Valery Kovtun is a famous Russian accordionist virtuoso and composer. At one time, he successfully toured not only in the cities of his native country, but also far beyond its borders. Kovtun treated the accordion as a living being, and he really began to live in his hands.
Biography: early years
Valery Andreevich Kovtun was born on October 10, 1942 in Kerch. In this Crimean city he lived until he came of age. Valery had a love of music in early childhood. Already at the age of six, he dreamed of having a button accordion.
His family was not rich, parents could not allocate funds from the family budget for the purchase of an expensive musical instrument for his son. Little Valera was left idle for hours in a store where button accordions were sold. Soon, his parents still saved up money and made him happy with the purchase of a coveted instrument, and also enrolled in a music school.
After graduation, Valery continued his studies at the music school. In parallel, he accompanied the choir and dance mug in the club of the local shipyard.
After school, Kovtun went to serve in the army. His talent was immediately noted there and sent to a military brass band. He served in Nikolaev. After the army, he remained in this city, where he began to work in the Philharmonic.
Career
Soon Valeria was noticed by the famous dancer Mahmud Esambaev, who by that time was already a people's artist of the USSR. After working in his team for several years, Kovtun turned to singer Yuri Bogatikov, who was on the crest of popularity.
In 1980, Valery organized his own instrumental quartet. His repertoire included arrangements of such popular compositions as Ave Maria, Burnt Sun, Saber Dance, Sirtaki, Besame Mucho, Spray of Champagne. The team toured extensively throughout the Soviet Union, participated in television programs and concerts on a national scale.
Valery Kovtun also composed many compositions. So, on his account, writing music for the famous musical "Doctor Zhivago." Kovtun toured almost the whole world on tour. He also took part in popular television shows in Poland and Germany. In the 90s, Valery was the host of the Stars of the Accordion program, which aired on Mayak radio.
In 1996, Kovtun became a People’s Artist of Russia, and in 2007 received the Order of Friendship of Peoples. He rightfully earned the unspoken title of the Golden Accordion of Russia. Valery is very emotionally worried about everything that he plays on his instrument. His playing style is used in textbooks for music schools and colleges.
