Here are 9 famous musicians from Russia were born in 1946:
Vladimir Zhirinovsky (April 25, 1946 Almaty-) is a Russian lawyer, politician and singer. His child is called Igor Vladimirovich Lebedev.
Zhirinovsky is the founder and leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR), which he established in 1991. He has been a member of the Russian parliament, the State Duma, since its inception in 1993, and has run for president of Russia six times.
Zhirinovsky is known for his controversial and often inflammatory statements, which have led to him being called the "court jester of Russian politics" by some. He advocates for a strong, authoritarian government and often speaks out against immigration and minority rights.
However, Zhirinovsky is also a prolific writer and has authored numerous books on politics, law and history. In addition to his political career, he has also pursued a career in music, releasing several albums of patriotic and folk songs.
Despite his polarizing views and often confrontational style, Zhirinovsky remains a prominent figure in Russian politics and a symbol of the country's complex political landscape.
Zhirinovsky was born to a Russian mother and a Tatar father in Almaty, which was then part of the Soviet Union (now Kazakhstan). He studied law at Moscow State University and later worked as a lawyer before transitioning to politics in the late 1980s.
Zhirinovsky's political career began in 1989 when he founded the Liberal Democratic Party of the Soviet Union, which was one of the first opposition groups allowed to operate in the country. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, he established a new party with the same name in Russia and quickly rose to prominence in the tumultuous political landscape of the post-Soviet era.
Zhirinovsky has gained notoriety for his often outrageous behavior in parliament, including physical altercations with other members and theatrical speeches. He is known for espousing nationalist and populist views, while also having a complicated relationship with the Kremlin. Despite this, he has been a vocal supporter of President Vladimir Putin and his policies.
Zhirinovsky's music career began in the 1990s, when he released albums featuring patriotic songs and covers of traditional Russian folk tunes. He has also dabbled in acting, appearing in several films and television shows.
Despite his polarizing views and actions, Zhirinovsky remains a fixture in the Russian political landscape and a reminder of the complexities of contemporary Russian politics.
In addition to his involvement in politics, law and music, Zhirinovsky has also been the subject of various controversies throughout his career. He has faced accusations of anti-Semitism, racism and misogyny, and has been criticized for his aggressive and inflammatory rhetoric. In 2014, he faced international condemnation for his comments about Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, which was shot down over Ukraine, suggesting that Ukrainian authorities were responsible for the tragedy. Zhirinovsky has also been accused of receiving funding from the Kremlin and of being involved with organized crime. Despite these controversies, Zhirinovsky remains a prominent figure in Russian politics, with the LDPR currently holding seats in the State Duma.
Zhirinovsky's political career has also been marked by several failed attempts to become president of Russia. He first ran for the presidency in 1991, and has since run in every presidential election except for the 2012 race. His best result was in the 1991 election, when he finished third with over 7% of the vote. In the 2018 election, Zhirinovsky received just over 5% of the vote, his lowest result in any presidential race. Despite his failures to win the presidency, Zhirinovsky has remained a vocal and visible presence in Russian politics, and his party continues to hold seats in the State Duma.
Zhirinovsky's controversial statements and actions have also made him a target of ridicule and parody in Russia, with many comedians and satirists using his image and persona for comedic effect. Despite this, Zhirinovsky remains a serious and influential figure in Russian politics, and his party's support has remained stable despite the changing political climate in the country.
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Michael Kugel (December 5, 1946 Kharkiv-) is a Russian violist.
He began playing the violin at age six, and later transitioned to the viola. Kugel studied at the Moscow Conservatory and later became a professor there. He has won numerous international competitions and has performed as a soloist with many leading orchestras around the world. Kugel is also a respected chamber musician and has collaborated with some of the most prominent artists and ensembles in the field. He has recorded extensively and his recordings have received critical acclaim. Kugel is widely regarded as one of the greatest violists of his generation.
Kugel has also made significant contributions to the development of viola technique, and his book "Viola Time" has become a standard reference for violists around the world. In addition to his performing and teaching career, Kugel is also known for his humanitarian work. He has been involved with various charities, including the Russian Children's Welfare Society, and has helped raise significant funds for the victims of the Chernobyl disaster. Kugel has been recognized for his contributions to music and culture, receiving numerous awards and honors including the prestigious Honored Artist of Russia award. He continues to perform, record, and teach, inspiring a new generation of violists to follow in his footsteps.
In addition to his viola career, Michael Kugel has conducted masterclasses and workshops in various countries such as Germany, Italy, and Japan. He is a strong advocate for music education and has served as the artistic director and jury member of several international music competitions. Kugel has also been a frequent guest of music festivals such as the Salzburg Festival and the Tagesspiegel festival in Berlin. Apart from his classical music collaborations, Kugel has also worked with modern and jazz musicians, including being featured as a soloist on the soundtrack of the 2015 film "Legend" directed by Brian Helgeland. Kugel was also recognized for his efforts in preserving the cultural heritage of his hometown, Kharkiv. He founded the Kharkiv International Viola Festival in 2020, which aims to promote music and culture in the city. Throughout his career, Kugel has been known for his dedication to his craft, his warm and expressive playing, and his commitment to giving back to society.
In addition to his impressive musical accomplishments, Michael Kugel is also a noted author and scholar. He has published numerous articles and essays on music and culture, and his research interests include the history of viola performance and the works of composers such as Shostakovich and Prokofiev. Kugel's insights into these subjects have made him a highly respected figure in the field of musicology. He has also written several books on viola performance, including "The Viola in My Life" and "The Viola Player's Handbook", which are widely used by students and professionals alike.
Despite his many achievements, Kugel remains a humble and dedicated artist, always striving to improve his craft and inspire others. He is known for his warm personality, his generosity with his time and knowledge, and his deep love of music. Whether performing on stage, teaching a masterclass, or participating in a charitable cause, Michael Kugel is a true ambassador for the art of music and a shining example of the power of dedication and perseverance.
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Oleg Kagan (November 22, 1946 Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk-July 15, 1990 Munich) also known as Kagan, Oleg or Олег Моисеевич Каган was a Russian violinist.
His albums include Complete Works for Violin and Piano.
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Sergei Leiferkus (April 4, 1946 Saint Petersburg-) also known as Leiferkus, Sergei or Leiferkus, Sergei Petrovich is a Russian singer.
His discography includes: Mazeppa, Symphonies No. 1 e No. 15, The Fiery Angel, The Orchestral Songs, Volume 2, Shostakovich: Symphony no. 14 / Mussorgsky: Songs and Dances of Death, and The Orchestral Songs, Volume 1.
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Vladimir Martynov (February 20, 1946 Moscow-) also known as Martynov, Vladimir, Vladimir Ivanovich Martynov or V. Martynov is a Russian composer, music historian and film score composer.
His albums: Opus Posth, Hymni, Come In!, Passionslieder, The Correspondence, Litania Ad Mariam Virginem, Night in Galicia, Music of Vladimir Martynov and .
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Leonid Filatov (December 24, 1946 Kazan-October 26, 2003 Moscow) a.k.a. Leonid Alekseyevich Filatov was a Russian writer and actor.
He was best known for his work in Soviet and Russian cinema, including roles in "Office Romance" and "The Pokrovsky Gate". Filatov was also a prolific writer and playwright, creating several popular plays and screenplays, such as "The Most Charming and Attractive", "The Sorcerer", and "The Tale of Soldier Fedot, The Daring Fellow". In addition to his creative pursuits, Filatov was also an active member of the Russian political scene, serving as a State Duma deputy from 1995 to 1999. Sadly, he passed away in 2003 due to heart problems at the age of 56.
Filatov was born in Kazan, Tatar ASSR, USSR. After completing his secondary education, he joined the Army and served in the airborne troops. He began his acting career in the 1970s with small roles in films and television shows. He gained recognition for his work in the popular TV series "Seventeen Moments of Spring".
Filatov's literary talent was also widely recognized. He was a member of the Union of Writers of the USSR, and his works were published and performed in many countries. He often used satire and humor to critique Soviet society and bureaucracy.
In addition to his acting and writing career, Filatov was also involved in public service. He was a member of the Russian Parliament from 1995 to 1999, representing the liberal democratic party Yabloko. He was known for his support of human rights and his opposition to corruption and authoritarianism.
Filatov's legacy continues to be celebrated in Russia today. In 2004, a memorial plaque was unveiled in his honor in Kazan. His plays and films are still performed and enjoyed by audiences around the world.
Despite his success and popularity, Leonid Filatov led a private life, rarely giving interviews or making public appearances outside of his professional commitments. He was married twice and had two children. In addition to his creative and political pursuits, Filatov also had a love for music and was known to play the accordion.
Throughout his career, Filatov was awarded numerous accolades for his contributions to literature and cinema, including the Order of Honor and the Order of Friendship of Peoples. His work remains an important part of Russian cultural history and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of artists and writers.
Filatov's impact on Russian culture extended beyond his creative and political endeavors. He was also a prominent advocate for the preservation of the Russian language, often speaking out against the use of Western loanwords and promoting the use of traditional Russian vocabulary. In 1997, he published a manifesto titled "On the Russian Language and Literature", which called for a return to the basics of Russian language and literature education.
In addition to his acting and writing work, Filatov was also a highly respected translator, having translated works by William Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, and Samuel Beckett into Russian. He was also known for his translations of English language songs into Russian, including The Beatles' "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind".
Despite his untimely death, Filatov's work continues to be celebrated and studied in Russia today. His plays and films are regularly performed and studied in universities across the country. In 2016, a collection of his unpublished works was released posthumously, providing new insights into the mind of one of Russia's most beloved creative figures.
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Tatiana Grindenko (March 29, 1946 Kharkiv-) also known as Grindenko, Tatiana or Tatjana Grindenko is a Russian violinist.
She is perhaps best known for founding the renowned ensemble, Opus Posth, in 1990. Grindenko is a graduate of the Moscow Conservatory where she studied under the tutelage of renowned violinist, Yuri Yankelevich. Throughout her career, she has performed with many prestigious orchestras such as the Moscow Soloists, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra. Grindenko was also awarded the State Prize of the Russian Federation in 1993 for her contributions to music. In addition to performing, she has taught violin at various institutions including the Moscow Conservatory and the Zurich Conservatory.
Grindenko is known for her unique style of playing that blends traditional Russian techniques with contemporary interpretations. She has collaborated with several contemporary composers including Arvo Pärt, Sofia Gubaidulina, and Valentin Silvestrov to create new works for the violin. Her recordings of these works have been critically acclaimed and have earned her widespread recognition as a champion of contemporary music.
Aside from her musical career, Grindenko has also been involved in humanitarian and charitable work. In the 1990s, she founded the charitable organization "Steps" that provided support and aid to vulnerable and disadvantaged populations in Moscow. She has also been a vocal advocate for the preservation of cultural heritage and has worked to protect historical sites and monuments.
Today, Grindenko continues to perform and teach, and remains an influential figure in the world of classical music. Her contributions to the field have earned her numerous awards and honors, and she is widely regarded as one of the greatest violinists of her generation.
In addition to her work with Opus Posth, Tatiana Grindenko has also been a member of the internationally acclaimed Kronos Quartet, with whom she performed and recorded extensively throughout the 1980s. She has also collaborated with a variety of other musicians and ensembles, including cellist Alexander Ivashkin and pianist Alexei Lubimov.
Grindenko's dedication to contemporary music has led her to commission and premiere numerous works by leading composers of the 20th and 21st centuries. She has also been actively involved in promoting new music through her work as a festival director and organizer. She served as the artistic director of the Moscow-based Alternativa Festival from 1993 to 2010, and has also curated programs for festivals and concert series in Europe, Asia, and North America.
In recognition of her outstanding artistic achievements, Tatiana Grindenko has been awarded numerous honors and distinctions. In addition to the State Prize of the Russian Federation, she has received the Shostakovich Prize, the Triumph Prize, and the Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters from the French Ministry of Culture. She is also an honorary member of the Royal Academy of Music in London and the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena, Italy.
Grindenko's passion for music has not only influenced her career as a musician but also her scholarly pursuits. In 1995, she defended her doctoral thesis on "The Folklore Basis of the Violin School of Yuri Yankelevich," her former teacher. Her research focused on the historical and cultural roots of Russian violin music and traditions. This scholarly work reflects Grindenko's dedication to the preservation and promotion of Russian classical music history.
Grindenko has also been recognized for her commitment to improving music education. In 1997, she established the Moscow Conservatory School for Gifted Children, where she served as the head until 2001. The school provides a unique opportunity for young musicians to receive specialized training and experience under the guidance of distinguished artists and professors.
Throughout her career, Grindenko has continued to collaborate with contemporary composers, including Vladimir Martynov, Giya Kancheli, and Pēteris Vasks. Her versatility and adaptability as a musician have allowed her to bridge the gap between traditional and contemporary music, making her a significant figure in the development of modern classical music.
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Tolib Shakhidi (March 13, 1946 Dushanbe-) is a Russian composer and film score composer.
He was born in Dushanbe, the capital city of Tajikistan, which was then part of the Soviet Union. Shakhidi studied at the Moscow Conservatory and went on to become a highly respected composer of classical music, opera, and film scores. He has written music for over 100 films, including several that have won international awards. Shakhidi's work blends elements of traditional Central Asian music with modern Western classical music, creating a unique and distinct sound. In addition to his film scores, he has also composed ballets, operas, and orchestral works. Shakhidi's contributions to the world of music have been recognized by numerous awards and honors, including the Order of Friendship of Peoples, one of the highest civilian awards in the former Soviet Union.
Shakhidi's interest in music started at a young age, and he began studying the piano when he was six years old. He continued his education at the Tajik State Conservatory before moving to Moscow to study at the Moscow Conservatory. There, he studied under Yuri Shaporin and Tikhon Khrennikov, both respected composers in their own right.
After completing his studies, Shakhidi started his career as a composer, working in various fields, including film scores, theater productions, and symphonic compositions. He quickly gained a reputation for his ability to blend different musical styles, creating unique and powerful works.
Among his most famous film scores are those for the movies White Sun of the Desert and The Bodyguard. He has also composed music for the Olympic Games and for numerous ballets, including Romeo and Juliet and The Nutcracker.
Shakhidi has been recognized for his work with multiple awards and honors, including the title of People's Artist of the USSR and the State Prize of the Russian Federation. His music continues to be performed and recorded around the world, and he remains one of the most respected and influential composers of his generation.
In addition to his work as a composer, Tolib Shakhidi has also been a dedicated educator throughout his career. He has taught at several universities and conservatories, including the Moscow Conservatory and the Gnesin Academy of Music. Shakhidi has also served as a mentor and advisor to many young composers, helping to shape the next generation of classical music artists.
Shakhidi's music has been praised for its unique and innovative style, which combines elements of traditional Central Asian music with Western classical composition techniques. His works often incorporate traditional instruments and melodies, such as the dombra and the shashmaqam, which add a distinctly Central Asian flavor to his music.
Despite the challenges faced by many artists during the Soviet era, Shakhidi managed to maintain his artistic integrity and continue creating important and influential works. His compositions have been performed by some of the world's leading orchestras, and his music has been recorded by many prominent artists.
Today, Tolib Shakhidi remains an important figure in the world of classical music, both in Russia and around the world. His legacy as a composer and educator continues to inspire and influence new generations of artists, and his contributions to the development of modern classical music are widely recognized and celebrated.
Shakhidi's interest in blending different musical styles also extended to his social and political beliefs. He was a strong advocate for cultural diversity and worked to promote the music and traditions of Central Asia, which he felt were undervalued in the Soviet Union. His commitment to preserving cultural heritage led him to found the Ensemble of Tajik Folk Instruments, which performed traditional music from the region and helped to popularize traditional instruments like the tuyduk and the dutar.
Throughout his career, Shakhidi collaborated with a wide range of musicians and artists from different fields. He worked with poets, choreographers, and filmmakers to create interdisciplinary works that explored the intersection of different art forms. He was also known for his generous spirit as a mentor and colleague, often helping younger artists to develop their skills and find opportunities to showcase their work.
In addition to his many accomplishments as a composer and educator, Shakhidi was also a devoted family man. He married his wife, Tatiana Shakhidi, in 1967 and they raised two children together. Despite his demanding schedule, he always made time for his family and enjoyed spending time at their dacha outside of Moscow.
Today, Shakhidi's legacy continues to inspire musicians and artists around the world. His commitment to cultural diversity, his innovative approach to music composition, and his generosity as an educator and colleague have earned him a place as one of the most important and influential figures in modern classical music.
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Valentina Tolkunova (July 12, 1946 Armavir, Russia-March 22, 2010 Moscow) a.k.a. Валентина Толкунова, Tolkunova, Valentina, Valentina Vasilevna Tolkunova or V. Tolkunova was a Russian singer. She had one child, Nikolay Paporov.
Her albums include . Genres she performed: Pop music and Jazz.
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