Uzklikšķiniet.

Just kidding, of course.

Vysu lobu,
/P

Ah,  think, Peteri,  life would be that much more dull,  instead of droll, LOLtime, if you and Aleks didn’t have your sparring partner!

Nasdarovia! ... no personal offense intended BTW, guys, Dzintarsaulite—just joshing!

Irena

I agree, Irēna! And I make an offering to the Billary-voting Ambersun also, one of my favorite songs.

Vysu lobu,
/P

Oooooh la la!  As they say in French or used to anyway.  Very nice!  I love tangos!

As long as we’re playing favorites here—here’s one of mine from oh soooo long ago.  The fab Tim Buckley with his incredible range, who died an early, untimely death; and as it so happens he was born February 14th (Valentines’ Day), which is tomorrow for all you gents who might have forgotten to remember—your wives, girlfriends.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quJ1z-vdTK0

Irena

Here’s another oldie, a tango, I just couldn’t resist!

Irena

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMXhiTgSzIE

Irena - 13 February 2008 05:21 PM

Here’s another oldie, a tango, I just couldn’t resist!

Irena

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMXhiTgSzIE

P.Leschenko had lived in Riga and was married the Latvian girl.

He was executed by Soviet secret service SMERSH for “collaboration” in Romania (as “he sang songs for the nazi “), despite of he was the favourite singer of all Soviet generals (and their wives).

Best wishes,

Juris

Thank you, Juri!  That’s very interesting!  He is referred to as the King of Russian tango.  I had played this for my mother once, but she said she had never heard of Pyotr Leschenko, though she said the melody sounded familiar.

Irena

AugustaDels et al.,

“P.Leschenko had lived in Riga and was married the Latvian girl.

He was executed by Soviet secret service SMERSH for “collaboration” in Romania (as “he sang songs for the nazi “), despite of he was the favourite singer of all Soviet generals (and their wives). “.

The Latvian girl, Zinaida, was my mothers sister.  I did not know that he was executed by Soviet secret service.

Visu labu,

Irena - 14 February 2008 11:14 AM

Thank you, Juri!  That’s very interesting!  He is referred to as the King of Russian tango.  I had played this for my mother once, but she said she had never heard of Pyotr Leschenko, though she said the melody sounded familiar.

Irena

Thanks, Iren, I m always glad to tell something, that I know.

Yes, unfortunately, there is not enough ones who knows him well in Russia too, but everybody know his melodies.

Regards,

Juris

author=“Bruno the Lett” date=“1203047222”]AugustaDels et al.,

The Latvian girl, Zinaida, was my mothers sister. 

Yes, Bruno, Zinaida Zakit, she acted together with him in his European round later, as he went on tour so much.

Some nemoirs:

“...There was a small cosy cafe under name “А.Т” in Izmaylovskaya street in old Riga. I do not know what these two letters meant,  probably, it were the initials of the owner. A small orchestra by the rule of fine violinist Gerbert Shmidt played in cafe. Sometimes there was a small program, singers acted and especial frequently - the brilliant, witty story-teller - compere, the actor of Theatre of Russian drama, Vsevolod Orels, the brother of world famous pianist Nikolay Orlov. The famous Oskar Srtrok also was performed there.

Someone has suggested an idea: “what about to arrange a performance of Leschenko in the cafe? You see he could be a success here - the room is small, and there is acoustics, it is visible, here is not too bad. “

First two songs were a success already, but when it have been declared “My Last Tango “, public was exited, seeing, that there is the author – Oscar Strok in a hall, the beginnings to applaud, addressing to him. Strok has risen on a stage, came to a grand piano and he has inspired Peter after the performance of a tango. The hall has burst in a rough applause. In general the first performance statement has passed with triumph. After that I repeatedly listened to the singer - and everywhere public well accepted his introductions.

There was the end of 1930 that can be counted the start of singing career of Peter Leshchenko.
Zinaida, wife to Peter, has given birth to the son named Igor (though relatives of Zinaida, Latvians, assumed other, Latvian name)...”

I did not know that he was executed by Soviet secret service.

I do understand.

It is told in his official biography,  as if he « has died in 1954 in Bucharest ».

But there is memoirs of his second wife:

“...We have lodged at his mother ( at Buchrest). August ‘1944 Russian armies have come into the city. Leschenko began to offer the performances there. The first concerts were accepted very much moderated. The was an order: “Do not applause to Leschenko “. He has also given a concert before the Soviet Army commander structure, and all at once has changed. Both of us began to act in hospitals and in halls. Command has allocated to us an apartment…

Peter has achieved the sanction to return home ( to Russia). The last concert has passed with a triumph ... And the hall does not leave him. I was in my artistic room: the suit, a guitar lay,  but two civilian suited men came to me and have told, that “Peter Konstantinovich is invitated for “the specific conversation””.

I did not see him more.

By someone’ words, his last words were: “God sees, there is no my fault before anybody.”

I did not see him more.

I was soon arrested too, ” for a marriage to the foreign citizen”. I have brought to Dnepropetrovsk. Have sentenced to death penalty, but it was changed for “twenty five years of labor camps” – I have sent to the camp. I have released in 1954 and found out, that Peter Konstantinovich is not present in alive.

I remember he has told having given a toast at his last party,: ” Friends! I am happy, that I come back home! My dream has come true. I leave, but my heart remains with you. “

Regards,

Juris

Fascinating stuff—paldies, Juri!

I’ll add Oskar Davidovich Strok (Oskars Stroks) out of local patriotism. Don’t listen to the Rigacentric—he was a Dvinskian! And he was the king of tango!

Vysu lobu,
/P

A bit more Ute Lemper, the video to circle two topics that have come here.

/P

In keeping with the Latvian spirit, traditions, here we have the Latvian tango, “Tris Vitusas Rozes”, definitely one of my favorites, played since time immemorial at nearly every single latviesu trimdas ballite; though, I must say, that I’ve heard more inspiring renditions—and since when does “vitusas rozes”, translate into “scented roses”?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BkOI-2jUbI

Irena

Sublime! (in reference to the first tango posted)

I had never heard of Ute Lemper. Paldies visiem for all the links. She reminds me a bit of Patricia Kass. But these days this is more my speed:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgpNTqPvwb0&feature=related

:-)

Pierre

Peteris Cedrins - 15 February 2008 01:30 AM

Fascinating stuff—paldies, Juri!

Nav par ko, Peteri.

I’ll add Oskar Davidovich Strok (Oskars Stroks) out of local patriotism. Don’t listen to the Rigacentric—he was a Dvinskian! And he was the king of tango!

Vysu lobu,
/P

Jā. Viss tā. Tomēr, Stroks neizpildīja savējās melodijas, viņš bija komponists. Tas ir, viņš kļuva par “tango karali” komponistu starpā.

Bet izpildītāju starpā....

Ar cienību,

Juris

Aaaaaaw!  How very cute, Pierre!  And just think, pretty soon you’ll be shelling out some $500 or more, so that your daughter can go see Hannah Montana in concert—though by that time, she’ll (Ms. Montana)  likely have already become a has been!  But no doubt, there’ll be someone else to replace her, as the price of concert tickets soar to unbelievably, ridiculous amounts!

Irena (for whom the current muscial scene stagnated somewhere around the Pretenders and Chrissie Hynde) sigh!