Iosif Davidovich
Kobzon
1937-2018
Iosif Davydovich Kobzon was one of the most prominent and significant figures of Soviet and Russian pop music, a teacher, public and political figure who devoted his life to art, culture and service to society. He was born on September 11, 1937, in the small village of Chasov Yar (now part of the Donetsk People’s Republic). His childhood was spent during the Great Patriotic War and, as he himself recalled, the hardships hardened his character and taught him to be resilient. From an early age, Kobzon showed an interest in music. After school, I.D. Kobzon entered Dnepropetrovsk Mining Technical School, but his passion for music soon took over. At the end of the 1950s he began to study at State Musical and Pedagogical Institute named after the Gnessins. This was the beginning of his professional career as a singer. He repeatedly took part in competitions, demonstrating his unique vocal abilities, and soon gained widespread fame. By the early 1960s he had become one of the most popular performers on the Soviet stage, singing songs that later became national treasures and won the hearts of millions of listeners. Kobzon had a strong, expressive, lyrical and dramatic baritone that made his singing recognisable and special. He sang patriotic and lyrical compositions, including songs about the motherland, friendship and life. His repertoire included more than three thousand works, including songs by Soviet and Russian composers, classical romances and folk melodies. Among them are such famous compositions as “And in our yard”, “I love you, life”, “Victory Day” and many others. Thanks to his voice, sincerity and passion in his performance, I.D. Kobzon became a symbol of the era and one of the most respected artists of the Soviet Union and Russia. In 1971 I.D. Kobzon began to take part in the famous ‘Song of the Year’ competition, where he performed almost every year. Kobzon’s artistic career was extremely fruitful: he repeatedly won prestigious music competitions, such as the International Pop Song Contests in Sopot, Budapest and Warsaw. Thanks to his high professionalism and talent, he received many awards and titles, including People’s Artist of the USSR and winner of the USSR State Prize. In 1997 I.D. Kobzon announced his retirement from the stage and went on a farewell tour that lasted almost a year. The last concert of the tour took place on September 11, in Moscow, on the stage of the concert hall “Russia”, on the day of the singer’s 60th birthday. This farewell concert was an important event for his fans and a symbol of the end of an era in Soviet and Russian pop music. After the end of his stage career, I.D. Kobzon did not leave public life, devoting himself to political and social activities. In 1997 he was elected to the State Duma of the Russian Federation, where he served for more than 20 years until his death in 2018. During his years in the State Duma, he held important positions, was Chairman of the Committee on Culture and, since 2012 – deputy chairman of the committee. Kobzon was always concerned with the preservation and development of Russian culture, supporting young artists and working to strengthen cultural values. Kobzon’s political activity was closely connected with his civic position: he actively participated in peacekeeping missions, negotiated during the hostage-taking at the Dubrovka Theatre Centre, and repeatedly performed in hot spots and areas affected by natural and man-made disasters. His activities were marked by awards and honours, including one of Russia’s highest state awards – the title of Hero of Labour of the Russian Federation, which he received in 2016. A monument to I.D. Kobzon has been erected in Moscow.
Address: Moscow, Oruzheyny lane, 43, building 1
