themed songs.

    charity concert for the liquidators of Chernobyl disaster.[17][18]

    Since the late '80s, Gradsky taught vocals at the Gnesin Music Academy and performed there.[5] In 1987, he became a member of Union of Russian Composers.

    His collaboration with

    recital at New York City's Carnegie Hall.[9]

    Gradsky in Tiraspol, 2014

    In late 2009, Alexander Gradsky released a 4-CD opera adaptation of Mikhail Bulgakov's novel The Master and Margarita (Ма́стер и Маргари́та), starring Gradsky himself as Master, Woland, Yeshua and Behemoth.[2] The opera also stars

    Georgi Millyar
    (voice footage from one of his movies was used).

    In his later years Gradsky positioned himself as a marginal; he was demanding of his colleagues as well as journalists.[19]

    The Voice

    In 2012-2014, he took part in the TV project "

    Alexandra Vorobyova.[22]

    He also took part in 2015; his participant, Mikhail Ozerov, took the second place.[23]

    In 2017 and 2021 Gradsky, Pelageya, Bilan and Agutin (often described in mass media as a "golden composition") returned into the show once again.[24][25] In 2017, a participant from Gradsky's team, Selim Alahyarov, has won the competition.[26] In 2021, Alisher Usmanov took the second place.[27]

    A significant part of Gradsky's team made up the troupe of the "Gradsky Hall", opened in 2015.[28]

    Personal life

    Alexander Gradsky was married four times. His first marriage was when he was in his early twenties but it didn't last long and they divorced within months. He was married for the second time in 1970 to actress Anastasia Vertinskaya. His third marriage was with a then 20 year old Lomonosov Moscow University economics student Olga Fartysheva. They were married for 23 years and had two children together Daniel (March 1981) and Maria (January 1986). Alexander was in a relationship with Ukrainian fashion model Marina Kotashenko in his late years, they had two sons together: Alexander (2014) and Ivan (2018).[29]

    Death

    After contracting COVID-19 in September 2021, amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia, Gradsky's health steadily deteriorated. On 26 November 2021, he did not feel well at home, and was urgently hospitalized at a Moscow hospital for a suspected stroke.[30][31] On 28 November 2021, he died at the age of 72.[32] On 1 December 2021, he was buried at the Vagankovo Cemetery.[33]

    Discography

    Rock operas

    Russian title English translation Year
    Стадион Stadium (rock opera) 1985
    Мастер и Маргарита The Master and Margarita 2009

    Other albums and EPs

    Russian title English translation Released Recorded
    Давид Тухманов. Как прекрасен мир David Tukhmanov. How Beautiful is the World
    (Alexander Gradsky sings two songs)    		 1972 1971
    Поёт Александр Градский Alexander Gradsky Sings 1973 (EP) 1969—1972
    Романс о влюблённых A Lover's Romance
    "A Lover's Romance" motion picture soundtrack    		 1974 1973
    Солнце, снова солнце Sun, Sun Again 1976 (EP) 1976
    Александр Градский и ансамбль "Скоморохи" Alexander Gradsky and Skomorokhi
    Gradsky's music on R. Burns, W. Shakespeare, A. Voznesensky's verses    		 1976 (EP) 1976
    Александр Градский и Элтон Джон
    (Только ты верь мне)    		 Alexander Gradsky and Elton John
    (Only You Trust Me)    		 1979 (EP) 1972
    Русские песни Russian Songs
    Vocal Suite on the themes from the Russian folklore    		 1980 1976—1978
    Александра Пахмутова. Птица счастья
    Alexandra Pakhmutova
    . Bird of Happiness
    (Alexander Gradsky sings two songs)    		 1980 (EP)
    Сама жизнь
    Вокальная сюита на стихи Поля Элюара    		 Life Itself
    Vocal Suite on
    Paul Eluard
    's verses    		 1984 1981
    Звезда полей
    Вокальная сюита на стихи Николая Рубцова    		 Fields Star
    Vocal Suite on verses by
    Nikolai Rubtsov
    		 1986 1982
    Сатиры
    Вокальная сюита на стихи Саши Черного    		 Satire
    Vocal Suite on verses by
    Sasha Chyorny
    		 1987 1980
    Давайте начнём Let's Get Started 1987 (EP) 1985—1986
    Утопия АГ Utopia AG
    Vocal Suite on verses by R. Burnes, P. Shelley, and Béranger    		 1987 1979
    Размышления шута
    Вокальная сюита    		 Reflections of a Jester
    Vocal Suite    		 1987 1971—1974
    Флейта и рояль
    Вокальная сюита на стихи Бориса Пастернака и Владимира Маяковского    		 Flute and Grand Piano
    Vocal Suite on verses by Boris Pasternak and Vladimir Mayakovsky    		 1988 1983
    Ностальгия
    Вокальная сюита на стихи Владимира Набокова    		 Nostalgia
    Vocal Suite on verses by Vladimir Nabokov    		 1988 1984
    Человек
    Балет    		 The Man
    Ballet    		 1988 1986
    Монте-Кристо
    Узник замка Иф    		 Monte Cristo
    "The Prisoner of Château d'If" motion picture soundtrack    		 1989 1987
    Концерт-сюита Concert Suite 1989 1979—1987
    Экспедиция Expedition 1990 1990
    (n/a) Metamorphoses 1991 1991
    Несвоевременные песни Untimely Songs 1994 1990
    Фрукты с кладбища Fruits from the Cemetery 1995 1991
    ЖИВьЁМ в России (A)live in Russia 1996 March 17, 1995
    Золотое старьё Golden Junk 1996
    Коллекция АГ (13CD) Collection of AG (13-CD set) 1996
    Легенды русского рока
    Градский и группа "Скоморохи"    		 Legends of Russian Rock
    Gradsky and Skomorokhi    		 1997
    ЖИВьЁМ в России 2 (A)live in Russia 2 2000 November 3, 1999
    Хрестоматия Reader 2003 2003
    Песни для Иры Songs for Ira 2003 2003
    Неформат Unformatted 2011 2010—2011

    DVDs

    Russian title English translation Year
    ЖИВьЁМ в России 2
    Юбилейный видеоконцерт    		 (A)live in Russia 2
    Jubilee video concert    		 2004
    ЖИВьЁМ в России
    Юбилейный видеоконцерт    		 (A)live in Russia
    Jubilee video concert    		 2010
    Антиперестроечный блюз
    (фильм-концерт 1990)    		 Anti-Perestroika Blues
    (Film-concert 1990)    		 2010

    Awards

    References

    1. ^ "Alexander Gradsky". Biography (in Russian). Retrieved 28 March 2011.
    2. ^ a b c "Alexander Gradskiy". Master & Margarita. Retrieved 28 March 2011.
    3. ^ a b c d e f Yoffe, Mark; Laing, Dave. "History of Soviet and Russian Rock Music". Written for Continuum Encyclopedia of Popular Music of The World: Locations. SOFT POWER. Archived from the original on 31 August 2011. Retrieved 28 March 2011.
    4. ^ a b c d "Biography". Official website (in Russian). Gradsky.com. Retrieved 28 March 2011.
    5. ^ a b c d e f g h Ofman, Gregory. "Alexander Gradsky: biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 March 2011.
    6. ^ "Официальный сайт Давида Тухманова.«Как прекрасен мир» 1972 г." (in Russian). Archived from the original on 1 February 2012. Retrieved 20 January 2012.. In Russian
    7. ^ "История советской рок-музыки" (in Russian). Archived from the original on 27 August 2010. Retrieved 3 May 2012.. In Russian
    8. ^ a b "Discography". Alexander Gradsky official website (in Russian). Gradsky.com. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
    9. ^ a b "Alexander Gradsky will make a recital debut at Carnegie Hall". New York Daily News. 1 March 1999. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
    10. ^ Dodolev, Е. Александр Градский. The Голос. — Ripol-classic, 2013. — ISBN 978-5-386-05582-0
    11. ^ Pavlenko, M. (1989). "По-моему, вы все спятили" (PDF). Rumba: 24. Retrieved 29 November 2022. К примеру, у нас состоялся такой разговор со Стингом: «Вы из России, очень приятно» - и так с опаской смотрит. Спрашивает: что вам больше всего понравилось в концерте? Отвечаю: концерт очень понравился, а больше всего понравилась пьеса с переменным размеров – 7/8, 9/8 и 11/8. Как в русской музыке. ОН говорит: да, как у Стравинского. Я говорю: да, как в «Весне Священной». ОН говорит: да, как в третьей части. Отвечаю: да, как в аллерго. ОН говорит: Я знаю, кто ты такой и чего стоишь.
    12. ^ "О Владимире Высоцком - Александр Градский". www.gradsky.com. Archived from the original on 20 February 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2022.. In Russian
    13. ^ "Классик первого тайма. Умер Александр Градский". 28 November 2021. Archived from the original on 22 December 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2021.. In Russian
    14. ^ "Фестиваль "Рок-Панорама-86" — пластинки ("Мелодия", разные выпуски) | Архив | Наш НеФормат". www.nneformat.ru. Archived from the original on 21 August 2013. Retrieved 2 December 2021.. In Russian
    15. ^ "Радиола. Год 1986 – Таблоид (автор и ведущий: Сергей Сычёв) (12 июля 2014 года)". tabloid.net.ru. 12 July 2014. Archived from the original on 15 June 2021. Retrieved 17 July 2022.. In Russian
    16. ^ "Лучше бы я стал строителем, а не певцом — Александр Градский — www.gradsky.com". www.gradsky.com. Archived from the original on 30 November 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2021.. In Russian
    17. ^ "Снова в СССР — www.gradsky.com". www.gradsky.com. Archived from the original on 17 September 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
    18. ^ "Рок в помощь: как прошёл первый концерт в поддержку чернобыльцев". m24.ru (in Russian). Archived from the original on 17 September 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
    19. ^ "Своих врагов я ликвидирую — Александр Градский". alexandergradsky.com. Archived from the original on 2 December 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2021. In Russian
    20. ^ Градский обречённый: Большой ребёнок, ворчливый идеалист, лишний на празднике жизни. In Russian
    21. ^ "Пионер подпольного русского рока, композитор, певец и наставник. Памяти Александра Градского". Archived from the original on 9 December 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2021.. In Russian
    22. ^ "Заслуги мэтра: 4 талантливых ученика Градского, которые стали победителями шоу "Голос"". Archived from the original on 13 December 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2022. In Russian
    23. ^ "Александр Градский — "Голос": Биография, личная жизнь, фото, дети". uchastniki.com. 30 May 2016. Archived from the original on 8 August 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2016.. In Russian
    24. ^ «Игры «Голоса»: почему вернули золотой состав In Russian
    25. ^ Градский — душа «Голоса»: незабываемые моменты шоу с участием маэстро In Russian
    26. ^ Победителем шестого «Голоса» стал Селим Алахяров Archived 2018-09-10 at the Wayback Machine // Российская газета. — 2017. — 30 декабря. In Russian
    27. ^ "Участник команды покойного Александра Градского занял второе место в 10-м сезоне шоу "Голос"". Archived from the original on 5 January 2022. Retrieved 5 January 2022.. In Russian
    28. ^ Бояринов Денис (22 December 2021). "Утопия А.Г.: Гений сильнее среды? Судьба и сделки с дьяволом Александра Градского". Colta.ru (in Russian). Archived from the original on 8 February 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2022. In Russian
    29. ^ "Градский накануне 69-летия стал отцом в четвёртый раз". Life.ru (in Russian). 1 November 2018. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
    30. ^ Samoilenko, Alina (26 November 2021). "СМИ: Александра Градского госпитализировали с подозрением на инсульт". Блокнот Россия (in Russian). Retrieved 28 November 2021.
    31. ^ Glyba, Konstantin (26 November 2021). "Александр Градский в больнице с подозрением на инсульт. Шоу "Голос" продолжит выходить в эфир". Komsomolskaya Pravda (in Russian). Retrieved 28 November 2021.
    32. ^ Anisimova, Natalia (28 November 2021). "Умер Александр Градский". РБК (in Russian). RBK Group. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
    33. ^ "В Москве простились с музыкантом Александром Градским". Iz.ru (in Russian). 1 December 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
    34. ^ "Указ Президента Российской Федерации от 29.07.1997 г. № 795 «О награждении государственными наградами Российской Федерации»". www.kremlin.ru (in Russian). Официальный сайт Кремля. 29 July 1997. Archived from the original on 25 February 2020. Retrieved 29 November 2021. In Russian
    35. ^ "Указ Президента Российской Федерации от 03.11.1999 г. № 1471 «О присвоении почётного звания „Народный артист Российской Федерации" Градскому А. Б.»". www.kremlin.ru (in Russian). Официальный сайт Кремля. 3 November 1999. Archived from the original on 29 November 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2021. In Russian
    36. ^ "Указ Президента ПМР № 276 "О присвоении почетного звания "Народный артист Приднестровской Молдавской Республики" ГРАДСКОМУ А.Б." | Официальный сайт Президента ПМР". 17 August 2016. Archived from the original on 17 August 2016. Retrieved 2 December 2021. In Russian
    37. ^ "О присвоении почетного звания "Народный артист Приднестровской Молдавской Республики" Градскому А.Б." www.gradsky.com. Archived from the original on 2 December 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2021. In Russian
    38. ^ "Градский, Лиханов и Каабак получили Премию Высоцкого "Своя колея"". Российская газета (in Russian). Archived from the original on 20 February 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2021. In Russian

    External links

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