Mikhail Chekhov Riga Russian Theatre

Vladimir Vysotsky (1938-1980) is one of those authors, who are usually called cult-favourite. But this definition, categorically, does not suit him: it's too pompous, too fanciful, too pretentious for his poetry, music, and worldview.

Rodion Kuzmin admits that he truly fell in love with Vysotsky's work during his student years. At that time, he created a jazz interpretation of some songs, but performed these works mainly among friends. However, the time has come to share those with a wider audience, especially since Vysotsky himself once wrote, "I really hope, when I compose my songs, that they will reach my listener". It is impossible to repeat Vysotsky, it is pointless to imitate him, but to enter into a dialogue, to let it pass through yourself and to exhale in your own rhythm is creatively and humanly honest.

Why is Vysotsky relevant today? Rodion says, "Because even today we talk about pain and lack of freedom, about injustice, about people, who are on the edge, just like Vysotsky did in his songs. And this contradicts what we were taught and what we believed in as children. That is why the title of the concert was chosen after the title of the song "Everything is Awry". Some of Vysotsky's lyrics sound like fulfilled predictions, this proves that poets are able to foresee events many years in advance".