Pjotr Leschenko 1935

Product Description
Pjotr Konstantinowitsch Leschenko is the "King of Russian Tango". From the 1930s up to the 1950s no other emigrant singer could be compared to him in popularity. Not only was he famous abroad, but also in Russia, though not a single recording of his music was officially released in his own country. Long before Pjotr Leschenko died in a penal camp near Bucharest in July 1954, he had become a legend.

Leschenko was born on June 2, 1898. in the small village of Isawa in South Russia, not far from Odessa. The First World War turned him into an emigrant against his will; Russian's neighbor, Romania took advantage of the circumstances and swallowed up this part of Russia. In January 1918, Romanian troops occupied Bessarabia and overnight Pjotr Leschenko became a citizen of Romania.

Never having learned a conventional profession he had to rely on his talents in music. Together with his Latvian wife Zinaida, a dancer, he performed a mixture of ballet and folklore. The couple caused a sensation and set off on tour: Egypt, Palistine, Persia, Turkey. But Leschenko's breakthrough as a singer happened in Riga, Latvia. Zinaida was expecting a baby, so he had to perform without her. He started to singing songs of Russian Gypsies, songs that everyone in the audience was quite familiar with. He sang with a voice and an interpretation that caught on. A wave of enthusiasim swept throughout Europe. He travelled through Yugoslavia, performed in Vienna, Paris and - following Lady Laudley's wish - even in England.

In 1935 Leschenko reached the peak of his success. There was no need for him to travel around to find his audience - his fans came from afar to see him; they came to Bucharest to the "Leschenko", his place which was called the "Maxim of the East". Leschenko always hired the finest musicians for his orchestra. The program always started with the Gypsy songs, but the second set presented a different Leschenko on stage; a man in a tuxedo, with a white silk handerchief. Then it was time for the Tangos, most of which were exclusively composed for him.

The Second World War marked his decline. In August 1944 Romania declared war on Germany, a short time later the Red Army moved into Bucharest. Their commanding officer, General Bulganin, became Leschenko's patron. From then on Leschenko sang every night for the Red Army officers who felt privileged finally to have the chance to see the living legend on stage. When Stalin began to draw in the reins in Moscow, Bulganin had to go. The "Leschenko", the restaurant of the "white emigrant", was put into liquidation. Leschenko fell under the wheels of sovietization; stage bans, only a few concerts. He was arrested onstage in his Gypsy dress and died on July 16, 1954 in the sick bay of a camp not far from Bucharest.

Pjotr Leschenko 1935,Pjotr Leschenko

Average customer rating: Excellent, even if you don't speak Russian!

Pjotr Leschenko 1935 ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Gloomy Sunday 1931-1937 ASIN: B000053VTU Release Date: 2000-11-01

Tracks:

1. Serdtse (tango)
2. Musenka (tango)
3. Tatjana (tango)
4. Ujdi (tango)
5. Poj, Tsygan, Platsch, Tsygan (romance)
6. Ty Jedjesch Pjanaja (romance)
7. Dunja (foxtrot)
8. Nastenka (foxtrot)
9. Cha-Tscha-Tscha (foxtrot)
10. Serdtse Mamy (tango)
11. Dawaj Prostimsja (tango)
12. Moja Marusjetschka (foxtrot)
13. Kapriznaja, Uprjamaja (romance)
14. Sinjaja Rapsodija (tango)
15. Djewonka (romance)
16. Senjorita (tango)
17. Bjellotschka (tango)
18. Kogda Zashgutsja Fonari (tango)
19. Lola (tango)
20. Karavan (romance)
21. Igraj, Tsygan (English waltz)

Album Description

Pjotr Konstantinowitsch Leschenko is the "King of Russian Tango". From the 1930s up to the 1950s no other emigrant singer could be compared to him in popularity. Not only was he famous abroad, but also in Russia, though not a single recording of his music was officially released in his own country. Long before Pjotr Leschenko died in a penal camp near Bucharest in July 1954, he had become a legend.

Leschenko was born on June 2, 1898. in the small village of Isawa in South Russia, not far from Odessa. The First World War turned him into an emigrant against his will; Russian's neighbor, Romania took advantage of the circumstances and swallowed up this part of Russia. In January 1918, Romanian troops occupied Bessarabia and overnight Pjotr Leschenko became a citizen of Romania.

Never having learned a conventional profession he had to rely on his talents in music. Together with his Latvian wife Zinaida, a dancer, he performed a mixture of ballet and folklore. The couple caused a sensation and set off on tour: Egypt, Palistine, Persia, Turkey. But Leschenko's breakthrough as a singer happened in Riga, Latvia. Zinaida was expecting a baby, so he had to perform without her. He started to singing songs of Russian Gypsies, songs that everyone in the audience was quite familiar with. He sang with a voice and an interpretation that caught on. A wave of enthusiasim swept throughout Europe. He travelled through Yugoslavia, performed in Vienna, Paris and - following Lady Laudley's wish - even in England.

In 1935 Leschenko reached the peak of his success. There was no need for him to travel around to find his audience - his fans came from afar to see him; they came to Bucharest to the "Leschenko", his place which was called the "Maxim of the East". Leschenko always hired the finest musicians for his orchestra. The program always started with the Gypsy songs, but the second set presented a different Leschenko on stage; a man in a tuxedo, with a white silk handerchief. Then it was time for the Tangos, most of which were exclusively composed for him.

The Second World War marked his decline. In August 1944 Romania declared war on Germany, a short time later the Red Army moved into Bucharest. Their commanding officer, General Bulganin, became Leschenko's patron. From then on Leschenko sang every night for the Red Army officers who felt privileged finally to have the chance to see the living legend on stage. When Stalin began to draw in the reins in Moscow, Bulganin had to go. The "Leschenko", the restaurant of the "white emigrant", was put into liquidation. Leschenko fell under the wheels of sovietization; stage bans, only a few concerts. He was arrested onstage in his Gypsy dress and died on July 16, 1954 in the sick bay of a camp not far from Bucharest.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent, even if you don't speak Russian!.......2003-12-18

It's a shame that Leschenko is not better known in this country, for he was one of the finest performers of his time. His singing is highly emotive but diverse and never artificial; his songs atmospheric--making you feel like you're in a smoky, exotic European nightclub in the 1930s. The tragic story of his life makes his songs even more poignant. Leschenko was heavily influenced by gypsy music, but his style is nonetheless distinctively Russian. Surprisingly superb sound quality, too!

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