Lev Leshchenko, honored as a People’s Artist of the RSFSR, spoke with socialbites.ca about the challenges of performing solo concerts and did not rule out stepping away from the stage in the near future. He clarified that he remains open to social concerts and corporate events, where the audience experience is often different and the setting more intimate.
“Yes, probably, I may bow out of the stage soon. Singing solo programs is becoming a bit difficult for me, but I still receive numerous invitations for social concerts and corporate events. I choose the most compelling ones and those I simply cannot pass up out of necessity. In parallel, I focus on studio work and consistently write at least 15-20 new songs each year. At my age, a person can still enjoy their career if the motivation stays high. The key is not to bore either myself or the audience. That is what I strive for. There are many interesting things beyond music as well,” Leshchenko explained.
Recently, music critic Evgeny Babichev noted in a discussion about performers who might retire after turning 75, suggesting that Yuri Antonov, Lev Leshchenko, and Nikolai Noskov could be among them.
“Unfortunately, the peak years of Yuri Mikhailovich are behind him. I would say the same about Lev Leshchenko, who has been performing less frequently after a serious Covid illness. He seems to prefer the image of a dignified retired master,” Babichev told Paragraph.
In a prior assessment, Leshchenko’s career was described as having a notable second wind, marked by enduring popularity and a steady stream of new material. This momentum reflects a broader conversation about aging in the music industry and how veteran artists adapt to changing audience expectations while exploring new creative avenues.