Sergey Letov: biography of the musician

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

The bright saxophonist-improviser Sergey Letov is known in narrow circles, the general public more often remembers his brother. But he writes a lot, performs, collaborates with the most interesting musicians, his work is distinguished by originality and nonconformity, but Sergey is not interested in fame, he prefers to spend his life exclusively on creativity.

Childhood and family

Sergey Fedorovich Letov was born on September 24, 1956 in Semipalatinsk in the family of a military man. The boy turned out to be very capable of mathematics, and therefore he had a chance to study at a boarding school at the university in the Novosibirsk Akademgorodok. When Sergey was 8 years old, his brother Igor was born, who later became the famous creator of the Civil Defense punk group Yegor Letov. The younger brother was often sick, and Sergey was busy with him a lot, he sang to feed him, he was the first to give Igor a rock opera to listen to. In 1965, the family moved to Omsk, where Letov Jr. would later live almost all his life.

Happy student life

Sergey goes to Moscow after school andenters the Moscow Institute of Fine Chemical Technology. M. In Lomonosov. During his studies, the then future musician was interested in art, but mainly fine and literary. He systematically surveyed bookstores in search of interesting books, visited museums and exhibitions. Upon graduation, he enters graduate school, the topic of his research is heat-shielding coatings, in particular, for the Soviet satellite Buran. Some time after studying, Sergey works as an engineer, but he is fond of the saxophone, and begins to learn to play this instrument on his own.

A new calling

Despite the obvious ability to science, Sergey Letov abandoned it and completely devoted himself to the new business of his life - music. He enters the Tambov Cult Education School at the Brass and Variety Department, where he professionally masters the instrument.

At the same time, a passion for collecting saxophones was born in him, today he has a lot of rare items in his collection, some of which he made himself. The unique collection does not collect dust in cabinets; Letov actively plays all these instruments. He masters all types of saxophone: soprano, baritone, tenor, as well as different versions of flutes and bass clarinet. In 1982, for the first time, Sergei was invited to a public musical performance as a saxophonist, he accompanied the Mark Pekarsky percussion ensemble in a play by Mikhail Zhukov. So Sergey Letov gets into the bohemian youth company of artists, musicians of the Soviet underground.

Rock and Jazz

In 1982, the novice musician was noticed by Sergey Kuryokhin, a bright avant-garde composer and director of performances. Their fruitful collaboration lasted 11 years, during which time Sergey Letov grew into a true professional not only as a performer, but also as a composer. Two Sergeys performed as a duet, and Letov also played in the famous Pop Mechanics. Communication with Kuryokhin brought many famous people to life as a saxophonist, such as Boris Grebenshchikov, Vasily Shumov, Konstantin Kinchev, Pyotr Mamonov and many others. Sergey Letov in the 80s worked with almost all the cult rock bands of that time. As a virtuoso saxophonist and improviser, he fit in well with the aesthetics of rock.

Sergei Letov, whose photos are increasingly featured in the chronicles of rock festivals, is becoming famous.

The second sphere of application of Letov's talents is jazz. The outstanding improviser and multi-instrumentalist works a lot in this direction, writes jazz compositions, participates in group concerts, practices free jazz, which has a lot of fans around the world.

Three O Orchestra and Conceptualism

Letov Sergey is an avant-garde musician, he was infected with conceptualism back in the 70s, and this love does not weaken over the years. In the Central House of Artists, he becomes close to Andrei Monastyrsky and Nikita Alekseev, representatives of the unofficial association of conceptual artists "Collective Actions", participates in the work of apartment exhibitions and concerts, meets musicians, communicates with those whotoday they became masters: Sofia Gubaidullina, Alfred Schnittke. Sergey Letov is an active participant in a huge number of art and musical projects, in the famous exhibitions of the groups "20" and "21" he improvises on the saxophone, plays in groups that now and then arise at this time. Today Sergei Fedorovich lectures on Moscow Conceptualism, made a website about them, communicates with the same fans of this movement around the world.

In 1985, Letov with a group of like-minded people created the Three O wind ensemble, which was originally called "Three Holes of a Woman" in memory of Joyce's "Ulysses". The group played "intuitive" music and gained great popularity in underground circles, they were invited to play at exhibitions, at jazz festivals. The ensemble toured a lot around the country and abroad, Sergey Kuryokhin collaborated with them for some time, together they conquered many countries. The group also took part in theatrical productions together with Alexander Filippenko, Anatoly Vasiliev, Mikhail Mokeev, did a program with D. Prigov.

Private life

Sergey Letov is a creative person, but at the same time he is known for his strict moral principles and established views. On this basis, he even broke up with his brother, who dreamed of fame, a large number of fans. Sergei was always interested only in creativity and family. He has been happily married for many years and has three daughters. Letov has many hobbies, so his life is always varied and eventful: he writes essays, studiesmusic site, lectures, and tours extensively.