Comedian and musician Levon Oganezov

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

For many years, the famous pianist, humorist, composer and TV presenter Levon Oganezov has been pleasing with his performances. Several generations have fallen in love with him. His appearance on stage is always accompanied by applause from the grateful audience. Learn about his path to the stage.

Childhood of Levon Oganezov

December 25, 1940 is the date of birth of the famous Levon Oganezov.

The accompanist's parents moved to Moscow from Georgia. My father worked as a shoemaker, tried to provide for his large family. He went from a simple shoemaker to the owner of his own workshop. They had to move a lot, Sarkis (Sergei) Artemovich was convicted of "the murder of Kirov." On the future pianist's birthday, he planted a tree that still grows in the yard of their former house.

Mom, Maria Alekseevna, did housework and raised five children. Until 1943, because of the war, they had to live in Tbilisi. After the start of the offensive of the Soviet troops, the family returned to the capital. The brothers and sisters received a good education. Someone became a translator, economist, architect, and someone became a famous pianist. Like real Armenians, the family has always been hospitable, even in harsh years.

Their surname in translation means "fiery" and the biography of Levon Oganezov confirms this.

How Leon Oganezov's career began

Parents sent the boy to study music at the age of 4. At first, a private teacher worked with him. Then, after 10 years of study at the Moscow Conservatory. Tchaikovsky, he received a diploma of a classical pianist.

He began to work as an accompanist on duty at the Mosconcert already in his last year of study. He participated in various piano competitions, where he often received high awards. The rise of the accompanist's career began at the age of 18, when he had to replace a sick pianist and sit down at the instrument during a performance by tenor Mikhail Aleksandrovich in the Column Hall of the House of the Unions.

Leon Oganezov and stage

He went on tour for a long time with the gypsy band "Romen". But Levon Oganezov became truly famous in tandem with such famous people as Claudia Shulzhenko, Valentina Tolkunova, Mark Bernes, Oleg Anofriev. For many years he had not only professional, but also strong friendly relations with Andrei Mironov.

The season opened at the Variety Theater with his big program of romances, which he prepared with Nikolai Nikitinsky. For a long time he led the orchestra for Joseph Kobzon. For almost 5 years he traveled with Vladimir Vinokur, where he was both an accompanist and a participant in humorous miniatures. And, of course, everyone remembered him for participating in the concerts of Alla Pugacheva and Maxim Galkin.

His repertoire is varied. It contains many classical works by such composers as Mozart, Chopin, Liszt. You can listen to their joint jazz work with the famous Russian saxophonist Igor Butman. In 2003, a program of old gypsy and Russian romances with Alexandra Grishina was prepared. He prepared a whole concert of vocal cycles and arias based on works by G. Rossini.

He deserved to be called the "band man".

Television, theater and cinema in the life of pianist Leon Oganezov

His humorous character helped him become the host in popular television projects: “Good evening with Igor Ugolnikov”, with A. Arkanov he participated in the program “White Parrot”. I also remember in the programs “Life is Beautiful” and “The Fuss Around the Piano”. In 1998 he received the Golden Ostap award for humor in music.

Despite a busy schedule, manages to star in several films:

• "Trace of Rain";
• "It's not serious";
• "Dacha for sale".

In the theater of satire, he was remembered for playing in the play "Farewell, entertainer!". Now he participates in various show projects of leading television companies: Channel One, Domashny, Rossiya. His presence always visibly enlivens the participants and spectators.

The wonderful pianist Levon Oganezov earned the following awards with his work and love for music:

• in 1993 received the title of Honored Artist of Russia;
• in 1998 he won the Golden Ostap award for humor in music;
• in 2010received the title of People's Artist of Russia.

Talent, determination and a good sense of humor helped him achieve high goals.

Leon Oganezov with his family

When asked about nationality, Levon Oganezov always answers that he is an Armenian Georgian. He met his future wife Sophia on a Moscow bus, although they grew up together in Perovo. Parents on both sides were against their relationship, and they have been together for many years. The wife left the Research Institute where she worked to raise two daughters.

Both daughters now live in America. Although they received a musical education, they did not follow in the footsteps of their father. Maria (senior) is a trained financial analyst and organizes speaking engagements in New York. The youngest Dasha works in a large corporation and heads the advertising department.

Levon Oganezov jokes that perhaps one of his granddaughters will become a musician.

He is ranked among the best accompanists in Russia. He believes that the best rest is only at work, he is now touring a lot around the world. Even on rare vacation days with his wife and daughters, he will always find something to do.