Lyudmila Poryvay revealed the secrets of her sons-in-law

Biography

Igor Nikolaev is loved by millions of listeners. Performers who choose his songs become stars. The author of the hits is appreciated by his colleagues, calling him the pride of Russia, like Larisa Dolina, a unique phenomenon in art, like Alla Pugacheva, and simply a genius, according to Philip Kirkorov.

Singer and composer Igor Nikolaev

The composer's life is devoted to music; it reflects his thoughts, experiences and contrasts.

Igor Nikolaev spoke about the most iconic songs in his life

The artist remembered his last year’s trip to his native Kholmsk. “There’s a warmth there that doesn’t exist anywhere else. The feeling of your street, the river in which you fished as a child, the smell is incomparable. I have smelled all sorts of seas and oceans in my life. But Kholmsk has a special smell of the sea.” So that his fellow countrymen would not be sad, Igor Nikolaev, together with the poet Alexander Vulykh, wrote a new song “Under the Sakhalin Sky.” The song became a hit on Sakhalin Island. This work, in contrast to the previously written song “A Man in Love with Sakhalin,” is distinguished by light and joy.

Igor Nikolaev spoke about the most iconic songs in his life: “Each of the first songs turned my life upside down. “Iceberg” was one of the first to be published in the magazine “Krugozor” under the heading “According to requests from listeners.” “12 Days”, performed by Sasha Abdulov, was also published in Krugozor and became iconic. “Let Them Talk” is the debut song of Kristina Orbakaite, performed by her at the age of 14. With her, Christina began as a singer. The first EP, where “Iceberg” and “Tell Me, Birds” were released, also belongs to the iconic category. Oddly enough, both of these songs were never released on any of Pugacheva’s albums, only in collections. The big giant record “Happiness in Your Personal Life,” which contained “One Hundred Friends,” “Two Stars,” and “The Ferryman,” also became fateful.”

When creating songs, the People's Artist pays attention to the text; it must coincide with the “genetic code of the people.” If you can find this moment, the song will live for decades. At the same time, simplicity is also important. Thanks to the songs “Birthday” and “Stranger,” where a person’s story is told in simple words, Igor Nikolaev reached the top of the charts. In this case, as a performer, and not as a composer.

If you are used to thinking of Igor Nikolaev as an artist who sings only about love, it is worth remembering the songs “Afghan Wind” based on the poems of Nikolai Zinoviev and “Tell me, birds.” In 1983, “Tell Me, Birds” was performed by Alla Pugacheva, later by Batyrkhan Shukenov and Dima Bilan. This song has a social theme. Each time it sounds new, without losing its relevance.

Igor Nikolaev admitted that he is inspired not by the climate, not by the landscape outside the window, but by the “comfort within the family”: “What is important to me is not the ocean, sea or other body of water, but that the family is happy.”

On January 17, Igor Nikolaev turned 60 years old. The artist will celebrate his anniversary with a concert, which will take place on November 11. “The concert will feature 20 of the best songs, made in new arrangements, plus 8-10 completely new songs. To prove, first of all, to myself that I can still do this. They should sound modern and uncompromising, without making any allowance for the fact that I’m 60. And ticket sales for this concert will start on January 17, my birthday.”

Childhood and youth

Russian singer and composer Igor Yuryevich Nikolaev was born on Sakhalin, in the provincial town of Kholmsk, on January 17, 1960. Igor’s father was a marine poet and a member of the USSR Writers’ Union, while at the same time acting as captain of a ship transporting cargo over long distances.

Igor Nikolaev in childhood

Young Nikolaev spent most of his time with his mother, who worked as an accountant. The salary was barely enough for food, but Igor was not afraid of the poverty line, he read a lot, played sports and gravitated toward music.

In his youth, Igor discovered creative abilities. Mom sent her son to the Sakhalin music school, where he first learned to play the violin. After graduating from school, Igor Nikolaev entered the South Sakhalin Music College, but a year later he left his hometown to conquer Moscow.

Igor Nikolaev in his youth without a mustache

Igor Nikolaev: “The crisis is becoming systemic”

MOSCOW – The Russian Ministry of Economic Development has admitted the possibility of revising its vision of GDP dynamics in 2020. Russian media reported this on Monday, December 21, with reference to the head of the department, Alexei Ulyukaev.

The minister admitted that given the fall in oil prices, there is reason to think about revising the forecast. On Monday, the price of Brent oil fell to record lows over the past 11 years – to $36.17 per barrel. Earlier, the Ministry of Economic Development announced GDP growth of 0.7 percent.

It also became known on Monday that the EU has extended sanctions against Russia.

Against this background, the Russian service of the Voice of America asked Igor Nikolaev, director of the FBK Institute for Strategic Analysis, professor at the Higher School of Economics, to sum up the main economic results of 2020.

Victor Vasiliev: Igor Alekseevich, did the forecasts of your institute come true in the past year?

Igor Nikolaev: We had simply “frightening” accuracy of forecasts, which even our opponents admit. I will give just some numbers. In November 2014, we, the FBK Institute for Strategic Analysis, predicted that the country’s GDP would decline by 2 to 4 percent. While the official forecast was + 1.2. It is known that by the end of this year the decline will be about 4 percent. We predicted inflation in the region of 12-14 percent. The official forecast, let me remind you, was 5.5 percent. The result will be about 13. As for the exchange rate, our average annual forecast was 60 rubles per dollar, and the official one was 37.7. In fact, it will be a little more than 61 rubles. Unfortunately, we were largely accurate.

V.V.: And where did this lead the country, to what denominators?

I.N.: In general, it can be stated that the Russian economy has acquired a steady downward trend towards non-collapse. And this trend seems to be long-term. And the fact that the economy is not falling precipitously is not really very encouraging. Because in the end, such an economic crisis can turn out, and, as a rule, turns out to be even more severe than when the economy falls sharply and then rebounds. In short, our economy has definitely entered a crisis, and the economic results of the year, of course, cannot be considered satisfactory.

V.V.: Is it possible to single out what most strongly influenced the overall situation?

I.N.: The fact of the matter is that there is no one obvious factor here. Rather, we need to talk about a combination of reasons: falling oil prices, worsening macroeconomic situation, sanctions. But the most important thing is that those same notorious structural reforms that were talked about so much have, by and large, never begun. Therefore, the crisis turns out to be systemic. And this is the main problem. Because structural imbalances cannot be quickly corrected, it is simply impossible. For example, one of the reasons for the crisis lies in the fact that the Russian economy remains resource-based. Moreover, its raw materials focus has increased. Consequently, when oil prices fall, no matter how much we want to dramatically change our economy for the better, this will not happen quickly. The same goes for small businesses, whose share of the economy is now less than 24 percent. This is very little, but again it will not be possible to correct the situation quickly.

V.V.: Can you assess the effectiveness of the government’s actions during the crisis?

I.N.: It seems to me that we should take into account the indicators with which the federal budget for 2015 was adopted. Let me remind you that we were counting on economic growth, but we got a fall. We expected low inflation, but we got high inflation. It was believed that the ruble would be relatively strong, but it fell by the end of the year. By the way, I calculated that the government subsequently revised its forecast 6 times. Where is the anti-crisis plan that worked, as we are assured? If it worked, then why are economic indicators significantly worse than predicted? Therefore, the efficiency is, to put it mildly, low.

V.V.: Taking into account the fact that the economic crisis today is not of a general nature, as it used to be, but clearly selective, what is the reason for the situation in which Russia finds itself?

I.N.: Two years ago, in December 2013, in the presidential address, when the state of the economy was already noticeably deteriorating, the rate of GDP growth was steadily declining, it was quite rightly said that the reasons for the difficulties that arose were purely internal reasons. It's hard to argue with that. And if this is so, it means that the crisis is truly the “merit” of the government, the authorities. That is, we have constantly worsening economic dynamics due to our own shortcomings. And then strong external negative shocks were added to this. They are well known to everyone.

V.V.: Did the “anti-sanctions” against a number of Western countries worsen the general situation?

I.N.: Of course, sanctions and counter-sanctions always have an adverse effect on the economy. Even such Russian official bodies as the Ministry of Economic Development, the Central Bank, and the analytical center under the government of the Russian Federation admitted in their documents that the additional increase in inflation was largely caused by “anti-sanctions.” And what is the additional increase in inflation, which as a result reached 13 percent, if not more? This naturally limits investment, reduces people’s living standards and their purchasing power. So, this year our retail trade will fall very significantly. At the end of November, in annual terms, retail trade turnover decreased by more than 13 percent compared to November last year. This is an anti-record, and in general a colossal minus for the economy.

Music

After graduating from the Moscow Institute of Culture, the talented musician was noticed by Alla Pugacheva, who invited him to work as a keyboard player in the vocal and instrumental ensemble “Recital”, where he quickly retrained as an arranger. The first songs written by Igor Nikolaev for the Diva of Russian pop music became hits, and, as they would say now, blew up the chart ratings.

Igor Nikolaev as part of the Recital ensemble

The hits of the 1980s were the musical compositions “Iceberg” and “Tell Me, Birds,” which brought Igor all-Russian fame as a young, but already well-known and respected composer. The whole country sang them. Nikolaev’s great composing career began with these songs.

A turning point in the creative biography of Igor Nikolaev was participation in the music competition “Song of the Year - 1985”, where new songs by the young composer were performed: “The Ferryman” performed by Alla Pugacheva and “Komarovo” performed by Igor Sklyar. The debut turned out to be a resounding success for Igor, firmly securing him at the top of the Olympus of the Soviet stage.

Igor Nikolaev – “Mill”

Igor Nikolaev himself sings wonderfully. The singer’s solo career started in 1986 with his own song “Mill,” which was included in the album of the same name, which gained unprecedented popularity. This was followed by “Raspberry Wine”, “Birthday”, “Let’s Drink to Love”, “Congratulations”.

Soon the musician, together with Alla Borisovna, will tour Japan. In 1988, Igor Nikolaev first appeared at the annual music festival “Song of the Year” with his own composition “The Kingdom of Crooked Mirrors,” which also unconditionally became a popular hit and was the single of the album of the same name.

Igor Nikolaev – “Raspberry Wine”

After 2 years, Igor Nikolaev meets the aspiring singer Natasha Koroleva, with whom he begins to collaborate fruitfully. The creative union quickly develops into a duet. Popular compositions “Taxi”, “Dolphin and Mermaid”, “Winter Months” are sung by the whole country. The joint project of Nikolaev and Koroleva was highly appreciated not only by Russian, but also by Western listeners. The duo performed the program “Dolphin and Mermaid” within the walls of the legendary Madison Square Garden concert hall in the American city of New York.

The musician’s creative biography is developing exponentially. Each new song by Igor Yuryevich Nikolaev and new album is a hit in the top ten. Since 1998, the composer has been organizing recitals at the Rossiya Concert Hall. They are invariably a great success and are broadcast by the country's central channels.

Igor Nikolaev – “Five Reasons”

At the beginning of the millennium, Igor Nikolaev releases a new disc called “Broken Cup of Love.” A year later, in 2001, he received the title of Honored Worker of Culture and Arts of the Russian Federation. In the same year, Igor Yuryevich was awarded the Golden Gramophone Prize for his new music album “Five Reasons”.

Almost every year Nikolaev is blessed with a new wave of success in the form of another award in his impressive treasury of achievements. In 2006, the popular singer and composer received 2 orders: Peter the Great, first degree, and the Golden Order of Service to Art. In the same year, Igor Nikolaev launched the creative project “Two Stars” on Channel One, which aroused great interest and sympathy from viewers who were eagerly awaiting the release of the new episode.

Yulia Proskuryakova and Igor Nikolaev - “SMS”

In the summer of 2008, as part of the All-Russian competition “New Wave”, held in Jurmala, Igor Nikolaev organized a creative evening concert. At his own benefit performance, the singer performs the new hit “There’s Something in This” in a duet with the young singer Yulia Proskuryakova, who later became his third wife.

Songwriter, singer, composer and arranger Igor Yuryevich Nikolaev productively collaborates with prominent figures in the field of Russian and foreign pop music. His hits are performed by artists Alla Pugacheva, Valery Leontyev, Larisa Dolina, Irina Allegrova, Alexander Buinov, the group “Accident” and Alexey Kortnev.

Igor Nikolaev and Irina Allegrova

On the Russian stage, especially among artists of the USSR era, there are almost no musicians who have not collaborated with Nikolaev. Among the foreign pop stars performing songs commissioned or purchased from the Russian composer are the sisters Rose and Cyndi Lauper (USA), Swedish singer Liz Nilsson, Japanese musician Tokiko Kato and others.

Igor Yuryevich also has contracts with popular Russian songwriters. He wrote music for poems by Nikolai Zinoviev, Leonid Derbenev, Mikhail Tanich, Vladimir Matetsky, Andrei Makarevich, Igor Kokhanovsky and even Yevgeny Yevtushenko.

Igor Nikolaev – “Birthday”

Along with this, Igor Nikolaev more than once served as a member of the jury of music festivals and competitions, people from which – Lyudmila Sokolova and Diana Gurtskaya – subsequently also performed Nikolaev’s compositions.

Lyudmila Poryvay revealed the secrets of her sons-in-law - Nikolaev and Tarzan

The host of the show “Time to Lunch” Lyudmila Poryvai said that she was happy with her second son-in-law. Although when I found out that he was a stripper, I was in shock for a long time. “After the composer, there’s a stripper!” recalls Luda’s mother in horror.

Lyudmila Poryvay loved Igor Nikolaev very much. Although he has a rather complex character. However, it was he who suggested that his mother-in-law go to Miami and look after his daughter Yulia. At that time she was receiving her education in the USA. Lyudmila agreed to the proposal. There the woman became engaged to Igor Alperin and found her feminine happiness. By the way, my husband runs a food company in Russia and owns several restaurants in the USA. “There are no ideal sons-in-law. And I am a mother-in-law with great experience. Igor Nikolaev has been given talent by God. I couldn't even look at him wrong. It will immediately be “Let mom go to the hotel.” Nikolaev left everything he had to his family. She and Natasha lived in a one-room apartment. But my daughter insisted on painting. And they got married. And Tarzan did what good money is paid for. As a mother-in-law, I fainted when I found out that he was a stripper. From famous composer to stripper. But Natasha insisted that he graduate from GITIS and brought him into the public eye,” admitted Lyudmila Poryvay.

“But she can be stylish,” Natasha Koroleva changed her image from a rustic village girl to “with attempts at elegance”
Igor Nikolaev enjoys his holiday in Latvia
Natasha Koroleva was criticized for an expensive mask
Natasha Koroleva remembers for 20 years how Pugacheva supported her during her divorce from Nikolaev
Natasha Koroleva shared what business she and her husband lost due to coronavirus
Natasha Koroleva's enlarged lips are being discussed online
Petrosyan had to urgently interrupt his performance in Sochi
Tarzan teased haters with the image of a housekeeper
Igor Nikolaev is having a wonderful time in Jurmala
Igor Nikolaev hopes that he will receive a pension with a large increase
Igor Nikolaev was tested for coronavirus and is awaiting the test result
Vinokur published a video of what happened outside the hall during the sudden interruption of the concert in Sochi
Koroleva told what joke there was about her and her stripper husband
Leps called on artists not to complain about the “difficult situation”, advised them to work and offered his help

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Personal life

For the first time, composer Igor Nikolaev got married while still studying at the Sakhalin Music School. In 1978, Igor Nikolaev became a father for the first time. His first wife, Elena Kudryasheva, gave birth to his daughter Yulia. At the time of the birth of their daughter, the young life partners were 18 years old.

The rapid fading of relationships that began in youth was a completely natural development of events. Igor's first family fell apart. Later, the composer married for the second time, choosing Natasha Koroleva as his life partner.

Igor Nikolaev and Natasha Koroleva

This happened in the early 1990s, when the media wrote about the open romance of the brilliant Russian composer and the young but promising Ukrainian singer Natalya Poryvay, who later received the creative pseudonym Korolev from her patron.

A bright and rich wedding for those times took place in 1994. The marriage was officially registered by employees of the Moscow registry office at Igor’s house. However, this union was not destined to last forever. In 2001, the couple broke up.

Igor Nikolaev and Natasha Koroleva broke up

The reason for the divorce, as the singer herself later said, was Nikolaev’s interest in other women. After the first betrayal, the Queen gave her husband time to understand the situation and make a decision. A year has passed, but nothing has changed. Natasha initiated the divorce process, which took place before the eyes of the whole country. The musician tried to bring his wife back and made loud statements from the stage, but the Queen remained adamant.

5 years after the breakup, in an interview, Igor admits that the women he met during that period “were a kind of similarity to Natasha. The desire to repeat that strong feeling and that emotion leads to an unconscious search for one similar to that one. Of course, there are no cloned people, but some similarities can be found.”

After another 4 years, the artist had a third wife, Yulia Proskuryakova, whose resemblance to Natasha Koroleva was noted by both fans and reporters.

Igor Nikolaev: I didn’t go bald, I didn’t get fat and, most importantly, I didn’t die!

The composer celebrates his 60th birthday as a happy family man and young father (with his wife Yulia and daughter Veronica). Photo: instagram.com

“The Ferryman”, “One Hundred Friends”, “Two Stars”, “The Mill”, “The Kingdom of Crooked Mirrors”, “Yellow Tulips”, “My Wanderer” - listing the hits written by Nikolaev will take a fair amount of time. He performed his songs himself and decorated with them the programs of other artists, such as Irina Allegrova, Philip Kirkorov, Alla Pugacheva. It was Pugacheva, being a close friend of Igor, who gave him the most important advice when he decided to start singing himself: “Without Alla Borisovna, I would not have found my way around: how to write a repertoire that should be heard from the stage, how to behave with the audience, with the musicians, accompanying you..."

Two stars of the rising sun: with Alla Pugacheva on tour in Japan in 1987 (on the left in the frame is a translator who worked with our artists). Photo: instagram.com

Dolphin and his Mermaid, the second wife of the hero of the day Natasha Koroleva.

Photo: Larisa KUDRYAVTSEVA/EG

Now he himself can give advice to aspiring performers, but the title of master is not a reason to refuse regular performances. Igor Yuryevich is preparing a big anniversary concert for November. In the meantime, there are tours around the country (the halls are full everywhere), filming in TV shows. Well, the composer will celebrate his 60th birthday with family and friends.

“The birth of Veronica brought us all closer together,” Igor Nikolaev told us about his current muse, his 4-year-old youngest daughter. — I like my family, it’s so lively, something happens all the time. My daughter changes all the time, she makes me happy. With all my songs and creativity, I prepared the basis for the family to feel good now...”

From childhood: little Igor on a walk with his mother. Photo: instagram.com

And about the number 60, the hero of the day jokes: “There are positive aspects. First of all, I'm not bald. I haven't gained much weight. And, most importantly, he didn’t die...”

Still without a mustache, but already with a serious attitude to the matter: Private Nikolaev takes the oath. Photo: instagram.com

Igor Yuryevich will continue to joke about age on Channel One this Saturday, January 18, at 19.35 in the “Tonight” program dedicated to him.

Igor Nikolaev now

A composer and performer on the stage for many years, favored by the attention of the press and the love of fans - sit back and rest on your laurels. But Igor Nikolaev is not one of those. The musician is interested in modern trends. In 2020, the main lyricist of the Russian stage surprised the audience with a collaboration with a young singer from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Emma Blinkova. The girl is known in the online community as Emma M. The new duet recorded a cover version of the hit “Let’s Drink to Love.”

Emma M and Igor Nikolaev - “Let's Drink to Love” (premiere 2020)

At the same time, the media space was stirred up by the message that Igor refuses to compose new compositions for Irina Allegrova. For the “empress” of the Russian stage, Nikolaev wrote two dozen songs, and each found a response in the hearts of listeners, including “The Wanderer,” with which the artist’s ascent to Olympus began.

The musician emphasized that it is the old material that is of interest, and if people suddenly became new, then new hits would appear. As it is, he has already said everything he wanted, and at concerts they ask him to sing “from the old days.” In addition, Irina collaborates with young authors who have something to offer.

Igor Nikolaev with his daughter

At Allegrova’s creative evening in the New Wave Hall, the same “old” Nikolaev “Wedding Flowers”, “Junior Lieutenant”, “Stupid Boy”, “Photography 9x12” were performed.

In the fall, a new book of poems by Igor Nikolaev entitled “Songs and Artists” was published. This is not the first publication of the composer's poetic works. The collection “I Love You to Tears,” published in 2015, is dedicated to Igor’s parents. The book includes 200 song lyrics, rare photographs of the artist and family photographs.

Writer Igor Nikolaev

In December, Avtoradio presented the holiday song “New Year,” which Igor Nikolaev had the opportunity to record in the company of Katya Lel, Denis Klyaver, Alexander Marshal and Viktor Rybin. In the show “In Full Voice”, organized for talented young performers from the CIS countries by the MIR 24 TV channel, a creative evening of the Russian composer was held.

Nikolaev intrigued fans with the news that he was preparing a surprise for the New Year holidays with his friend and colleague Yuri Antonov. Fans immediately assumed that this would apparently be a duet.

Igor Nikolaev with his wife at the premiere of the film “Unforgiven” in 2020

Igor’s official website outlines the tour schedule for the first half of 2020. The tour “BEST AND NEW SONGS #LEM'S DRINK FOR LOVE” takes place in cities of Russia and Belarus. However, Nikolaev found time to attend Alla Pugacheva’s anniversary concert. The media has already dubbed the event the return of the Diva to the stage.

Creative career

After studying at the institute, he received an invitation to work in the team of Primadona “Recital” . There he played keyboards. Subsequently, he took the position of arranger. Initially, his songs caused a sensation among the artist’s fans; they quickly became hits, reaching the top of the ratings.

These were the compositions “Tell me, birds”, “Iceberg”. They glorified Nikolaev as an excellent composer who was respected by colleagues and appreciated by music lovers.

In 1985, Igor took part in the “Song of the Year” competition. Alla Pugacheva performed his songs “The Ferryman”, and “Komarovo” was performed by I. Sklyar. Since then, Igor has been exclusively successful on the Russian stage.

In addition, Nikolaev delighted with his solo work. In 1986, he presented the composition “Mill,” which was included in the album. This is where his tours around Japan began. In 1988, Nikolaev performed for the first time as part of the annual festival “Song of the Year” and presented the song “Kingdom of Crooked Mirrors,” which became a popular hit. A record of the same name was released in her honor.

In 1990, Igor Nikolaev began collaborating with the aspiring singer Natasha Koroleva. This is how the duet “Dolphin and Mermaid” appeared.

Since 1998, the artist began organizing creative evenings, which took place in the Rossiya hall. They were famous for their success, and therefore they were shown on the country's television channels. At the same time, Igor released the disc “Broken Cup of Love.”

For his work in 2001, Nikolaev received the title of Honored Worker of Culture and Arts of the Russian Federation. At the same time, the singer was awarded the Golden Gramophone Award for the album “Five Reasons”.

Since 2003, Nikolaev has been actively involved in politics and is a member of the United Russia party.

In 2006, the singer was awarded two orders: “Service to Art” and Peter the Great, first degree. At the same time, Nikolaev’s project started on Channel One under the name “Two Stars”. In 2008, Igor organized a creative evening as part of the “New Wave” in Jurmala. He presented a new song with Yu. Proskuryaeva “There’s Something in This.”

Igor Yuryevich actively collaborates with Russian and foreign pop figures. Songs based on Nikolaev's original music are successfully performed by the sisters Rose and Cyndi Lauper, Liz Nilsson from Sweden, musician Tokiko Kato, representing Japan, etc.

In 2020, he organized the concert “A poet in Russia is more than a poet.” Nowadays, the singer actively collaborates with pop stars of Russian show business and takes the place of a jury member at the New Wave.