“ RMA Business School gave me new knowledge, gave me self-confidence, and opened up new horizons. RMA introduced me closely to the world of show business, here I made a lot of friends in this area, and I even managed to work with many of them. Now I periodically meet with some RMA students and teachers at events and concerts, and we always remember our time studying with warmth.”
On January 27, the “Element” concert of the vocal group “Kvatro” will take place at the House of Music. One of the soloists is a graduate of the faculty . On the eve of the concert, Danila answered several questions for our website.
Anton Boglevsky, Anton Sergeev, Leonid Ovrutsky, Danila Karzanov
Tell us about the “Element” program, does the announcement say that this is an absolute premiere?
Yes, this is truly an absolute premiere! To my memory, no Russian artist has ever done such a synthesis of songs and poems. I am sure that for the viewer it will be an incredibly exciting and educational journey, and it will be interesting to both the older generation and young people. The “Element” program is filled with works of great poets: the program contains many lyrical compositions, romances and the most beloved Soviet songs, there will also be poems by Yevgeny Yevtushenko, Sergei Yesenin, Afanasy Fet, Alexander Blok and other great ones, which we will read for our viewers.
How are preparations going for the concert?
Not long ago we had the premiere of the New Year’s program “Russian Winter”, which took place at Crocus City Hall. This is a big show staged by Victor Kramer with the participation of the best representatives of rhythmic gymnastics - students of Irina Viner. We approached the preparation of this show with all seriousness, which, it should be noted, went off with a bang. Then there were the New Year holidays - also, as you know, a busy time for an artist. In parallel with all this, we began to prepare for the show “Element”, selecting songs and poems. After the New Year's performances, we took a short time out, took a breath, and now resumed preparations with renewed vigor - daily multi-hour rehearsals. Everything is in the usual, favorite mode.
You started performing with the Quatro group in 2017, tell us how you started working together?
A year ago, I couldn’t even imagine that I would sing in the Quatro group; at that time I was the lead singer of another group. I had a creative crisis: I suddenly began to realize that I had stopped enjoying what I was doing, had lost its meaning... As a result, I had to leave the group and go free. I started writing songs and started thinking about a solo project.
After some time, the artistic director of the Quatro group, Leonid Ovrutsky, called me and offered to work with them; without thinking twice, I agreed. I have known the guys from Quatro for a long time, we studied at the same educational institution (Academy of Choral Arts named after A.V. Sveshnikov - RMA), perhaps that is why we “came together” so quickly. From the first rehearsal I felt at ease. Now, looking back and looking forward, I realize what my soul required and what I was going to all this time.
Tours in Russia, Israel and America are scheduled until May, how do you like this schedule?
Touring is a familiar way of life for me; I have been touring since I was 10 years old. But traveling with Quatro is a special pleasure: new venues, an unforgettable welcome, and the atmosphere in the team itself is very pleasant, friendly, and creative.
I love my job, I love the stage, I love this process.
Taking this opportunity, I’ll ask about RMA - what are your impressions of the training?
Every educational point in my life has helped me get to where I am today. The faculty gave me new knowledge, gave me self-confidence, and opened up new horizons. RMA introduced me closely to the world of show business, here I made a lot of friends in this area, and I even managed to work with many of them. Now I periodically meet with some RMA students and teachers at events and concerts, and we always remember our time studying with warmth.
Photo from official VKontakte pages
Anton Sergeev: The four of us graduated from the Sveshnikov Music College in choral conducting and vocals. Now it has been renamed the Popov Academy. Mostly graduates are choral conductors; there are a few singers, but they work in the opera genre. We are the first time that someone started doing pop music. This direction is close to us, but it is not pure pop music, it is “burdened down” with the baggage of the classics. (Laughs.)
How would you describe the style in which you sing?
A.S.: It’s difficult to say. They say that a person with education can do anything. We don’t push ourselves into limits - we sing opera and pop, and we can even record something for a club sometimes. I like to give classic arias a modern interpretation. We prefer not to push ourselves into certain limits.
Leonid Ostrutsky: I sang at Helikon Opera at the age of 19 and quickly realized that it was not for me. At the same time, I was engaged in conducting, and this was closer and more interesting to me. And in my opinion, the theater is in a deplorable state. I understood that I could not influence the situation in any way when theater soloists received the same amount for their work as an office cleaner. And this is the price for 15 years of hard work?
A.S.: We are a less serious people compared to opera performers. Our performances are accompanied by jokes.
L.O.: We remain children and continue to play as in childhood.
Best of the day
How do you differ from a classical ensemble, such as the Turetsky Choir?
L.O.: I have experience collaborating with the Turetsky Choir. The main difference is that a choir has a leader and no personalities; the choir is an instrument. In our ensemble you see four people, and everyone contributes, creates something. The choir is the result of the leader’s work. We sometimes perform a repertoire similar to the “Chorus” - famous arias, popular Soviet hits, but we are from a different generation, and we see them differently. This is neither good nor bad, it’s just different - some people like “Turetsky Choir”, and others like “Quatro”.
Are there bands similar to you abroad?
A.S.: It seems to me that the closest analogue is the English quartet El VIVO, but we are not one hundred percent similar. Their style, so to speak, is more “brutal” - they are happy to show off their voices. Their show is built on the beauty of the arrangement and voices, and we take it with emotions.
Do you perform your own songs?
A.S.: Leonid writes music. Recently, for the anniversary of Vladimir Dobronravov, Leonid wrote music based on his poems, and we performed it with pleasure. Dobronravov really liked it - he only asked to change the title from “I’m praying for you!” to “You are mine.”
There are four of you - is there a leader in the team?
A.S.: We didn’t specifically plan anything, everything happened by chance. In a team of four people it is difficult to distribute responsibilities. Basically, Leonid and I organize everything - we are active figures, and the guys trust us.
Would you like to participate in Eurovision next time?
A.S.: During the qualifying round, we took third place. At that time we were in a difficult situation - we were working with the previous producer and doing what we said. But it turned out that a few days before the performance we still didn’t have a song - we had to improvise.
L.O.: I composed a song. It is clear that venerable composers could have done something better. It’s a pity that we had to work in a hurry, we were on our nerves. We didn’t do one hundred percent what we could have done, but nevertheless we received great audience support and heard pleasant reviews. Participation in a competition is always an incentive for development. Eurovision is a special competition. If we had a song in the Eurovision format, we would gladly go.
What kind of music do you like to listen to?
L.O.: Since childhood, a lot of composers were “pushed” into us, but I fell in love and understood music later. I think the main thing is the mood. If I'm in a good mood, I can listen to the positive, sunny music of Stevie Wonder, and I think about what worries me, I'll put on Brahms' Fourth Symphony. After all, the range of musical genres allows you to reflect all feelings.
It's like a huge amount of colors - the larger your palette, the richer the image. I could never say: my favorite group is such and such.
A.S.: But in the car I usually monitor the market - I listen to “Russian Radio”, “Europe Plus” - this is work.
L.O.: By the way, for many people music is the background. We believe that we are listening to music when we hear a melody out of the corner of our ear while cleaning or cooking. It is difficult to convince the modern average person to sit down and listen to a four-minute composition - let alone a classical concert.
Who is your audience?
A.S.: These people are from thirty to sixty. This is also because of the repertoire - we perform a lot of old hits. But the presentation of the material is also more relatable to older people. We are often told: my mother adores you. It's nice.
L.O.: We also perform modern songs, but we choose old ones because people invested more serious emotions in them.
Why are there four of you in the team?
A.S.: This is the merit of our teacher at the academy. During ensemble singing classes, we gathered as an acapella group - tenor, high tenor, baritone and bass. The quartet, one might say, is the gold standard for a male ensemble.
How many Russian pop performers can boast of a large vocal range? And these four singers managed to combine three male timbres on one stage. And they are so organically intertwined with each other that during the performance of these guys it is impossible to understand who is singing in what voice! I'm talking now about an unusual classical quartet - group "Quattro".
The composition included four graduates of the Academy of Choral Arts named after A.V. Sveshnikova: high and sonorous tenor Anton Sergeev, gentle baritone Leonid Ovrutsky, magnificent bass Danila Karzanov and velvety tenor Anton Boglevsky. Previously, Denis Vertunov was also a member of the group, but last year he left it. Each of the participants makes their contribution to the performance of good old hits and songs of their own composition.
The quartet began its creative activity in 2003. But only in 2008 did the group gain real popularity. This happened thanks to their victory in Sochi at the “Five Stars” competition. Intervision." And Quatro received recognition from millions of Russians in 2009, when they entered the top three national selections for Eurovision 2009.
The team of professionals has been winning the hearts of the public for a long time. They give concerts not only in the world's megacities and cultural centers, but also in small towns in Russia, which certainly does them credit.
The group performed on the same stage with such legendary performers as Placido Domingo, Alessandro Safina and Dmitry Hvorostovsky. And in London, in the prestigious Royal Albert Hall of Arts and Sciences, they sang with Joseph Kobzon.
Many fans from all over the world appreciate the skill of the singers, their unique interpretation of songs based on the works of famous Russian composers such as Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, Borodin. The members of the team were wonderfully chosen by their voices. Their timbres and unique performance surprise connoisseurs of the classics. The quartet's repertoire consists of completely different styles - these include classics in modern adaptations, romances, hits of past years, and, of course, original songs.
I would like to especially mention one of them - “Chamomile Fields”. Everything about it is great - the combination of four “golden” voices of the performers, very kind and lively lyrics and a melody that sinks into the soul. These are the kinds of folk songs the Russian stage is so lacking today!
The quartet has a wonderful album “Songs of Victory”, which includes songs of the war years “Katyusha”, “Dark Night”, “Cranes”, “Song of War Correspondents”, etc. These compositions will certainly be remembered by listeners, because with them the quartet expresses feelings that cannot be expressed in words. Their performance excites and touches to the core.
I would also like to mention the album “Soviet Hits”. It contains songs that our parents and grandparents love. In the new performance you can hear such hits of past years as: “Moscow Windows”, “And love is like a dream”, “Give me back the music” and “There is only a moment”. The older generation will definitely not remain indifferent to such a gift from young people.
The quartet gained incredible popularity for this format thanks to new performances of old hits and their own works. Although the impeccable appearance - strict suits, bow ties, shoes polished to a shine - is also very impressive to the public! In addition, at each performance the group gives “gifts” to its fans: lyrical compositions on the piano or other interesting instruments, Italian arias that are known to many. All this makes the group not only special, but also quite popular among the current pop stars.
The KVATRO group was organized in 2003 by graduates of the Academy of Choral Art named after. A. V. Sveshnikova. The group included L. Ovruchky, A. Sergeev, A. Boglevsky and D. Vertunov. According to the official website of the agent of the KVATRO group, the performers perform exclusively live. Their excellent vocal abilities allow them to perform compositions of various types - from classics to modern styles. Their repertoire often includes Italian, Russian songs, works from films, as well as remakes of songs that were world hits at one time or another. If we generally characterize the genre in which the group works, then it will most likely be a pop-opera direction. In addition to world hits, the group also performs songs of its own. They are written by Leonid Ovrutsky, who is part of KVATRO.
The musicians began singing in the church choir and went on a mission to unite the Orthodox and Catholic churches. Thanks to this work, the musicians became recipients of the highest award in the Flaming Heart nomination. They got on the stage only later and are already performing at the best Moscow venues. Their first work on stage was participation in the show The Secret of Success. Then there were STS lights up a superstar, New Wave, Slavic Bazaar. KVATRO became the breakthrough of the year. But the group gained even greater fame after participating in the selection for the Eurovision music competition in 2009.
Now they are actively touring Russia and are favorite guests of various events and you can always invite KVATRO to an event or a holiday. They are especially loved at balls, including provincial and even presidential ones. Currently, the KVATRO group is working on its first album and holding a solo concert.
Kvatro- Moscow vocal group, created in 2003 by graduates of the Academy of Choral Art A.V. Sveshnikov.
Compound
- Leonid Igorevich Ovrutsky - baritone tenor (b. 08/08/1982, Moscow) Received conducting and vocal education. Before creating the group, he worked as an assistant to director Kirill Serebrennikov, and sang at the Helikon Opera Opera House for several years. He trained as a conductor in Vladimir Spivakov's orchestra and participated in the Mariinsky Theater's production of Giuseppe Verdi's Falstaff. He was awarded in the categories “Student’s Debut on the Professional Stage” and “Best Role in Musical Theatre.” Vocal" at the Moscow Debuts festival (2001-2003 season).
- Anton Vladimirovich Sergeev - tenor (b. 11/02/1983, Norilsk) Previously auditioned as a symphony conductor with Vladimir Spivakov.
- Anton Nikolaevich Boglevsky - tenor (b. 10/08/1983, Moscow) Conducted a choir while studying at the Academy of Choral Art.
- Denis Ivanovich Vertunov - baritone (b. 07/05/1977, Moscow) Before creating the group, he took part in five jazz a cappella groups."
History of the group
The group was created in 2003. All members of the group - Anton Sergeev, Anton Boglevsky, Leonid Ovrutsky and Denis Vertunov - graduated with honors from the Academy of Choral Art. A.V. Sveshnikova, studied vocals in Italy for several years and now continue to study at the graduate school of the Institute of Contemporary Art. They have established themselves as a group that sings exclusively live. The vocal capabilities of the group members allow them to perform works of various styles - from classics with modern interpretation to jazz and soul. KVATRO’s repertoire often includes Russian and Soviet, Italian songs, songs from films, as well as remakes of world hits. In general, the genre in which the artists work can be called “pop-opera” - pop arrangements are harmoniously combined with vocals and the accompaniment of a symphony orchestra. Leonid Ovrutsky, one of the four musicians, writes his own compositions for the group.
The team did not immediately hit the stage. For some time, young people sang in the church choir of the Sretensky Monastery, traveled a lot around the world with the mission of uniting the Catholic and Orthodox churches, performed at such major concert venues as the State Kremlin Palace, the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, KZ named after. P.I. Tchaikovsky, Library of the Conservatory named after. P. I. Tchaikovsky, MMDM, Rossiya State Concert Hall, Oktyabrsky Concert Hall, Mikhailovsky Theater, Festival Concert Hall, Lincoln Center (New York). And after a meeting with a representative of the management of Channel One, Yuri Aksyuta, the road to show business opened for the group.
On April 23, 2008, in Moscow, in the Hall of Church Councils of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, a solemn ceremony of presenting National Awards was held, established by the International Academy of Social Sciences and the International Academy of Patronage under the common motto “Creating in the name of Great Russia...”, and all four soloists became holders of the highest public awards in the “Flaming Heart” category.
"KVATRO" performs at leading concert venues in Moscow and other Russian cities. And the group’s first experience on the Russian professional stage was participation in the television competition “The Secret of Success,” where they received the support of Valery Meladze. Since then, the group has participated in many famous competitions and festivals. Among them are “Slavic Bazaar”, “STS lights up a superstar”, “New Wave”. KVATRO is also the winner of the ZD Awards 2008 in the Breakthrough of the Year category. But their main achievement is winning the “Five Stars” competition. Intervision”, where a competent jury awarded the group first prize, after which the group’s soloists received an offer to become the first artists produced by the new national label RussiaRecords, headed by Elena Kiper. She also became the director of the debut video for the song “I Love You,” which was filmed in Moscow on January 19, 2009.
The team won national recognition in the qualifying round of Eurovision 2009, entering the top three in the national selection and gaining 12% of the votes according to the results of the TV audience voting.
Young singers are frequent guests at events of the highest level; they have performed on the same stage with Placido Domingo, Dmitry Hvorostovsky, Alessandro Safina. The group is especially popular among the country's business elite and participates in presidential and gubernatorial balls.
The team is currently working on recording their first album, and they are also planning to hold their first solo concert.