The Music of Pyotr Leshchenko

Born in present-day Odessa, Ukraine, Pyotr Leshchenko (1898–1954) emerged as one of the most iconic and beloved performers of the early 20th century. Known as the "King of Russian Tango," Leshchenko captivated audiences throughout the 1920s and 1930s with his deeply emotive voice, masterful phrasing, and magnetic stage presence. His artistry represented a unique fusion of Russian romance, urban chanson, folk traditions, and the cosmopolitan charm of tango and foxtrot, creating a sound that resonated far beyond his homeland.

Leshchenko’s career flourished across Europe and the Middle East, with celebrated performances in cities such as Riga, Istanbul, Beirut, and Athens. His music offered solace and joy during a time marked by war, exile, and political upheaval. Yet, despite his popularity abroad, Leshchenko was banned from performing in the Soviet Union, where his work was deemed ideologically bourgeois. In defiance of this censorship, his recordings were smuggled behind the Iron Curtain on ingenious contraband formats—often etched onto discarded x-ray film, earning the nickname "music on the bones." These ghostly records passed hand to hand, a testament to the enduring power of his voice.

Leshchenko’s songs—rich with longing, passion, and melancholy—struck a deep chord with listeners across generations and borders. His legacy endures in the canon of Russian chanson and Eastern European popular music, where he is revered not only for his vocal brilliance but for his profound ability to articulate the emotional landscape of a displaced and yearning people.

Presented by The Tango Sextet & Friends, this concert is a tribute to this extraordinary artist. We proudly premiere new arrangements of Leshchenko’s most beloved tangos and foxtrots, breathing fresh life into a repertoire that once filled dance halls and radio waves a century ago. By reimagining these songs for a modern audience, we honour the spirit of a musician whose voice refused to be silenced—and whose music continues to transcend the boundaries of language, geography, and time.

Presented in English, sung in Russian with Russian and English Subtitles.