On how the song "Belovezhskaya Pushcha" was born
Vyacheslav Semakov, "Zarya" (The Dawn) newspaper, No 29, March 14, 2006
"By a grey wood bird from distant centuries
I come flying to you, Belovezhskaya Pushcha"
Nickolai Dobronravov
There is scarcely any man in the post-soviet area who did not hear songs by known Russian composer Alexandra Pahmutova even once in his life. She has made nearly four hundred songs, many of which became classics, and also music to a number of films and symphonies.
However, the song "Belovezhskaya Pushcha" with a surprising melody, imprinting in mind of everyone who will hear it, takes a special place among a set of products made by Pahmutova.
The story of creation of the song is also interesting. In 1974 the director of the State Protection Game Ground "Belovezhskaya Pushcha" (this was the name of the present National Park at that time) Stepan Kochanivskiy invited Mr Pahmutova and her husband, poet of Nickolai Dobronravov to visit this famous site. The talented story-teller Pavel Mihalevich accompanied their visit in Pushcha. He managed both to show all the best sights of this area and keenly tell about its uniqueness and importance. Huge giant trees, impassable wood thickets, herds of bison and graceful deer, met on the way, – a quiet and majestic nature of Belovezhskaya Pushcha made unforgettable impression by the distinguished visitors.
During the next meeting with them, Stepan Kochanivskiy took conversation on his dream to create a song about Belovezhskaya Pushcha. The "order" was executed in two days, and, a little bit grown thin, unshaven Dobronravov has born words of the future song to bring them to the "verdict of a public". The verses were liked and the pleased wife and husband departed to Moscow where the famous melody which became an informal hymn and symbol of Belarus was created in half a year (in 1975).
The Large Children's Chorus of the Central TV and the All-Union Radio was the first performer of the song. The general public was introduced the song in the TV-program "Song 1976" for the first time while in 1978 the company "Melody" produced a vinyl plate by Vocal-Instrumental Group "Pesnyary" with the record of the song "Belovezhskaya Pushcha" performed by Valerie Daineko.
Many musicologists consider this song a top of creativity of the glorified composer. Alexandra Pahmutova also always responded and continues to respond with particular warm-heartedness towards it. The ambassador of Italy D. Fertini, specially invited to a premiere of the song in Moscow, shed a few tears during its performance and further said behind the scene that he heard nothing better in his life than "Ave Maria" in performance of the Milan Children's Chorus and this song.
The song goes on with one's life, not only growing old but being constantly enriched. For instance, an ocarina, unique instrument of the sort of whistle-flute with original "wood" sounding is now used for performance of the prelude to the "Belovezhskaya Pushcha". The ocarina's sound just became a "business card" of the song "Belovezhskaya Pushcha".
The composer Alexandra Pahmutova has got many awards for her long-term fruitful activity. She has a rank of National Artist of the USSR. She is a member of the Union of Composers of Russia and a winner of the premiums of Lenin's Komsomol and two State premiums. She is Hero of Socialist Work.
As particular warm-heartedness, she appreciated a high award of Belarus, Order of Francisco Scorina. The ambassador of Belarus in Russia Vladimir Grigoriev handed the award in Moscow. He said that President of the country Alexander Lukashenko awarded the Russian composer-song-writer by expressing will of all Belarusian people who like and sing many songs of Mr Pahmutova including "Belovezhskaya Pushcha".
Vyacheslav SEMAKOV
Belovezhskaya Pushcha