Yuri Antonov, a celebrated Russian artist, recently opened up about the early days of his musical career, painting a vivid picture of a journey that began with reluctant piano lessons and blossomed into a legacy of sold-out concerts and timeless melodies. As he approaches his 80th birthday, Antonov’s reflections reveal a man whose passion for music was not always obvious, but whose talent was undeniable.
Antonov admits that as a child, he often dragged his feet to music school. “I’d much rather have been outside playing with friends,” he recalls with a chuckle. Yet, despite his initial lack of enthusiasm, something about the world of melodies and harmonies began to captivate him. It was during his time at music college that the spark truly ignited, and Antonov found himself drawn to the art form with an intensity that would shape his future.
“I decided to form a small ensemble,” Antonov shares. “We had an accordion, a clarinet, drums, and a guitar. We didn’t sing ourselves, but we accompanied some lovely young ladies who did.” He fondly remembers his father’s Hohner accordion, a wartime souvenir from Germany, which became a cornerstone of his early performances. “That instrument was my first real connection to music,” he says.
Antonov’s debut performance took place in 1964 at the Belarusian State Philharmonic. That same year, he embarked on his first tour to Novosibirsk, marking the beginning of a career that would see him perform in front of thousands. One of his most remarkable achievements was a series of 28 concerts in just 15 days at the Olympic Center in Leningrad. “The venue held about 14,000 people,” he recalls. “We had no fancy equipment—just homemade guitar amplifiers. But the audience loved us. The applause was overwhelming.”
Today, Yuri Antonov stands as a testament to the power of perseverance and passion. His story is not just one of talent, but of a man who found his calling in the most unexpected of places. As he looks back on his career, Antonov’s words carry a sense of wonder: “I still can’t believe how far we’ve come.”
