Valery Gergiev is a popular Soviet and Russian conductor. Behind the artist's back is an impressive experience of working at the conductor's stand.
Childhood and youth
He was born in early May 1953. His childhood passed in Moscow. It is known that Valery's parents had nothing to do with creativity. He was left without a father early, so the boy had to grow up quickly.
At the age of 13, Gergiev became the only support for his mother. She was left without support, and now the responsibility fell on her shoulders not only for the upbringing, but also for the material support of the children.
He started playing music at the age of seven. It is interesting that at first Valery himself was not at all interested in music. He took pleasure in playing football. But, one way or another, at the music school, Gergiev was one of the most capable students.
By the way, Valery studied well not only in music, but also in a comprehensive school. The young man often participated in various school competitions. In an interview, Gergiev admitted that he had always been a purposeful guy. This was taught to him by his father, who during his lifetime repeated that his son always moved towards a given goal.
In the early 70s, the young man entered the conservatory. He studied under the guidance of the talented I. Musin. Living in a hostel and living in a cultural environment served as an excellent lesson for Gergiev. Here he finally and irrevocably fell in love with the sound of Russian classics. He was attracted by the sound of melodies by Russian composers.
The creative path of the artist
The young man declared his talent in his student years. He took part in the prestigious festival, which took place on the territory of Berlin. Participation in the festival allowed to win the Grand Prix. Then he "took" first place in the competition of conductors.
Since the 80s he has been conducting an Armenian orchestra. In the 90s, Valery devoted a lot of time to tours abroad. A couple of years later, he proved himself as a conductor of the opera Othello. In the mid-90s, he took up the post of conductor of the Rotterdam Orchestra.
He helped and helps young talents in every possible way. In the new century, the artist became the founder of the Valery Gergiev Foundation. The purpose of the organization is to help in carrying out cultural projects.
2007 also did not remain without news. It turned out that he led the London Symphony Orchestra. Experts and fans were quick to congratulate the conductor. They noted his eccentricity in "reading" the long-loved classics.
After 5 years, an international action took place, in which the Russian conductor and James Cameron took part. The artists presented a 3D broadcast of Swan Lake. A year later, he was among the contenders for the Grammy.
Some time later, he participated in a concert dedicated to the legendary Maya Plisetskaya. The immortal works of M. Ravel "Bolero" were performed on the stage.
In 2017, Valery Gergiev built a concert hall in one of the resort villages. Authoritative architects were involved in the construction of the cultural object.
Valery Gergiev: work at the Mariinsky Theater
After graduating from the conservatory, Valery worked for some time as an assistant conductor at the Mariinsky Theatre. He was predicted a good future. A year later, Gergiev stood at the main conductor's stand.
Soon he managed to become the head of the theater. Having taken a prestigious position, he first of all organized a fest, which was based on the immortal works of Mussorgsky.
Valery Gergiev repeatedly confirmed that it was not in vain that he took the post of head of the theater. He raised the level of the theater in every possible way. Moreover, he worked not only on the artistic and performing part, but also on the architectural one.
In 2006, with his assistance, a concert hall was opened. Some time later, the second stage was presented, and in 2016 the theater expanded its boundaries.
He took care of the theater workers. In an interview, Valery said that comfortable working conditions are one of his main priorities. For his employees, he literally won the house of artists. In the mid-90s, the conductor knocked out several million dollars in order to save the Mariinsky and Bolshoi Theaters.
With his orchestra, he traveled to international festivals. He performed not only at solemn, but also tragic events. After the terrorist attack in Ossetia (2004), Valery organized a series of concerts dedicated to this difficult topic.
He gladly shared his experience with musicians, composers, artists. During the reign of the theater, he brought up and produced world-famous musicians.
The maestro worked closely with Yu. Bashmet. Valery is not at all against experiments. His symphony orchestra often collaborates with other world musicians. For example, in 2020, a joint performance with M. Fujita took place.
Details of the personal life of the maestro
In his youth, Valery had many dizzying novels. A man, mostly met with girls of creative professions. Mom, who was worried about the fate of her son, begged him to connect her life with an ordinary woman who would create family comfort in the house and provide a reliable rear. But, he had his own view of family life.
At the sunset of the 90s, at one of the musical events that took place on the territory of St. Petersburg, he met a girl. Natalya Dzebisova won the heart of a talented composer at first sight. The girl was much younger than Valery, but this did not repel him or her. They began dating secretly, and a year later legalized their relationship.
The wedding ceremony was pompous and on a grand scale. In this union, the couple had several children. Maestro spends a lot of time with his family.
Valery Gergiev: our days
Today, the artist continues his creative path. In an interview, Valery said:
“This year I intend to give several new productions, as part of the first international discussion forum #ArtSpace. I will say right away that these will be rather big productions ... ".
A year later, in the theater headed by the maestro, the XXIX fest "Stars of the White Nights" began. Russian musicians became the main participants of the festival. In 2021, the artist appeared in the Evening Urgant program.
