''Valery Khalilov was a big, real conductor''
Chief conductor of the Tatarstan National Symphony Orchestra was a disciple of the lost artistic director of the ensemble named after Aleksandrov
When the tragic news of the death in the plane crash over the sea near Sochi of musicians of the academic song and dance ensemble of the Russian army named after A. Aleksandrov appeared, chief conductor and artistic director of the Tatarstan National Symphony Orchestra Aleksander Sladkovsky posted on his page in Facebook a photo. On it, he and Valery Khalilov, artistic director of the Alexandrov ensemble. The story of his acquaintance with the chief military conductor of the country, the Maestro told Realnoe Vremya.
''The photo was taken two years ago''
According to Aleksander Sladkovsky, this photo was taken two years ago in Moscow in Khamovnichesky barracks. It was headquarters of Khalilov. That time, Sladkovsky was preparing to his 50-year anniversary. One of the Tatarstan TV channels was shooting a film about him. This film, which was shown on the anniversary in Saydashev Great Concert Hall, has frames with Valery Khalilov.
''I have known Valery Mikhailovich since 1983, he taught us at the Moscow Conservatory orchestra. He was a wonderful teacher, demanding but fair. Then we always stayed in touch, and when the film was preparing, Valery Mikhailovich and I were asked to take part in it,'' says Aleksandr Sladkovsky.
About Valery Khalilov one can say that he had an extraordinary personality. For example, in St. Petersburg, he has an opportunity to learn from a brilliant conductor and teacher Ilya Musin. Among the students of Musin are Valery Gergiev and principal conductor of Tatar State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre named after Musa Jalil Renat Salavatov. Musin school of conducting is a special mark of quality.
''Valery Khalilov was a real, big conductor,'' says Aleksandr Sladkovsky. By the way, having a creative intuition, Valery Khalilov was not wrong about the future of his disciple. ''He once told me, ''My dear, you will have great future,'' says Aleksandr Sladkovsky.
''I have known Valery Mikhailovich since 1983, he taught us at the Moscow Conservatory orchestra. He was a wonderful teacher, demanding but fair.'' Photo: instagram.com/alexandersladkovsky
Chief military conductor of the country
Valery Khalilov was not only a conductor, chief military conductor, but also a composer, a member of Composers Union of the Russian Federation. By the way, he started to compose music when he was 4 years old. His family contributed to this, he was born in Termez, in the family of a military conductor. Aged 11, he entered the military music school, then the Moscow Conservatory, the department of military conductors.
He conducted the orchestra, taught at the Conservatoire, for many years he was the head of the military orchestra service of the Russian Federation, chief military conductor of Russia. Many of us have seen his slender, white gloves, at the Victory parade on Red Square, when Valery Khalilov conducted a combined military band. In April of this year Khalilov was appointed chief artistic director of the academic song and dance ensemble of the Russian army named after A. Aleksandrov.
People's artist of Russia, Lieutenant General Valery Khalilov was the artistic director of many festivals of military bands. One of them — ''Amur waves'' in Khabarovsk. It has been named after him. Military Music College in Moscow will also be named after Valery Khalilov.
He died a few hours before the concert that was to be held in Khmeimim airbase in Syria. The artists flew to congratulate our compatriots happy New year, to bring them a piece of home. 64 artists of the ensemble named after A. Aleksandrov, choir, orchestra, dancers. And their conductor Valery Khalilov.
By the way, on the question whether he flew, if needed, to the same trip, Aleksander Sladkovsky, without hesitation, replied in the affirmative.