Valery Kovtun is a famous Russian virtuoso accordionist 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 developed a love for music in early childhood. Already at the age of six, he dreamed of having a button accordion.
His family was not rich, his parents could not allocate funds from the family budget to buy an expensive musical instrument for their son. Little Valera had to stand idle for hours in a shop where 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 a music school. At the same time, he accompanied the choir and dance club in the club of the local shipyard.
After college, Kovtun went to serve in the army. There they immediately noted his talent and sent him to a military brass band. He served in Nikolaev. After the army, he stayed in this city, where he began to work in the Philharmonic.
Career
Soon Valery was noticed by the famous dancer Makhmud Esambaev, who by that time was already a People's Artist of the USSR. After working in his team for several years, Kovtun went to the 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", "Dance with Sabers", "Sirtaki", "Besame Mucho", "Spray of Champagne". The collective toured extensively throughout the Soviet Union, participated in television programs and concerts on a national scale.
Valery Kovtun also composed many compositions. So, on account of his writing music for the famous musical "Doctor Zhivago". Kovtun toured almost the whole world. He also took part in popular TV shows in Poland and Germany. In the 90s, Valery was the host of the program "Stars of the Accordion", which aired on the radio "Mayak".
In 1996, Kovtun became People's Artist of Russia, and in 2007 he received the Order of Friendship of Peoples. He has rightfully earned the unofficial title of "Golden Accordion of Russia". Valery is very emotional about everything that he plays on his instrument. The manner of his playing is used in teaching aids for music schools and colleges.
Personal life
Valery Kovtun in interviews liked to talk about music. But he tried to avoid questions about his personal life. It is known that he was not married. There is also no information about children. In the last years of his life, Kovtun lived in Moscow alone. He died on February 19, 2017. His grave is located at the Troyekurovsky cemetery in the capital.
