Our conversation with Alexey Kortnev took place in the press room of the Tula regional philharmonic society. The musician came out for an interview in good mood, with a smile on his face.
— Alexey “careless concert” is an absolute interactive activity, who came up with this idea?
As a rule, ideas are born together. We came up with this thing a long time ago, about 15 years ago, during a brainstorming session. Maybe 10 years ago - I don’t remember the time periods well. We played them, then we got tired of them and abandoned it. And a year and a half ago they revived this genre again, and now it is doing very well. These days, people want to not just listen, but participate, and not have it all loud and homey. It’s clear why: we have practically lost this in everyday life, such gatherings with a guitar. I think that's why this genre is in demand.
- Well, this is always some kind of risk?
At first we had mistakes in the organization, but now we have overcome all this. Previously, we did not limit the number of people who go on stage, now we understand that it is no more than two people and no longer than for one song. As for the risk... Among our audience, no one ever went into a scandal and there were no inappropriate spectators on stage at all. However, if this happens, it will be even interesting.
— The group is 33 years old, its success has been proven. Who is your audience now, and what might surprise the “Accident” group?
Some may surprise external events. But what happens at our concerts no longer surprises me. On the other hand, we are waiting, maybe something extraordinary will happen. And our audience is still the same educated, intelligent people from 25 to 55 years old. But we also see very young people at concerts, which is very nice. Of course, there are more 15-year-old girls at boy band performances, but we also have such girls.
I don’t know yet - they hide everything from me, as if from a seriously ill person. I know that we will go somewhere with my wife and mother. I suspect that a whole crowd of people will go with us, but they don’t tell me anything. And on the 10th, for some reason, we are going to Sheremetyevo, maybe we’ll just have lunch there. I'm not expecting any gifts. I was lucky and always had what I wanted. I don’t dream about material wealth at all. I dream of world peace, so that all this bullshit that is happening around Russia and other countries will stop.
Alexey Kortnev and Kamil Larin.
We will have a play-show “Two for 50”. The script has already been written. We invited a bunch of friends with whom we've spent half our lives together. These are “Quartet I”, Valdis Pelsh, Andryusha Makarevich, Zhenya Margulis, “Bi 2”, Max Leonidov, Ira Bogushevskaya, Tanya Lazareva, Diana Arbenina... These are people with whom we interacted in the cinema, in the theater, on the stage.
— What does the number 50 mean to you? Is it time to take stock or is this just the beginning?
This number means absolutely nothing to me. This is half of a hundred, but it is clear that most of the world's population does not live a hundred years. Therefore, this is by no means half of life, but significantly more. 35 or 40 years mean much more to a person.
Valdis Pelsh and Alexey Kortnev, mid-1980s.
— You organized the “Accident” group together with Valdis Pelsh. How often do you manage to see each other now?
We are guaranteed to see each other once a month - we play a play together. Plus we do some projects together. Seryozhka Chekryzhov, our main composer, and I write music and lyrics for it. We involve Valdis in all our significant events, for example, at concerts for our 30th anniversary. Now, at my 50th birthday celebration, he will shine on stage. So mostly we communicate on business, but we come up with these things for ourselves with great pleasure.
— From the times of the USSR, what are you most nostalgic for?
By own youth. There were also very few cars on the roads - which was nice. Everything else was worse.
— You have more than 40 film roles under your belt. How do you manage to combine everything?
I have no filming at all right now. I refuse a lot, I cannot and do not want to exchange stage activities for filming. If I had been offered the opportunity to star with Andron Konchalovsky, then I would have approached this more carefully and would certainly have freed up time for filming. Offers to work in various TV series or uninteresting films are not worth turning down concerts and performances.
Alexey Kortnev and the Saltykov-Shchedrin Show team.
— You are now hosting the “Saltykov-Shchedrin Show” on NTV. What can we expect from new releases?
There will be very interesting stories. We have already filmed quite a lot of forward programs. Some things will be very poignant, the songs will be funny and again poignant, which is nice. I think the show is unlikely to last very long because its range of topics is very limited. After a season, people will get tired of looking at housing and communal services problems, although these problems will not go away. But it’s impossible to tell the same joke every evening. So I understand that this is a temporary project, and maybe a launching pad for something innovative.
— What emotions does another NTV show “Through the Mouth of a Baby” bring you?
Exceptional joy! Communicating with these wonderful kids there is pure delight! I think that this program will live forever, although it will not be able to win a wide audience. But parents will always be interested in this program. And it doesn’t matter who will lead it.
— You have five personal consultants for this program. What are your children's hobbies?
My eldest son Tyoma. Having worked in various positions, he came to me to work as a senior administrator at our School of Three Arts (a school led by actress Nonna Grishaeva, choreographer Yegor Druzhinin and musician Alexei Kortnev. - Author's note), which we opened in Khimki. Nikita studies at the Institute of Radio Electronics and Automation. Senya and Afonya go to school, Asya goes to kindergarten. So far so.
— Your wishes to our readers.
Health, more money, economic miracle and peace!
Alexey Kortnev with his wife Amina, sons Arseny and Afanasia, daughter Aksinia.
Dossier
He wrote his first songs in the seventh grade of an English special school in Moscow.
He studied at the Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics of Moscow State University, but did not graduate from the university.
In 1983, together with Valdis Pelsh, he created the group “Accident”.
Translator of the texts of popular foreign musicals staged in Russia (“Cats”, “The Witches of Eastwick”, “Mamma Mia!”, “Beauty and the Beast”).
Presenter on NTV of the show “Through the Mouth of a Baby” and “Saltykov-Shchedrin Show”.
Family: third wife Amina Zaripova, son Artemy (from his first wife Irina Bogushevskaya), son Nikita (from Elena Lanskaya), from Amina - sons Arseny and Afanasy, daughter Aksiniya.
Selected filmography: “Moscow Saga”, “Night Sisters”, “Election Day”, “Lilac Branch”, “Radio Day”, “What Men Talk About”, “Boiling Point”, “There Was Love”, “Angel on Duty”, "Rzhevsky against Napoleon", "Cuckoo".
Alexey Kortnev - about his civic position, the upcoming anniversary of “Accident” and the refusal to Channel One.
On February 2, at the Moscow Arena, the popular Moscow band “Accident” will play a big solo session, which was supposed to take place last year, but fell through due to good reason. Before the concert, Izvestia columnist Mikhail Margolis had a heartfelt conversation with NA leader Alexei Kortnev.
- Last fall, you fell so ill that “Accident” had to cancel a dozen planned performances, including a big Moscow solo album.
- Is this the same specialist who treats Valery Kipelov and Pelageya?
You are apparently talking about Lev Borisovich Rudin. He is a first-class therapist, and in his office we actually often meet with the same Pelageya. He referred me to Ivanchenko, since my problem could not be solved with therapeutic methods. I apparently quailed in the summer, and also caught a serious cold under the air conditioning and finished off my voice at the London Olympics, where I screamed in the stands like a real fan.
- Is the concert at the Arena essentially your “repayment of debts”?
Yes, and for those who were going to see it in November, the tickets purchased then are valid. We want to show a few new songs, but not much. In my opinion, arrange premieres in big hall not quite right. Here you need to play what people already know.
- While you were being treated, a series of events took place in our country, the “Dima Yakovlev Law” was adopted, for example. Could the moods and customs of this winter be reflected in your upcoming works?
You know, I realized that I cannot react so quickly to current circumstances. For the performance, to make some tough couplets and insert them, say, into the song “Snowflake” - that’s welcome. Soon we will have regular shows of Radio Day, and there I will definitely write something about the State Duma, its activities and laws. This is a feuilleton genre. But I can’t quickly compose serious songs. I really envy the ability of Vasya Oblomov or Dima Bykov to instantly and efficiently respond to events.
- But I’m talking not so much about feuilleton essays, but about your recognizable sad philosophicalness. The one that, for example, again manifested itself in volume in the latest NS album “Tunnel at the End of the World.” Relatively speaking, are you ready for the songs “Sasha Walked Along Highway 2” or “Tears of Men 2”?
Yes, I'm working on such a thing. Let's just say it accumulates in me like an avalanche. Because the level of idiocy in the country, unfortunately, is growing every month.
- Your wife, multiple world champion in rhythmic gymnastics Amina Zaripova, does she agree with you or doesn’t she care? Let's say she can go to an opposition rally?
She understands everything perfectly. Although initially Musya was quite neutral about my “civic activity.” However, what kind of special activity do I have there... I’m not an organizer of a protest movement, but a sluggish person in it. But Musya already went with me to the recent march on January 13 against the “law of scoundrels.” About 30 people gathered in our company, and in fact half of them came to the rally for the first time, while seven of them were my friends who were specifically involved in the topic of orphanages and charity. They were simply shocked by what the Duma deputies did.
- Sergei Nikitin, as you probably know, refused to participate in anniversary party Yuri Bashmet after certain public statements by the famous violist. Are you ready to react in a similar way in a similar situation?
Yes. For example, just an hour ago I refused an offer to try myself as a host of one of the popular information programs on Channel One. True, they told me that “we have a completely apolitical program.” But I answered: sorry, guys, I can’t. Appearing on “First” as a grimacing artist is welcome. But becoming a relay of the opinion of the channel’s management goes against my principles. That’s what I wrote in a letter to those who invited me, and emphasized that my attitude towards this TV does not apply to them specifically.
- Has anyone already told you: “Well, that’s it, Lesha, after such an answer you burned all your “bridges” to “First”?
But no one knows yet. I'm telling you first. Morally, I am, in principle, ready to part with Channel One if they react jealously to this refusal of mine. I won’t say that I will suffer much, although, of course, I will be a little sorry for some of the big glamor programs in which you can take part there from time to time. But everything, as they say, has a cost. And I’m not ready to pay such a high moral price to remain in the “Channel One” circle.
- But now you are playing in the musical “Embezzlers,” created based on the work of the notorious conformist of his time, Valentin Kataev, in the theater of the now successful cultural official Mikhail Shvydkoy.
I started collaborating with Shvydky a couple of years ago and became quite close with him, but exclusively on theatrical grounds. I really don’t know anything about his life outside the theater and have never been interested in it. Therefore, I have an absolutely positive attitude towards Mikhail Efimovich.
- He wasn’t curious: why did you, Mikhail Efimovich, “eat Gorbushka”?
It was not he who ate it, but the enterprise to which it belongs - the Khrunichev plant. And this happened long before Shvydkoy agreed to set up his own theater there. “Gorbushka” was empty for several years. At some point I was even offered to become artistic director of this DC.
- What mission?
To do whatever I think of there. And the owners of “Gorbushka” were ready to invest money in new lighting and sound equipment, refurbish the dilapidated hall, etc. But everything remained at the level of talk.
- This year will be a great year for you. to a greater extent the year of your independent projects: in the theater, cinema, on TV, or still the year of “Accident”?
Of course, the second one. Because this year the National Assembly celebrates its 30th anniversary, for which we are slowly beginning to prepare now. I’m not sure that I will be able to write some new bright songs just for the anniversary, but maybe they are not required for such a holiday. It’s better to go back to the roots, to bring up something forgotten or unpublished.
- I remember your duet etude with Andrei Makarevich “They beat with crowbars.” A popular feature today for high-profile speeches or videos on the Internet? Don't you want to try again? The same Vasya Oblomov sings with Noise and Shnur, with Ksenia Sobchak and Leonid Parfenov.
For the 30th anniversary of the National Assembly, we planned to make a bunch of funny duets in the spirit of the “They Beat With Crowbars” you mentioned. God willing, this will turn into a skit for about forty minutes at the beginning of our anniversary concert. Max Leonidov, Tanya Lazareva, Nonna Grishaeva, Andryusha Makarevich promise to take part in it. It will be original story, and not a reworking in the Kavehan spirit of our old songs. Maybe there will be a musical a la the form, reminiscent of our “Last Days in Paradise.” If it turns out talented, perhaps later it will be distributed into independent short numbers.
I would like to believe. Shortly after the release of Tunnel at the End of the World, I would probably proudly agree: “Oh, yes, yes! I feel that way too.” But now I am very worried that two and a half years have passed since the release of this album, and I have not yet composed anything comparable to it. Of course, any scribbler is haunted by the fear of losing the gift of writing. But right now it’s literally choking me. I hope to overcome it.
Russian rock band "Accident" celebrates its 35th birthday. The group dates its history from September 13, 1983, when the artists of the Moscow State University Student Theater Alexey Kortnev and Valdis Pelsh decided to create a musical duet.
In an anniversary interview with TASS, the frontman of “Accident” Alexey Kortnev told why he does not allow himself to be “separated” from the group on posters, how one of the main hits was born on a bet - “What did you mean?” - and why the musicians did not want to perform their most popular songs at first.
- Alexey Anatolyevich, on the group’s website in the section for concert organizers it is stated that writing “Alexey Kortnev and the group “Accident” on the poster is unacceptable. Otherwise, the organizers must pay two fees. Whose idea, yours personally or other members of the group?
This was our joint decision and feeling, because I feel extremely awkward in such a situation. We absolutely sincerely profess the principles of theatrical studioism, that is, we do almost everything together. I am the frontman of the group, so I am better known, plus television and film activity. But in the ensemble we really work as equals. It’s just that the amount of work done is not always visible to the viewer: the authors of the song can stand on stage, and the soloist collects all the laurels.
What’s the story with “A Special Case”, where you perform with Sergei Chekryzhov? Are the other group members offended?
They join us from time to time: “Special Case” doesn’t always play together, we also have concerts with three or four of us.
In fact, this was a necessary measure, since quite often the venues where we are offered to perform cannot accommodate the entire ensemble. Relatively speaking, if there is a concert for 20 people in a small room, then it is possible to stage six people with drums, with sound amplification, but this means tormenting people with excessively loud sounds.
You have very ironic, often sarcastic lyrics. Did the fact that you grew up in a professorial family somehow influence your creativity and poetry?
I think so, because well-educated people - namely educated in a wide variety of fields of knowledge - as a rule, develop a self-ironic mindset. They know very well that they know little. Those who know a lot also imagine the volume of the unknown. I inherited from my parents a self-critical and self-ironic sense of life. And this, naturally, is then translated into lyrics and even melodies.
I've always wondered under what influence the song "What did you mean?" could be written. Have any of your friends inspired you?
No, but it was a very clear case. I was in the office of my friend and part-time man who released several of our first albums, Andrei Feofanov. Andrey came from the presentation of the group's first album " Ivanushki International" - still with a cassette, not even a disk. And so he inserted it into the tape recorder, turned it on and said: “Listen, this is the future of music.” And there are all these “clouds in the sky” and so on.
I can't say I didn't like it, it was solidly done. I say: this is great, but rock and roll will always be there, because it’s like ditties, like rap, like a criminal song - it’s very easy to compose for any reason. You can’t write the song “There are clouds in the sky” about being pushed on a tram. And you will write rock and roll. At that moment, his secretary, who was sitting one and a half meters away from us, was talking to her friend on the phone and said exactly this phrase: “What did you mean?” And Feofanov immediately stood up and said: “Here, write a song about this.” I argued with him and the next day I brought him the finished song, sang it with a guitar in the same office, in the presence of the same secretary.
The most interesting thing is that the guys from “Accident” and I had a long discussion about whether it was worth recording and releasing it at all.
- Why?
Because it was written in 30 minutes, obviously of cabbage content and mood. A joke that is made with the snap of a finger without the slightest effort. And we said quite sincerely: “Well, why?”
It’s interesting that similar debates broke out around almost all the songs that later became popular.
- For example?
- "Generals sand quarries", "If it weren't for you", "Song about Moscow", "Vegetable Tango".
- What didn’t you like about “Generals” and “If You Were Not There”?
Because we didn’t write Sandpit Generals. “If it weren’t for you,” again, because this is the music of Toto Cutugno, this is pop music, French pop music, Joe Dassin. And we - rock and roll - don’t want to sing this. Thank God, every time we didn’t have the brutality to say: “Yes, we won’t publish this - that’s all.” Therefore, we published these songs, which, in general, bring us the main income.
- I wanted to express my respect to you for the concept of the album "Kranty" -"the soundtrack of a movie that won't happen." This is a real audio play. Whose idea was it?
The idea was mine. We won’t do this a second time, of course. Now we are writing a full-fledged play, which will be called “In the city of False Dmitrov”. We release this musical on February 25th. We're starting to rehearse now, and I'm very excited about it.
As for "Krantov", there was very interesting story. It was a challenge for me. The songs were not written as a soundtrack, they were composed separately. Moreover, I first arranged them in the sequence in which they would appear on the record, even if there were no connections between them. The songs on the disc have the same sequence with minimal variations: hits that definitely should be heard first, then sags, then again something stronger. You alternate between lyrical and entertaining numbers, you can’t put two long minor songs in a row... Therefore, the sequence of songs was built without taking into account any plot. And it was terribly interesting to then connect them with some supposed plot. I really liked this job.
As a rule, I focus on concert experience, because I myself don’t understand anything about it - what will work and what won’t. I love a certain kind of music that is quite complex, and I think that this is how songs written are good. People usually don't like it very much. Therefore, we have been practicing this sequence for many decades: we write songs, play them at concerts, and depending on what we like and what we don’t, we put them on an album.
- You mentioned “In the city of False Dmitrov”. Can you tell us about the plot?
This is such a phantasmagoric story, which has already appeared many times in literature, cinema, and theater. The story of a man who returns to hometown, which he doesn't remember at all. He finds himself in a sealed town from which he escaped 25 years ago. But he doesn't remember what he ran away from. A musician, he went to work in Moscow... Then he was invited to City Day, and only at that moment he remembered that he was from Lzhedmitrov! He arrives there, and chaos begins, because this city is very, very unusual, and it is no coincidence that he ran away from there.
I won't tell you more. Come and see.
- Is this political or more social history?
It seems to me that it is now impossible to separate the social and the political at all, because politics dictates the laws by which society lives. This political satire and social satire. I hope it will be spicy enough.
It's almost a hermetic work, because almost only "Accident" will be on stage. Plus two artists.
-Who are you calling?
Seryozha Belogolovtsev and Kristina Babushkina from the Moscow Art Theater. Everyone else dramatic roles musicians will play.
- Are the musicians ready for this?
Yes. Everyone is ready for this, except the audience (laughs).
- You personally have a very successful collaboration with the Moscow Art Theater, which was awarded both the Golden Mask and Turandot. Are there any joint projects planned now?
Unfortunately no. After our collaboration with the Moscow Art Theater, we did two, as it seems to me, very significant works.
This is the play "Akbuzat" at the Ufa Russian drama theater- rock opera based on the Bashkir folk epic.
And the musical play "Generation Mowgli" with Kostya Khabensky and his foundation - a charity story with a bunch of kids on stage. They played there interesting people: Kostya Khabensky himself, Diana Arbenina, Timur Rodriguez. Sasha Kerzhakov played Kaa. In our version, he was a sports coach who constantly trained banderlogs. I played Sherkhan in line with Gosha Kutsenko. This performance is not currently on, unfortunately. I think it's temporary.
When I called with a question about an interview, the group seemed to be on Far East. How actively do you tour? Where do you perform most often?
Yes, we were in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. The schedule is incredibly tight, I can list it for you now. After summer holidays Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk was already there, the next day Pavlovsky Posad, then Perm. There will be Barnaul, a day later - Saratov, Chisinau twice, Moscow, Ulyanovsk, Moscow again - three times. The next day Tomsk, Novosibirsk. Flight to Vladivostok. On October 2nd concert in Sochi...
- Is it because of the anniversary year?
In many ways - yes. We give about 15 concerts in different cities in a month.
- If I understood correctly, not a single Crimean city was mentioned?
No. We are not invited to Crimea. We have some strangely complicated relations with both Ukraine and its former territories.
- Does this offend you?
No, it makes me happy. Otherwise, very difficult ethical decisions would have to be made. Thank God, I am freed from making these decisions.
On the poster for the anniversary concert at Crocus on November 25, Valdis Pelsh is pictured with you. Will he finally decide to return to the group for good?
No, I don't think he'll come back. And the main thing is that I don’t think that he needs it, that we need it. He returns to these anniversary concerts and will travel with us a lot. We filmed a video for these concerts and rejoiced like children. There was a very funny scenario: Valdis and I fought, chased each other... When we meet in these works, we are completely happy. And I don’t want to overshadow this happiness with constant routine work. And then, Valdis has very serious big projects that are not related to “Accident”. Let's say, after our anniversary concert in Moscow, on the 26th he flies to Antarctica for two months to shoot another documentary film, in which he has clearly found his calling.
I am terribly glad that Vadka and I collaborate from time to time and do something. He and I want to do a conversational performance for two later.
- Without a group?
Probably yes. Just like actors. About life, about some stories that happened to us, about a quarrel. No, not about a quarrel, but about human jealousy, common problems. Because we have not lived a cloudless life. We are closest friends who have been together for 35 years. During this time a lot happened.
- Are there any specific plans for the timing?
Not yet. First we need to release “False Dmitry”, and then, in about a year, we can do work with Valdis.
- The same anniversary poster promises to tell you what you had in mind. So what did you mean anyway?
To do this, come to the concert, where we try to tell you as clearly as possible.
The most important thing we meant is that free people must be free to express their thoughts and feelings. And if they: a) are not afraid; b) they are not hungry, they will be listened to. In 35 years, we haven’t written a single song at the request of the day to suck up to someone. They didn’t write a single song that glorified any political trends in the country or the world. And at the same time we gather “Crocus” - six and a half thousand people! Without being popular group, which is shown on TV and constantly played on the radio... But people want communication, and for me this is extremely valuable.
This is probably what we meant.
Interviewed Anastasia Silkina
The singer, musician and host of the show “Through the Mouth of a Baby” spoke about creativity, family and midlife crisis.
– Alexey, with your comedic roles and “light” songs, you give the impression of a person who does not get hung up on problems, endures life’s hardships effortlessly, like a Buddhist. Is this true or is the impression deceptive?
Deceptively. I can’t say that I tolerate problems easily, but I do. With a certain tenacity. Believe me, the gap between a person and his stage image is great. I don’t want to say at all that I’m gloomy and withdrawn, but I’m definitely very reflective and worried. My apparent superficiality is an optical illusion.
– Have you ever felt discouraged when it seemed like you hadn’t done anything special in your profession and you wanted to give up everything? How did you get out of the situation?
Crises happened about once every five years. As a rule, they are connected with the fact that you exhaust some idea and realize that there is no point in doing anything further in this direction. I saved myself by changing the vector of movement, that’s how they appeared musical performances group “Accident” together with the theater “Quartet I”, rock operas, or I completely went into translating musicals. The best way in this situation, it seems to me, you shouldn’t give up everything and become a taxi driver, but change the direction somewhat, remaining true to your business.
– You are the host of the program “Through the Mouth of a Baby.” Think about one of your children's funny sayings.
My favorite is the work of my son Afanasy (Alexey has five children: Artemy (29 years old), Nikita (19 years old), in his current third marriage with Amina Zaripova, Arseny (14 years old), Afanasy (11 years old), Aksinya (6 years old). - Note “Antennas”). He had a lot of family “drivers” - iPhone, Ananasy, and Fantomasy. But somehow, reflecting on his transformable name, Afonya asked: “And if there was no “o” in my name, would my name be Afnya?” From that moment on, he became Afnya and has been in this position for several years.
– Are you a frivolous person by nature, do you let things take their course, or do you prefer to strictly follow the plan?
I prefer, as far as possible, to calculate the consequences in advance. I don’t like it when they try to force me into a situation that I have no control over: they say, let’s get involved and then we’ll see.
– Have you ever been on a diet?
– I don’t follow diets, but twice a year my wife and I cleanse our bodies. We drink a course of herbs and roots for 10 days, trying to get by with a minimum of food, and healthy food, after which intestinal function improves. After such a unique detox we feel very good.
– Why did you decide to shave your head at one time?
– I started going bald when I was 25, receding hairline and bald patches appeared, but I didn’t want to cover my bald spot with backcombing. As soon as I realized that my hair wouldn’t come back, I shaved with ease and pleasure. I was about 30 years old then.
– You wear a ring in your ear. How long ago? Do you change your accessory or is it the only one you have?
– Just recently I was forced to change it. I had to take it off during filming, and I safely lost it. Then a bag with spare rings was taken out of the bins. I wore the previous one for about 10 years. I really don’t care what kind of ring is in my ear. The first one appeared for me in 1987. And now it is rather a symbol of a bygone era.
– Your wife Amina Zaripova is a famous gymnast in the past. Is it easy to live under the same roof with a strong-willed, purposeful woman?
We are both capable of compromise, although, of course, we occasionally squabble and even swear sometimes, but this is all superficial. In fact, our views coincide 95 percent; we don’t really have anything to argue about. There are some issues that Amina decides, and there are things that I am responsible for. And we don't go into each other's territory. Amina takes care of our travels, although we decide where to go together. She deals with tickets and hotels easily; this is a common thing for her. As for leisure, where to go with children, what to do on vacation, what sports - this is more my territory, although it’s nice to discuss this together. But the reading is entirely up to me, since I am a big book lover, in this regard my authority is indisputable. As for education, we are of the opinion that the best thing in this sense is personal example. We don’t particularly theorize on this topic, we just live in love and harmony in front of our children.
– In September, you and your wife will celebrate their 15th anniversary of marriage. This is your third marriage. Have you ever gone through a crisis, what helped you survive?
– Yes, it was about seven years ago, but we overcame it safely. A crisis, in my opinion, is always a loss of purpose. Creative or family have the same origin. When you don’t understand how to develop relationships further, disasters happen. We got through them safely, because we both understood that this was a midlife crisis. That is, the thing is almost chemical. You just need to survive it, go through this time.
– You once said that for long-term family happiness it is necessary for a “fresh” child to appear in the family every three years. Do you still think so?
– And I think so, and Amina, we make plans, but it doesn’t always work out clearly, like in mathematics. But I hope that we will have more children.
– Amina had her birthday on August 10th. How did you please your loved one? What did you give?
– We were on vacation in Bulgaria at that time. big company. And the gift was a joint one - we bought her a bunch of things at the golf store.
– How do you feel about money? Do you make spontaneous purchases or distribute your budget, counting every penny?
Of course, we don’t count pennies, and spontaneous purchases do happen. So a few years ago Amina bought me own initiative very expensive car. But she had to save a year for it. I was touched, but we agreed that we would not do this again. As a rule, our requests do not exceed our capabilities. Therefore, even with unexpected purchases, we do not go beyond the budget. We do not plan it, but we look at the dynamics of our earnings and try to understand whether we have enough, say, to move to new apartment or not. In a couple of weeks we are just about to move into the new walls.
– In the “Through the Baby’s Mouth” program you help adults better understand their children. Do you always manage to find a common language with your own children?
– So far it’s working. I hope no unpleasant surprises await me. But these are people, and complex ones, albeit small ones. Although next to me is my 14-year-old son Arseny, it’s hard to call him small, he’s quite a mature person. Sometimes it's harder to understand. What helps me? My son gives me a hint: intuition.
– How does Aksinya’s upbringing differ from the upbringing of her brothers?
– Aksinya was born when I was already an adult (now Kortnev is 50 years old. – Note “Antennas”). She is the smallest, so we spoil her more. The only girl, of course, also gets more gingerbread. And, of course, when a girl realizes that she is a girl, she begins to hug more and show tenderness, but I can’t say that this allows her to get more things for herself. But she doesn’t have any big requests. Sometimes he will ask for a doll, but nothing more.
– Did you sing to children when they were little and what songs? Folk, from their repertoire or specially composed something. Are they currently interested in music?
- And this, and the other, and the third. And I’m glad that children now have a varied taste in music. Senka, let’s say, listens to rock from the 70s and 80s, despite the fact that I never forced him to listen to it, he came on his own. Electric Groups Light Orchestra, Queen, but at the same time is on his playlist and contemporary performers. My children have a penchant for music, not for composing it, but the taste is definitely there.
— Let’s start, perhaps, not with women. Tell us about your feelings before celebrating your anniversary...
Alexey Kortnev: I feel calmer than ever because I have delegated all the worries about preparing the holiday to others. Although this did not happen immediately. At first I was tense, worried, and came up with the concept of our show “Two for 50.” And in August, when Kamushok and I (that’s what Alexey calls Kamil. - TN note) were vacationing with the children in Bulgaria, I suddenly thought: “Why the hell bother? This is our holiday - let others do it.” And I felt so good!
Kamil Larin: I think we will still have to intervene in the process. In addition to the spectators, Lesha and my friends will come to the concert at the Crocus City Hall. I want everything to go well.
- Do you guarantee fun?
K.L.: Even if we want to make it sad, it will still turn out funny. I remember how, when I was a student, we tried to stage “Hamlet” and at the fifteenth minute we realized that it was a comedy show. We definitely won’t be sad. What's the point in sadness? Everything is fine! But about seven years ago I was in a completely different mood. I even decided to consult Lesha. I called him and said: “What’s happening to me? Why is my soul so heavy? Although there is work, soon New Year and in general everything is not bad.” - “Oh-oh-oh, Camille, I’ve caught up with you. This is a midlife crisis,” he replies. I ask: “What should I do? Maybe I should drink some vodka?” He says: “Everything is useless: this chemical process in the body - you just have to be patient.”
A.K.: It affects everyone differently: some at 40, some at 50. But no one manages to escape the midlife crisis.
I don’t understand why men suffer. The interest of the opposite sex in them does not fade away throughout their lives. It’s much more difficult for us women. Tell me, maybe it’s in vain that ladies are so upset about their age?
A.K.: We have entered into a complex, albeit interesting area. I am sure that there is only one recipe for women’s crises: to be married to a strong adult man older than years by ten or fifteen. In this case, the woman will be confident in herself. My wife now
40 years old. When she turns 50, I will be 60. Why should Musa (as Alexey calls his wife Amina Zaripova - TN note) suddenly worry about age if I am older and give her a complete feeling of security? We love each other, we have a strong family, children, home.
K.L.: In turn, a woman gives a man strength, which he is afraid of losing over the years. This known fact. Why do grown men suddenly go to fitness and start taking care of their health? That's why.
A.K.: Right. And if two poles - yin and yang, plus and minus, black and white, man and woman - are in harmony, a feeling of peace, balance, and comfort arises.
K.L.: And not that kind of peace when it’s good, I lie there and don’t want anything. But on the contrary: “I feel comfortable next to this woman, and I want to do something else for her and both of us.”
Kamil with his wife Ekaterina, Alexey with his wife Amina and daughter Aksinia. Photo: Arsen Memetov
So the most important thing is to choose the right person, and then there’s nothing to worry about?
K.L.: It is desirable, but it is not easy.
A.K.: For example, Kama and I searched and searched... (Alexei is on his third marriage, Kamil is on his second. - TN note.)
- Do your wishes for a woman adjust with age? Or does a man at 20 strive for the same things he did at 50?
A.K.: At the age of 20, young men first of all want sex, and only then a lot of other things.
K.L.: At 30 - varied sex.
A.K.: At 40, it’s completely diverse, because you don’t want it any other way. And now it would be nice, first of all, for her to make borscht... Sex or borscht? Yes, probably borscht, and then... we'll talk.
What do you immediately notice when you meet a woman? What needs to happen for you to want to meet her more than once or twice?
A.K.: For a woman to have prospects, she must be... our wife. Katya - in Kamil's case, and Amina - in mine. Nowadays, outside girls have little chance of becoming close to us. Compared to what it was fifteen to twenty years ago, there are practically none.
K.L.: Looking ahead, anticipating your next questions, I will note that a woman must necessarily give a man freedom,
do not invade his personal space, so that there is no such thing as: “Where are you going? What time will you arrive? You’re not at home again - the children don’t see their father!” As soon as we get freedom, we ourselves want to come home as soon as possible.
A.K.: And be with the children.
K.L.: Because there is no forbidden fruit! When you're not being held, you don't want to run away. That's it, it started. (Laughs.) It is also desirable that the woman be beautiful, attentive, and participate in her man’s life. And she didn’t answer the message that I had a successful performance today: “Did you buy chicken? Or have you forgotten again?!”
A humorous photo from the wedding of Kamil and Katya (2014). Photo: From the personal archive of Kamil Larin
You mentioned beauty. Is it important for you that a girl meets model standards? I would be long-legged, with thin waist, lush breasts...
A.K.: Appearance is definitely important. But breast size, dear women, is not of fundamental importance for us men. Each breast has its own charm. A woman can be beautiful of any size, but she must be well-groomed. Because it is a sign of self-respect. A woman who values herself highly is always interesting to men. No matter how generous or stingy her natural gifts may be, a girl can bring herself to a wonderful state. Or terrible.
The second important indicator is women's IQ. No matter how wonderful a girl is, the first two or three phrases, by and large, decide everything.
K.L.: And also a sense of humor! And here it is not so important that she herself can make a successful joke. The main thing is that she responds and reacts correctly to my jokes.
Women often complain about their men being lazy, drinking or earning little. But at the same time they tolerate them and try to re-educate them for years. Do you think this is real?
A.K.: I believe that it is unrealistic to re-educate a man. If there is something fundamentally unsatisfactory about your husband, you need to get a divorce. Or endure and not complain.
I have a feeling that people are born with a certain set of personality traits and behave in accordance with it until the day they die. No matter how much you raise a person, the basics are laid in him from the first minute of life. I judge by my children. Amina and I are amazed to notice that all three turned out to be completely different - with their own needs, characters, and interests. Moreover, they were born in absolutely identical conditions and from common parents who did not become poorer, richer, softer, tougher, smarter, or stupider during this time. I will answer your question this way: a woman can be happy with any man - childish, weak, and a drinker... if she needs one. After all, there are strong, self-sufficient, purposeful aunts who happily work to turn their chosen ones into princes.
K.L.: Right! And no other is needed, even if the lady says otherwise! She simply won’t get the puzzle together with men of a different type. I am amazed by women's complaints. It would seem that if you don’t like your husband’s low earnings or his reluctance to give flowers, find someone else. But no, he nags, reproaches, cites other men as examples, tries to change things... Why?!
A.K.: Because intuitively she understands: it is not a fact that she will feel better in the arms of another. She might even regret it!
K.L.: It seems to me that each of us has next to us the person he deserves.
A.K.: You can raise your husband, but only very slowly, gradually making adjustments. And then only on condition that he himself wants to re-educate. And if not, then nothing can be changed. I'll give you a personal example. Musya gets annoyed when, after I take a bath, there is water left on the floor. I personally don’t care, I don’t even notice. I wipe it lightly, and it starts up: “Ah-ah! The drops remain! She told me once, twice, ten - and she achieved her goal. Now, before I get out of the shower, I carefully look at my feet. And if I see a puddle, I just throw my robe.
K.L.: Hers, of course.
A.K.: Naturally! And I walk on it. But this is the maximum I can do.
Alexey: now strangers have little chance of interest in me or Kama. Not like 15-20 years ago... Photo: Arsen Memetov
Now, Alexey, single women will read your words and say: “Let them flood my entire bathroom, just so as not to be alone!” Why do you think there are so many single women in our country? And often beautiful, smart, wealthy...
A.K.: Did you say wealthy? Well, here is the answer to your question. This means that the aunt works well and hard. How much time and effort does she spend on her career? Modern girls Nowadays, from a young age, people are concerned about self-realization and success. Emancipation has moved like a tractor through all areas of life - family life in the first place. Ask the girls what they expect from the future. I think only every hundred will say: I want to get married. And 99 means that they dream of being successful. It would be good to combine this desire with the desire to become a happy wife and mother.
Alexey addresses his five-year-old daughter Aksinia:
Asya, do you want to get married?
Asya: Nope.
A.K.: And who do you want to be?
Asya: Hairdresser!
A.K.: Here you are. It seems to me that women are playing with emancipation. God knows whether this is good or bad. Oh, now I'm going to be accused of sexism! But women's success attracts attention in any case. For some men, it is in some sense an aphrodisiac. It scares others away.
- And you personally?
A.K.: I like women who have achieved a lot. Infantilism is not attractive. My wife is busier than me, she has achieved success in her profession, but at the same time she gave birth to three children!
K.L.: A person likes to look at three things: fire, water and how another works. In general, I like people who succeed in everything, who have an answer to any question. It feels so good to be around them, so cozy, great. And when I hear from a woman: “Oh, I don’t know how...” I think: “Damn, drag her on me, or what?”
- So a helpless woman is unattractive?
K.L.: In my opinion, no...
A.K.: A certain type of man likes a “woman-child” who needs to be held in his arms all the way.
K.L.: I want to clarify here. I don’t see anything wrong with a woman dissolving into a man: ironing his shirts, accompanying him to work, meeting him, giving birth to children. It’s good if she is comfortable being a wife and mother. But if he wants to do something, go ahead! I'm for it. The main thing is that it doesn’t compost my brains. A woman, in my opinion, should not work in order to bring in money. First of all, her purpose is family. The house should be warm and cozy, she should be an assistant to her man, a good mother to her children. What's wrong with that? When a woman goes into her profession headlong, then it’s worse... As a rule, the price for this is loneliness.
Alexey: men begin to value family after 45 years. Photo: Arsen Memetov
There aren't enough men for everyone. What do you think about the women's initiative? Maybe you should take the bull by the horns yourself - make dates, confess your love?
A.K.: I love women's initiative. All my beautiful wives - civil or official - were active and proactive. This showed their strength and confidence. And when women demonstrate inaccessibility, men are lost.
K.L.: We are rather put off when a woman covers herself up, pretending to be a queen. She sits there waiting and thinks: “Why don’t you bastards come over? I’m open!” But it seems to the man that this fortress cannot be taken - it is not worth trying.
Let's talk about other typical women's mistakes. It happens that the first meeting with a man turns out to be the last. He just doesn't call or write anymore. Open our eyes: why is this happening? What did the woman do wrong?
A.K.: Anything! For example, she left her cut nails in the sink and her hair on the comb.
K.L.: This means the wrong person is nearby. When you love, you don't pay attention to little things. Lord, hair, nails? Yes, I'll clean up after you. You are valuable to me to others!
- How can a woman understand that a man does not have serious intentions?
K.L.: So as not to waste time on it? If you have been dating for a year, spring, autumn, winter, summer have passed, and he is silent, does not offer anything new, then ask yourself and him the question: “What’s next?” If a man continues to dynamite, then it is wiser to say goodbye to him.
So, you can openly ask: “Are you going to marry me?”
K.L.: One way or another, this question will arise if a woman wants to get married. You can remain modestly silent and wait. But there is a possibility that he will end up marrying someone else. This, as a rule, is where it all ends.
A.K.: In general, I am in favor of talking to each other without concealment. I'm a fan of absolute openness. Here Muska and I, thank God, are discussing everything. It’s clear that over 15 years of marriage there were very serious disagreements, but we overcame them because we immediately started talking about the problem. Neither she nor I are capable of carrying resentment or even a simple misunderstanding of the situation. It’s terrible when a wife is silent and turns away. I never fell into the idiocy of response silence: “Oh, is that so?!” Well, I won’t say a word!” He didn’t start the Cold War on the principle of “who will split first.”
K.L.: You can even yell. Words will come out through emotions.
And if there was betrayal, are you for the truth or for lies?
A.K.: Addressing men who are at that age when they are not only capable of cheating, but when they are still interested in it, I want to say: “Be silent like a fish, not a single word until the last!” And even after the last one!” And in an idiotic situation, when your wife returned home at the wrong time, and there is a strange woman in the bedroom, repeat: “It’s not what you think!”
- What should a woman say when her husband returns home at the wrong time?
K.L.: But a woman simply shouldn’t cheat.
- And believe in men's nonsense! As you get older, do you understand women better?
K.L.: Usually I think that I know everything about life and that it is I who control the woman and pull the strings. It seems that I have experience, and have read various smart books about the fact that it is better to remain silent here, not to notice, to avoid conflict. But sometimes I suddenly notice that the puppet is me! They're playing with me! You end up sitting there like a fool...
A.K.:…snookered! And you think: what was that?
Kamil: 50 years is a definite milestone. But even if we want our anniversary to pass with a slight touch of sadness, in the end it will still turn out funny. And what is the point in sadness? Everything is fine! Photo: Arsen Memetov
- Does male fidelity exist in principle? Especially in marriages concluded due to youth?
A.K.: Of course not! What happens in the body young man? Until the age of 45, the brain repeats on a subconscious level: “Take as much as possible! You are a conqueror, you are Genghis Khan - you must crush everything around you!”
K.L.:“You are a male!”
A.K.: And after 45 years (for some a little earlier, for others a little later), a chemical change in the body begins. The cerebellum, pituitary gland and hypothalamus send other signals: “Here is your kingdom, your princess, princesses - hold it, don’t give it to anyone.” A man begins to value his family like never before. In general, a woman just needs to wait until her husband turns 45 - and that’s it, she will feel stone wall, you can relax.
A.K.: I regret only one thing: when I was very young and stupid and separated from my first wife, Ira Bogushevskaya, whom I adore to this day, I greatly traumatized both her and our son. When we got married, I was 21 years old, when we separated - 24. Than younger man, the more selfish and tough he is, as a rule. Only at the age of 20 can you say to your wife: “Sorry, honey, I’m not interested. It was probably a mistake to get married so early.”
- Maybe it really is a mistake?
A.K.: But you can submit it differently! So as not to hurt. They say that it is better to chop than to cut into pieces. But you can chop with a rusty ax on a stump, or you can chop with a scalpel in the operating room. I don't regret anything anymore.
K.L.: And I am a fatalist: everything that happens in life must happen, there is no other way. Nevertheless, I urge young men to be more attentive to those around them, especially to their parents, whom we foolishly do not spare.
What do you say to those wives who managed to go with their husbands “from soldier to general”, after which it became difficult to compete with the young and perky fans of their spouses? How to protect the family hearth?
A.K.: The main thing is to survive the time of crisis for men. Meet your husband in a warm home, with pies and smart speeches... Be his support, demonstrate interest and inclusion. But without intrusive attention and, God forbid, surveillance. Then the competitors are not scary. It seems that we have gracefully looped our conversation.