CHARLES AZNAVOUR

"The only art, which I admit - folk art," - said Charles Aznavour. These words could be perceived as a nice phrase, which many pronounce in an interview with the popular pop stars. But in his mouth, they have a deep sense of: Aznavour not just talking about this, he seeks to create art and himself as a simple, natural, direct, as the people. In this, perhaps, is the main secret of his success.

Bertrand dipotassium wrote in 1997:

"Imagine a column height of 80 centimeters and weighing 8 kg. That′s what a stack of 30 CDs with recordings of Charles Aznavour. Twenty-six of them, starting with "Jezebel" and ending with his last album, "Toi et moi" ( "You and I"), came out earlier, and four saw the light for the first time, adding "the complete works of" Artist: re-records "Eire" , ( "Being"), the recording of the concert in 1978 in Olympia, joint song Roche and Aznavour 40-ies, and, finally, a lengthy interview with Aden Pulanzhem from the channel "France-Inter. " But that′s not all. Aznavour is preparing to release new compilation of his "Golden Song", a CD with Christmas songs and a double CD recording of a solo concert at Carnegie Hall in New York. "

Charles Aznavour (real name Chanur Varenag Aznauryan) was born May 22, 1924 in a family of emigrants from Armenia. Varenag grew up in a family of actors. My father was quite famous baritone in opera, his mother acted in small theatrical troupe, and his son was born to go in their footsteps. Indeed, as early as nine years, the future singer with her sister first appeared on the amateur scene, immediately showed great talent.

Later the young man appeared on the stage musical comedy, filmed in the cinema, attended drama school, tried to speak in Parisian cafes and music halls, but without success. His long noticed that low Armenian teenager, from complexes in life and on stage because of the nose aquiline and puny constitution.

During the war years Aznavour in occupied France had to earn sell used bikes, then small roles in theaters. For months he wandered around the French countryside, speaking in a duet with another kupletistom P. Roche. Friends composed and performed many songs, is rapidly gaining popularity.

By the mid 40-ies, Charles Aznavour has already earned a reputation as a composer and poet. Then he met Edith Piaf, have a major influence on his later life. Remembers Piaf′s friend Simone Berto:

"Before she could talk to him, and ten minutes, as unashamedly said:

- Listen, with your nose can not climb on the stage. It has to be changed.

- What is it you - the wheel of the car? I have no spare wheel.

Photo — «Charles Aznavour»

- Come with me to America, I′m there to make another!

Stand before the trip about six months. Charles did not believe his ears. I, too, despite the fact that we have already "passed". She just met him and had talked about going to America!

"We need to look closely to him - I said to myself, - perhaps there′s something in it. At first glance it is not suitable to measure the men who liked Edith, and his eyes were not blue. Then what? . . I knew it immediately.

- Listen, here you write songs. The one that you sang, "Paris in May," really yours? You have talent.

That′s it! She unyuhala that he can write to her . . .

. . . One evening, on his return to Paris, Charles was solemnly in a new black suit. He thought that looks great and was very pleased. Edith poured his tub of cold water:

- Under my work?

- But, Edith . . .

- Shut up. The same suit I ordered Eddie. As I will appear between you two? Both dressed in black like a funeral! Come back and change your clothes.

And he did.

Of course, she did not order a costume for Eddie. But she felt that the black Charles becomes something similar to it, and that she could not prevent. As a singer he was irritated by her. Style Piaf′s good for me. For men it is no good! "

Edith was not right. Charles never in no way imitated her. All whom she has created, from Montana to Sarap, could find gestures, intonations of "a la Piaf. But not Charles. And yet, in fact, he was closer to it than all the rest. Therefore, it is climbing on the wall. She knew that after that only one person will be able to shake the common people, take them to heart, twisting his soul, as she can. This - Aznavour . . . "

Yes, Piaf was able to appreciate not only the gift of composer Charles Aznavour, but his artistic potential. And it is not easy to do: after all, at first glance, it has no reason to compete with the masters of the stage: a small voice, ugly appearance. However, including the performance Aznavour in its program, Piaf was not mistaken. True, at first the audience sometimes even laughed at him, but over the years of mistrust ice was broken.

The first big success came Aznavour in 1953 during a tour in Morocco. Two years later, he debuted in the famous Parisian hall "Olympia". And suddenly it all with amazement discovered that the singer Aznavour and actor best able to interpret Aznavour - poet and composer.

Since then, Charles Aznavour on stage. And while his songs, because of its specificity, especially a lot of lost without translation, the students from different countries come to love the French actor of sincerity, simplicity, intimate charm.

Photo — «Charles Aznavour»

For that, leaving the stage, he did not erect an invisible barrier between themselves and the visual series, but as it merges with the public. There is so because he sings about simple, comprehensible to all things - friendship, love, loneliness and joy of human intercourse, of Paris, which is related to him so many joyful and sad memories. Creative manner Aznavour very original. The style of his songs made up of different elements: they can catch and features of the French chanson, and the rhythms of jazz and oriental melodic turns, and finally, specific techniques melodeklamatsii. But all that he knows how to merge into a single unit, making each song in the musical-dramatic perfected thumbnail.

Over the shoulders at Aznavour′s creative work for many decades, hundreds of songs, many of which became pop classics, and his pen belongs to a musical "Monsieur Carnaval", successfully walking in Paris, the music for the movie "Milk Soup," "The Island at the edge light "," vicious circle ", etc.

Talent Aznavour appreciated the Soviet audience during his tour in this country in 1964. Since then, the creative look Aznavour not changed. Whatever he did, he sought above all to remain true to himself, his style, because he knows what the audience loves it. That is why any quirks mode evade his side.

"I stand in America, Spain or England, not in order to impress someone, - said Aznavour. - Maybe I surprise myself. On the contrary, it seems strange when a man goes to New York in company with a pair of journalists, then returned and publish in any journal article in four pages about how he conquered America. If I′m going to New York, I′m going there to work. And do they know about the other, I was not interested. When the song "She" became a hit in England number one, but I did not run in the newspaper with a cry: "Do you not know that I have achieved success abroad?"

I had not yet satiated by anything in his life. Moreover, the recognition has nothing to do with the glory - the glory I do not care, because you can be famous, but did not achieve recognition. Conversely, I am pleased recognition that I deserved what did - unless an actor can be through this? Let′s be frank. We go on stage just because there are people in the hall. We write songs to become popular, and not gathered dust in a drawer. "

Aznavour won recognition as an actor. In the cinema he came, already a star of the Parisian music hall. In 1959 he played a role in the film by Georges Franju "head against the wall, where he created the image of the defenseless and a good man, whose hard-heartedness of others driven to suicide.

Photo — «Charles Aznavour»

The best role of Aznavour′s very far from glory to his pop songs: piano cabaret in an ironic detective Francois Truffaut ′Shoot the Piano Player "(1960), a short tragic role in the film" The Devil and the Ten Commandments "(1962) Julien Duvivier.

In the 60-80-ies actor starred in the tape "American Rat" (1963), "The Tin Drum" (1979), "Hatter′s Ghosts" (1982), "Edith and Marcel" (1983), as well as in many commercial films and serials.

Interesting memories nephew of the singer Z. Aznauryan to better learn Aznavour-man:

"In 1968, Charles invited to visit my grandmother, the actress Leninakan Theater People′s Artist of Armenia Arus Aznauryan. Three months grandmother lived in the house of his brother, father Charles - Mamikon Aznauryan . . .

Charles often invited his grandmother to his home. They have long sat in his winter garden with a swimming pool. Charles liked to sit in his favorite chair, loaded with dozens of joints, through which people could take any, the most intricate position. He ate little, but only delicacies. Each room of his apartment has been styled as a particular era - from the XVI century to the ultramodern. Grandmother told that Charles but his favorite pool, exercise on a special technique, but nobody has ever managed to be that witness.

He is sensitive, even delicate relations with people. Do not allow yourself to hurt people, hurt his dignity. And seriously experiencing betrayal. Several years ago he was forced to part with his employee, who was something of a business manager. Charles believed his friend, shared secret, warmth towards him. But this man, as it later became clear, long flirted with major financial fraud with money Aznavour. When this was revealed, the Charles were big trouble with the Internal Revenue Service. This case is so shaken by my uncle, that he was ill, and then left France for a long time. "I am burning with shame," - he said dejectedly. "

Aznavour has never forgotten their historical homeland. Just a few days after the terrible earthquake in 1988, he arrived in Armenia. Aznavour has helped the victims and then the money, and many necessary items - clothing, food, medicines. And today he is actively involved in charity work in favor of Armenia, as the country′s ambassador to UNESCO.

"I just live a normal way, - says the singer. - Of course, you never know in advance. Get older, people are sometimes attracted to the most unexpected things . . . I am old enough to recognize in this report, but not old enough to tell you about it . . . "