Ilia Reznik Poet, songwriter Date of Birth: 04.04.1938 Country: Russia

Biography of Ilya Reznik

Ilya Rahmielovich Reznik is a Russian poet-songwriter and People's Artist of Russia. He was born on April 4, 1938 in Leningrad. Reznik is a Meritorious Artist of the Russian Federation, a recipient of the Order of Honor, a member of the Board of Directors of the ORT television channel, an active member of the Academy of Social Sciences, and a member of the Public Council on the Rights of the Child led by the spouse of the President of Russia, L.A. Putin. In 1998, a star plaque was laid in his honor at the Star Square near the Central Concert Hall "Russia" for his outstanding contribution to Russian culture. In addition, the American Astronomical Society "International Star Registry" named a star in the constellation Orion after him.

Reznik's childhood was marked by the blockade of Leningrad during World War II. He was evacuated to the Urals through Lake Ladoga's Road of Life, and his father passed away from injuries in a hospital. After returning from evacuation, his mother remarried and moved to Riga, leaving Reznik behind. He was adopted by his father's elderly adoptive parents, who were essentially strangers but very kind people. Later, his grandfather, who was a skilled shoemaker and the main breadwinner for the family, also passed away. Despite a difficult and impoverished childhood and youth, Reznik never let go of his dream of becoming involved in theater. With the support of Irakliy Andronikov, he enrolled in the Leningrad State Institute of Theatre, Music, and Cinema in 1957.

From 1965, Reznik worked in the V.F. Komissarzhevskaya Theater troupe, taking on roles both big and small. During his student years and early years in the theater, he constantly worked on his words, writing songs for student and theater productions, creating refrains, and participating in theatrical festivities. This period was a constant search for himself, and he often felt unsatisfied with his accomplishments. Then came the song "Cinderella" - his first song. It spread throughout the country and brought the poet nationwide popularity, shaping his future path. In 1972, feeling his strength, calling, and demand, Ilya Reznik left the theater and began professionally working on poetic songs.

Reznik's collaboration with Alla Pugacheva stands out in his creative biography. It started in 1979 and continues to this day. In 1980, the poet wrote songs for Pugacheva's author's program "Monologues of a Singer," which brought her tremendous popularity. Reznik was also the scriptwriter for the film "She Came and Said" (1984), in which Pugacheva played the lead role.

Step by step, year after year, Reznik rose to the heights of mastery and popularity. There is hardly a serious performer in the Russian pop music industry who does not have songs based on Reznik's lyrics in their repertoire. His creativity represents an entire era of songs from the end of the 20th century. Some of his most famous hits include "Cinderella," "Apple Trees in Blossom," "Maestro," "It's Not Evening Yet," "Antique Clocks," "Summer of Stars," "Little Crane," "Charlie," "Edith Piaf," "Verooka," "Without Me, My Beloved...," "Return," "Convertible," "Karlson," "Grandma Next to Grandpa," "Serve Russia," "Anxious Waltz," and "My Army."

Reznik's songwriting received well-deserved recognition not only in Russia but also internationally. This is evidenced by his numerous awards, including the "Bronze Lyre" award (1977) for the song "Sing, Earth" performed by A. Troitsky, the "Golden Lyre" award (1986) for the song "Vernissage" performed by L. Vaykule, the Grand Prix at the "Orpheus" international competition (1990) for the song "Edith Piaf" performed by T. Gverdtsiteli, the National Russian Music Award "Ovation" (1995), the R. Rozhdestvensky Literary Award (1996) for achievements in song poetry, and the Russian television award "Golden Star" in California (1996). Reznik has also won the television competition "Song of the Year" 22 times.

In addition to his songs, Reznik has written numerous poems, several screenplays, and plays. His opera-mystery "Black Bridle on a White Mare," with music and direction by Yu. Sherling, premiered at the Moscow Film Actor Theater in 1978. He wrote the screenplay "Olympic Moscow" for the Leningrad Music Hall in 1980, directed by I. Rakhlin. In 2001, the musical fairy tale "Little Country" premiered at the Great Sports Arena of the Luzhniki Sports Palace.

In 1991, Reznik founded his own theater, with the premiere of the musical performance "Game of Rasputin, or Nostalgia for Russia" at the Central Concert Hall "Russia." From 1992 to 1994, the Ilya Reznik Theater successfully toured in the United States. Reznik's author's Vernissages on the stage of the Central Concert Hall "Russia" have become a tradition in Russia.

Reznik's literary career also includes writing books for children. His first book, "Tyapa Doesn't Want to Be a Clown," was published in Riga in 1969. His poems and fairy tales, funny fables, and instructive stories are rhythmically musical and filled with gentle humor, love, and tenderness for young readers. In recent years, he has published five books in the "Cuckoo" series, as well as "Restless by the Name of Luka," "King Arthur," "Why Are Golden Clouds in the Blue Sky?," the collection of poems and fairy tales "Here It Is!," and more.

Reznik's contribution to Russian culture and literature has been recognized with awards and honors throughout his career. On April 4, 2018, Ilya Reznik celebrated his 80th birthday. Prior to this milestone, a special concert titled "Anniversary Vernissage" was held on March 20, 2018, featuring performances by Alla Pugacheva, Laima Vaykule, Tamara Gverdtsiteli, the Ilya Reznik Children's Music Theater, and other artists and musical groups. On his birthday, the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, congratulated the jubilarian. A documentary film about the poet titled "Year after Year I Wander the Earth..." was also released in the same month.