On February 1, People’s Artist of the RSFSR Lev Leshchenko celebrated his birthday, who became the performer of the unofficial anthem of the capital’s subway “All Hope is on the Metro.” The singer told a correspondent of our newspaper about his attitude to the metro, his favorite stations and heroes of modern times.
– You sang the song “All Hope is on the Metro.” How was this project born?
– When the music and lyrics were prepared, they had to be arranged. Here I made a contribution - I offered my version of adaptation of this work. Soon the project was approved. The song premiered in the subway. We performed it twice, the third time the choir sang. It has already become somewhat established as an anthem. Previously, we wrote songs about metallurgists, motorists, and builders. I have performed these myself more than once. And now there is crazy glitz and glamor all around. There are no songs of gratitude to ordinary people among them. It's horrible. That's why I sang this song with pleasure. If it takes some place in the circle of musical works about professions, then it will be great. I will be proud and happy.
– Today the metro unites people or, on the contrary, pushes them away from each other?
– I will say this, the metro unites people, but spontaneously. For example, when they go down to the stations and observe the beauty of the architecture. The metro is the pride of our fatherland. Our subway is the best, this is not even discussed. I've been to many cities and countries, I know what I'm talking about. In addition, the metro is the main landmark for the meeting. People very often make dates in the center of the hall, near the first or last car. I did that too.
– Do you like the “Music in the Subway” project?
– Very much! Talented kids perform in the metro, and the project helps them practice. And it also lifts the mood of passengers. Performing in the subway is a very unusual art form. I would not prohibit this and am very glad that the capital’s Government launched “Music in the Metro” and continues to actively support and develop it.
– Do you have a favorite station?
– I have many favorite stations. Of the old ones, I think Komsomolskaya is the most beautiful. I also like Elektrozavodskaya and Mayakovskaya. The latter is completely connected with various legends and, of course, with wartime. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen any new stations.
– Who do you think can be called a hero today?
– In our time, heroes are people of labor. They create benefits, provide the opportunity to live in abundance and prosperity in the world.