Aleksandr Gradskiy, a renowned figure in the Russian cultural landscape, holds the prestigious title of People's Artist of the Russian Federation, bestowed upon him in 1999.
His illustrious journey in the world of music began with his graduation from the esteemed Gnessin's Class on vocals in 1974, followed by his studies at the Moscow Conservatoire in the composition class under the tutelage of T. Khrennikov from 1975 to 1976.
As a multifaceted artist, Gradskiy has worn many hats - singer, composer, poet, and guitarist. His creative endeavors have been marked by numerous milestones, including the founding of the rock band Skomorokhi in 1966. In the early 1970s, he created a series of compositions inspired by the verses of Burns and Shakespeare, as well as a musical encyclopedia of rock styles.
Gradskiy's impressive repertoire includes the first Soviet rock opera, "Stadium," which premiered in 1973 as a tribute to the memory of Victor Hara. He also composed the music for the first domestic rock ballet, "Man," based on the novel by R. Kipling.
Since 1988, Gradskiy has served as the Director of the Moscow Theater and Concert Music Association, overseeing various productions and projects. His extensive discography includes albums such as "Romance of the Lovers" (1974),"Russian Songs" (1980),"The Fool's Thoughts," "Utopia A.G." (1988),"Nostalgia," "Monte Cristo," "Expedition" (1990),"Untimely Songs" (1993),and "Fruits from the Cemetery" (1994),among others.
In addition to his work in music, Gradskiy has also demonstrated his versatility by performing parts in classical operas, such as the role of the Stargazer in Rimsky-Korsakov's "The Golden Cockerel" at the Bolshoi Theater. He has also directed the documentary "Anti-perestroika blues" (1991) and composed music for various gaming, documentary, and animation films.
