“The landowner Alyosha” from “Formula of Love” spoke about the unknown role of Gladkov

Actor Alexander Mikhailov: “His voice was amazing!”

Today many people remember the brilliant composer Gennady Gladkov who passed away. But first of all – those who performed songs based on his music in films. Among them is Alexander Mikhailov, the actor who played the romantic Alyosha from “Formula of Love.” Now he plays at the Vakhtangov Theater, in an art cafe with the program “Melody for Two Voices”, together with his wife, the actor continues to perform songs by Gennady Gladkov. Mikhailov learned about the death of the classic from MK.

“I remember our meeting for the rest of my life,” actor Alexander Mikhailov shared his memory with MK. – All recordings of the film’s songs had to be done before filming the film “Formula of Love” and I was invited to Gennady Igorevich’s home. There we learned songs together with his assistant, then we went to the studio to record. He checked me, looked at me, approved. We didn’t suffer with him – which is also very important. I was young then, athletic, I had no fear. As they told me in the studio, I performed it: “And now in a whisper.” Afterwards, while filming near the balcony, I had to get into my soundtrack. It was an amazing experience working together with Gennady Gladkov.

He was a man with humor. There’s always a little smile on his face. He treated everyone very carefully. He guided me very touchingly – he showed me where I needed to step in at the right time. Everything was friendly and kind. This was the most memorable experience. Music plays a colossal role in any material – theater and cinema. Here (in “Formula of Love”) there was a direct, amazing connection to the context and combination of script, direction, actors and music. All these fast melodies and skips sound very powerful. By chance, I recently decided to rewatch it and, you know, I couldn’t put it down. The film is so well edited! It has all the hallmarks of genius, everything is sparkling, and at the end of watching you have a joyful good feeling.

– Who suggested you perform Alyosha’s romance?

– It was written down in the role. When they invited me, they said that I would have to sing. On my mobile phone there is a playlist with the final music of “Formula of Love”. Gladkov’s music is always with me. Time passes and, listening to his music, you understand that Gennady Gladkov is our era. I remembered him very often, dreamed of meeting him, unfortunately, he was already ill.

He had a certain lightness of his high professionalism. I remember how he asked, “I can’t write an Italian song?” He took it and wrote “Uno Momento” – these are his words and music. I think this is a brilliant work! This song is unusual and very recognizable. Gladkov wrote “Uno Momento” together with Abdulov, and instead of Semyon Farada, the author himself, Gennady Gladkov, sang. Something didn’t go well with Faroda’s recording. “You wrote it, you sing it,” Mark Anatolyevich Zakharov said then. And then he took it again and sang. He has an amazing voice too! By the way, composer Gennady Gladkov starred in two small episodes in “Formula of Love” in the role of a landowner.

I have very fond memories of him. We bow to him for his creativity, for his unique musical works and for his kindness.

Read also: Zubkov told why “The Bremen Town Musicians” with Gladkov’s music came out with difficulties