Evgeny Svetlanov - conductor, who is subject to music

Evgeny Fedorovich Svetlanov (1928 - 2002) - an outstanding conductor, composer and pianist. For 45 years he worked at the Bolshoi Theater, combining this enormous creative activity with the leadership of the USSR State Committee for the Conservation of the USSR.

Brief information from childhood

Both the father and mother of the future musician of rare talent were opera singers. Or rather, the Bolshoi Theater soloists. And his childhood was connected, as well as the subsequent work, with rehearsals of the theater and music, which he began to do from the age of six. Evgeni Svetlanov sang in the choir, took part as a mime in performances and even once climbed onto a chair, after hearing music, and began to conduct. This was noticed by A. Nezhdanova and conductor N. Golovanov. They laughed heartily and foretold that such a boy would necessarily be a conductor.

Youth

She rushed swiftly, passing in studies at the Institute. The Gnessins. As a performer in his student years, Yevgeny Svetlanov struck with a new deep reading, revealing the plans of the authors of the works he performed.

With success he studied and composition. His works are based on Russian classics. Most of all he was influenced by S. Rakhmaninov. In parallel, he tried his hand as a conductor. And from the fourth year he works next to his teacher in the Orchestra of the All-Union Radio. The work of the conductor unites, synthesizes all the knowledge gained by the pianist and composer.

Behind the console of the Bolshoi Theater

In 1955, Yevgeny Svetlanov first appeared in the Bolshoi. It was the opera Pskovityanka. The singers considered his work exceptionally worthy. And the dancers noted that under his hands the orchestra sounded so that it gave creative power to the performer.

He surprisingly subtly felt the choreography. Dance and music were inseparable. Performers gained freedom, confidence and inspiration.

"Anthology of Russian Symphony Music"

In the sixties this heroic work begins. And it does not stop for thirty years. This business Yevgeny Svetlanov carried through the creative life, as a mission. The beginning was made by the recording of Tchaikovsky's symphonies. A total of one hundred ten discs were recorded.

Recognition abroad

For the first time in 1964, together with Bolshoi, he performed in Italy at La Scala. The success was grandiose. He was equated with such great conductors as A. Toscanini, B. Walter and Karoyan.

Evgeny Svetlanov: personal life

The first marriage took place while working in the Bolshoi with the soloist Larisa Avdeeva (mezzo-soprano). They grew up son Maxim. Young journalist of the radio "Mayak" Nina Nikolaeva in 1974 came to interview the great musician. She was a profession, including a musicologist. Not only because of her specialties, but also at the behest of her soul, she attended the concerts of the great maestro. The door was opened by her husband, Svetlana Larisa Ivanovna, and Yevgeny Fyodorovich himself followed her. He was dressed in a stunningly beautiful blue dressing gown with black satin lapels and slippers on his bare foot. All the details of the first meeting were forever engraved in memory of Nina Alexandrovna, because she fell in love at first sight. She was divorced, but her dream was unavailable.

Continuation of the novel

During one of the interviews the conversation deviated from the topic, and it turned out that they were both passionate fishermen. Then the great conductor went somewhere and brought a Japanese fishing rod amazing beauty. They agreed to meet after work. Nina did not believe that the meeting could take place. And yet, Yevgeny Fyodorovich came and invited him to dinner at the Minsk restaurant. But for some reason it was closed. Then Nina suggested to go to a small quiet restaurant, where no one recognizes the musician. They quietly had supper and talked about everything. And the next day Svetlanov came to her in Davydkovo, on the outskirts of Moscow, in a five-story building without an elevator and stayed all night. He was exhausted and just asleep. And in the morning he knelt down and said that he would never forget it.

Separation and a new meeting

Their relationship was not easy to develop. More than a year Svetlanov did not make itself felt. And suddenly the call and the question: "Are you surprised? Can I come to you? "They met and stayed together for twenty-five years. Nina's wife devoted all his life to him. They did not think about children at first, and then it was too late.

Disease and death

A tumor appeared on the hip, which practically did not disturb. But analyzes have shown - an oncology. The doctors demanded an operation. There were ten of them, and then 25 sessions of chemotherapy. 7 months Svetlanov went on crutches and waited for the eleventh operation. He patiently endured the most painful pains. And on the last day he was given 11 injections. But the pain did not go anywhere. It was impossible to endure it, and he cried. And then, saying that it seems to be getting better, he fell asleep. In the morning he looked already with some kind of detached glance. He died in the evening, at 7 o'clock, on a bright May day on the eve of Easter.

The funeral

He asked to bury himself at the Vagankovskoye cemetery, because it is more democratic than Novodevichye.

Any person can visit him there. Svetlanov wanted that one of his works be performed. Perhaps, as he said, this will be the last time.

Evgeny Svetlanov is a conductor-titan. He suffered not only from severe physical pains, but also because of his favorite child - the State Sister. The break with him because of economic turmoil in the 90s turned Svetlanov into a lonely persecuted artist. The last concert about two weeks before his death, Svetlanov Evgeny Fedorovich gave in London. Symphony "Winter Dreams" by P. Tchaikovsky and "Bells" by Rachmaninov were performed with the BBC Orchestra.