Peter Dranga can be called a unique phenomenon who demonstrates his talent for virtuosity on the Russian music scene. To do this, he chose a musical instrument forgotten by everyone - the accordion, which became popular in his hands, as well as keyboards, guitar and drums. Peter's performances are always a holiday for spectators who adore fiery Latin, French chanson, tango and rock.
The musician has always strived for more, so his creative biography has always been rich: for some time now he has been writing songs, shooting videos and coming up with scripts for films. Peter also revealed himself on the other side, acting as a producer who helps young singers conquer the musical Olympus.
https://www.instagram.com/drangaofficial/
Popularity has not changed him, and in front of the audience the musician behaves simply and without pathos. This handsome guy never dreamed of fame, but now, when he comes somewhere with a concert, he is very glad that he is known and expected, because the greatest reward for an artist is the love of fans. Dranga does not like to talk about his personal life, trying to focus the attention of the audience only on his work. Over time, he began to hide his hobbies and novels from the public, so on his Instagram you can only find photos with friends and family.
Growing up in a family of musicians
The future artist was born in 1984 in Moscow. His parents are creative people. Father, Yuri Dranga, was an accordionist and also taught at the Gnessin Academy of Music. His ancestors were Greek; in the 30s, Peter’s grandfather fled from repression and settled in the Tashkent region, where the musician’s father was born. Yuri Petrovich fell in love with the accordion as a child, and to receive a musical education, he went to Moscow. When he began teaching at the Rostov Conservatory, he met his future wife, Peter’s mother. The parents created a strong and friendly family, raising three children (in addition to the future artist, his older sisters, Evgenia and Lydia, also grew up in the family).
Petr Dranga in childhood
For some time the whole family lived with their grandmother in Rostov, and then they left for Volokolamsk, where many farms were created in those days. The boy spent a lot of time with animals, which is why he dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. His father and mother tried to give all their children a good upbringing and a comprehensive education. His sisters also followed in their parents' footsteps and became pianists. Peter began playing music at the age of 5, but first he played the piano and then switched to the accordion.
The future musician had to study a lot, but he himself could not withstand such a load and often ran away from lessons. During his school years, Drang became interested in biology and even studied many textbooks on this topic. Among his friends were those who went to medical school; Peter and his friends attended lectures and went to the anatomical theater. Perhaps he would have made a good doctor, but among all his childhood hobbies, his love of music still prevailed.
with sister.. photo https://www.instagram.com/drangaofficial/
There was a friendly and creative atmosphere in their family, but on the street Peter had to communicate with seasoned hooligans. The young man was more than once a participant in clashes between boys, when fragments of bottles and knives were used, and only a happy coincidence of circumstances helped him then remain alive and unharmed. As a teenager, Dranga wanted to live an independent life: he left home and rented a room with his friends. In order to somehow feed himself, he got a job as a cleaner at a nearby cinema, where he went after school and music classes. The parents understood that their son was going through a transitional period, so they made no attempts to bring him home; Only at the age of 19 did Peter return to his family.
An unpleasant story in the biography of Peter Drangi
In 2020, the body of a man was discovered in the artist’s apartment and had lain there for eight days. The apartment was being rented out at that moment, but Peter nevertheless had to explain things to the police. At that time, bodybuilder Vadim lived there. Apparently the athlete used a lot of sports drugs, which were present in large quantities in the apartment. Perhaps stimulants caused the bodybuilder’s death from cardiovascular failure. The situation was resolved, but the apartment required serious repairs.
Petr Dranga in his apartment
First performances on stage
The musician’s first serious victory was won when he was only 12 years old. First, he tried his hand at accordionists in Moscow, and then took part in a competition in Italy. His music, performed in various musical styles, attracted the attention of not only the audience, but also the jury members, who deservedly awarded him the title of laureate. Inspired by the victory, the young man continued to conquer the musical Olympus and performed at various festivals and competitions, combining this with his studies at the Gnessin School.
According to Dranga himself, for the first two years he did not think about his studies and spent a lot of time hanging out with girls, and only in his third year did he delve into music. After working in a restaurant for some time, the musician bought a synthesizer and then saved money for a computer and speakers. In the evenings he entertained the public in clubs and bars, and in the morning he went to classes. At that time, Peter had his own group, but the team did not last long, as a conflict arose between its members.
In 2002, the accordionist left to conquer the Caucasian public, who greeted him with a bang. Thanks to good earnings, he returned home and created his own music studio, and then went around the cities with a concert program. Alexander Peskov provided him with invaluable support in developing his career, inviting the young man to his show. Concerts took place not only in Russian cities, but also in America and Italy, thanks to which the name Dranga became familiar to many music lovers.
Music
The creative biography of Peter Dranga began early. After graduating from secondary school, the musician organized his own band, “Torra”. In the evenings the guys rehearsed and performed, and during the day Peter ran to classes at the Gnessin Music School, where he studied in the department of folk instruments and conducting. After graduating from college, he entered the Gnesin Academy, where his father worked.
Pyotr Dranga, Alexander Peskov and Prokhor Chaliapin
Created in 2000, the Torra group was soon transformed from a vocal-instrumental group to an instrumental one. But no matter how hard the young musicians tried, together with their leader Peter Dranga, they received neither great success nor money. Soon the group ceased to exist.
In 2002, Peter Dranga, after wandering around restaurants, clubs and bars, where he entertained the public by playing the accordion and guitar, decided to leave the fed-up capital and went to the Caucasus. The calculation was correct. The public in the North Caucasus was much more appreciative than in large Russian cities. The musician managed to earn decent capital, which upon arrival in the capital he immediately invested in business, creating his own music studio and assembling a new group, Over Drive.
Petr Dranga opened a music studio in Moscow
In September 2002, the first tour of the musical and instrumental group took place, which was crowned with success.
Fortune finally smiled on the musician when the popular parodist Alexander Peskov heard his performance. He immediately invited Dranga to perform on his show. Together with Peskov's touring concerts, Peter traveled to all the big cities of the former Soviet Union, visited America and Italy. His name becomes recognizable, the first fans appear. This is facilitated not only by talented playing, but also by the bright appearance and artistry of the young musician. Peter is now regularly invited to perform between numbers in concerts of such stars as Oleg Gazmanov, Dmitry Kogan and Patricia Kaas.
Petr Dranga – AMERICANO
In the early 2000s, Dranga performed solo programs. Now he himself is a popular artist who does not need to “warm up” the audience at other people’s concerts.
In 2008, Petr Dranga’s debut album “23” appeared. The album was composed of the musician's most famous hits, most of which were music he wrote. There is everything here: fiery Latin, tango, rock and French chanson. The musician’s performances are a fascinating theatrical performance, a mix of rock and ethno music.
Petr Dranga - album “23”
In the fall of 2009, Pyotr Dranga gave his first solo concert in the main concert hall of the country - the Rossiya State Central Concert Hall. The musician’s invited guests were Nadezhda Babkina, Joseph Kobzon, Nikolai Baskov, Valeria, Marina Devyatova and others.
Marina Devyatova and Petr Dranga - “The Nightingale Sang in the Grove”
His bright appearance also contributes to the artist’s reputation: the musician often collaborates with fashion brands, acting as a model.
Dranga regularly appears as a guest on TV. In 2007, Peter participated in the show “Dancing on Ice”. His partner was Oksana Grischuk, they took 3rd place. In 2015, Dranga became a participant in the “Exactly Exactly” program. He had to reincarnate as Valery Meladze, Enrique Iglesias, Eminem, Justin Timberlake and others.
Oksana Grischuk and Petr Dranga in the show “Dancing on Ice”
In 2016, the accordionist pleased fans with two new albums - “Perspective” and “Gulf Stream”. In support of them, he gave concerts in major cities of Russia. It is noteworthy that Dranga both plays and sings at his performances. Some songs, such as "Make mewanna stay" and "Tango", become hits. Later, videos were shot for these songs.
Solo career
Soon the musician entered the Gnessin Academy, and two years later he began performing on his own. Over the years of his creative activity, he managed to appear on the stage of the Kremlin and the Rossiya Concert Hall, where he not only played the accordion, but also sang his own songs. In 2008, his debut album was released, which included songs written in different styles and genres.
Over time, Peter expanded his activities and began working as a producer of young performers, showing his professionalism and artistry. His collaborations with other stars produce excellent results. An example of this is his collaboration with Timbaland on the track, after which the singer took sixth position on Billboard. The video of the song Freedom by Pharrell Williams, in which the musician combined beatboxing and accordion, was liked by Facebook subscribers, gaining more than one hundred thousand views in a short time.
https://www.instagram.com/drangaofficial/
In recent years, Dranga has not only given concerts in different cities of Russia, but also managed to release albums:
- "Perspective";
- "Gulfstream";
- "To the ceiling";
- “I’ll forget”;
- Radondo Red;
- "Part One"
He loves his viewers and always prepares unusual programs for them; among them there is a concert in which the rhythms of rock bands and chamber orchestra sound. At his performances, the musician plays and sings, and also significantly expands his videography. Some of his songs, such as “Make mewanna stay” and “Tango”, received recognition from his fans and became hits.
photo https://www.instagram.com/drangaofficial/
Peter devotes a lot of time to developing children's talent. He created a special program called “Daddy’s Pride, Mommy’s Joy,” which takes place in all regions of Russia. To select the winners of this competition, the artist watches videos of young singers performing, after which the best of them receive an invitation to perform at his concert. Dranga also finds time for master classes, where he teaches children how to play the accordion correctly. All participants in this event receive a lot of pleasure and positive emotions.
Recently, the musician has recorded several soundtracks for films (“New Year’s Tariff”, “Bachelorette Party”), and in 2020 he acted as a composer and director of a trailer for the play “Iranian Conference”. Filming of this music video took place in California, on a lake with dead land - El Mirage.
Peter Dranga today
Having established himself as a popular artist, Petr Dranga began to engage in charity work, as well as producing. He has been actively promoting young performers for many years.
Petr Dranga does not like to talk about his personal life
The career of the accordionist himself does not stand still. In 2011, the artist presented his second studio album to listeners, and also gave big concerts in Moscow and St. Petersburg. It is quite remarkable that it was during this period that Peter Dranga began not only to perform as an accordionist, but also to sing. Some of his compositions became real hits.
At the time of writing this article, the artist’s latest work was the English-language song “Make me wanna stay.” Currently, Petr Dranga is actively touring and working in the studio on new bright hits. In addition, in recent years, the famous musician has often collaborated with various fashion brands, acting as a model.
Activities and hobbies outside the stage
For many years now, the star accordionist has been constantly in a hurry somewhere, going on tour, so there is no time left for his personal life. He devotes himself completely to his work and does not even meet with his family as often as he would like. Peter’s Instagram is simply replete with pictures from concert venues, in the company of friends, but no one has seen a photo of his girlfriend. The 35-year-old musician himself does not talk about his lovers, but does not hide the fact that he is already thinking about starting a family. According to him, an example of an ideal relationship between a husband and wife for him is the union of his parents, who have lived in love and harmony for more than forty years.
When Dranga meets a girl, the first thing he notices is not only her external characteristics, but also her sense of humor. If his chosen one becomes a good friend for him, able to support him in difficult times, and also, over time, shows the qualities of a keeper of the hearth, then a marriage proposal will not be long in coming. At the moment, Peter’s heart is free, and as it turns out, it’s not easy to occupy it. He values his independence and is already accustomed to the fact that no one tells him what to do. The artist will decide to part with his bachelor status only when true love comes into his life.
He has many friends in show business, especially among the acting fraternity, but there are not so many people in whom he is confident and who will always help: Sergey Lazarev, Dima Bilan, Alexey Vorobyov, Evgeny Mironov. The musician does not deny friendship between a man and a woman, especially if it is time-tested; He also has faithful friends - Milla Jovovich and Victoria Bonya. He values sincerity and does not like it when people are jealous or insulting.
By nature, Dranga is a romantic who is ready to take decisive actions and pleasant surprises for the sake of his loved ones. He loves traveling and has already visited many countries around the world. His vacation is always active: the accordionist loves surfing, as well as high mountains, striving to conquer the highest points. He loves nature and the animal world, which is why in the future he dreams of making a film, for example, about Baikal or whales. At home he lives a German hunting terrier, who received the nickname Alyonka.
The artist loves his parents madly, but he has a closer relationship with his mother than with his father. Their family has always had a warm and trusting relationship, however, even now, when everyone already has their own families, they try to gather in a large group for the holidays. A special date is March 8; then congratulations are accepted not only by mother and sisters, but also by Peter himself, who was born on this festive women's day.
Petr Dranga with his grandmother
His favorite profession and the presence of his family make him a happy person who enjoys his life every day. The artist is not afraid of his approaching 40th birthday and is already waiting for his first wrinkles; but this fact does not frighten him at all, since he believes that now he looks even better than in his youth. The tall, handsome man (his height is 180 cm and his weight is about 72 kg) has always attracted the attention of numerous fans and has appeared on the covers of glossy publications more than once, and has also collaborated with fashion brands.
Personal life
Peter does not love and never talks about his love affairs. Here he is always secretive and adamant. It is known that in 2010 he had a passionate affair with some girl Nastya. Then his name was often mentioned along with the name of the famous TV presenter and athlete, the charming Laysan Utyasheva. However, there was no romance as such between them. Recently you can hear about the creative tandem “Peter Dranga and Marina Devyatova”. However, it is unlikely that anyone would dare to say with certainty that there is a love affair between the beautiful singer and the most talented musician.
Interesting facts from the life of Peter Dranga
- As a child, he had to travel to classes in a crowded carriage. Everything would be fine, but the young musician carried with him an accordion that weighed about 10 kg. The boy was pushed from all sides and demanded to remove a large backpack with potatoes, but he himself did not pay attention to the screams and tried to protect his favorite instrument from blows. But now the star artist travels in a car with his accordion, and he has his own driver.
- In his youth, he worked part-time in an aquarium salon, where he cleaned aquariums. He and his friends had no experience in this matter, so they took a book from the library and studied it thoroughly. The guys quickly brought cleanliness and order to the salon, and then began to decorate the aquariums, decorating them with plants and stones. Then Dranga and his company started selling aquarium fish, guinea pigs, and snakes. A few years later they mastered a new business - the construction of ponds and swimming pools in country houses.
- Fans often give Peter gifts; Among all the donated things, he remembered a figurine depicting him, which was made of papier-mâché. Among the gifts there is also a small accordion.
- Many spectators don’t even think about the fact that playing the accordion is not easy, because it is also quite hard physical work. While performing at a concert, a musician loses about three kilograms, and then he has to recover at home. To do this, it is enough for him to sleep well and take a short walk.
- At home, Drangi has several accordions made by masters of a famous Italian factory. The company gave these instruments to his father, who has been collaborating with them for a long time.
- In 2007, the artist was a participant in the project “Dancing on Ice. Velvet Season”, where he performed in tandem with Oksana Grischuk. By the way, then their couple was able to make it to the finals and take 3rd place. He does not regret taking part in the dance, and now these skates are still in his home. He doesn’t go to the skating rink, but he visits the pool regularly, so accordionists need to strengthen their backs.
- In 2020, he was able to demonstrate his vocal abilities by taking part in the filming of the television project “Exactly the Same.” It fell to him then to create the images of such star performers as Enrique Iglesias, Valery Meladze, Justin Timberlake and others.
Off stage
Nothing is known about the personal life of a talented musician and an attractive man. Therefore, high-profile novels are constantly attributed to him. Dranga has already denied rumors about his relationship with Leysan Utyasheva and Anfisa Chekhova.
In 2010, Peter and Oksana Kutuzova attended the international film festival in Moscow. However, when asked by journalists about the relationship between them, the musician did not give a clear answer to the press.
It was also reported that an affair had begun with a girl far from show business. There were no comments from Drangi on this matter. Finally, fans were shocked by the news about the unexpected wedding of their idol with Alina Agafonova. Soon this message was refuted, and the media became interested in searching for new data.
Dranga is already tired of tracking “stuffing”, since he has neither the strength nor the desire to “get married” twice a year. There is not the slightest hint of the arrangement of a family nest on the artist’s Instagram page. Occasionally, photographs of Peter with the baby appear, but the accordionist does not publish any information about the presence of a wife or the birth of a child. Although it is not always possible to hide his private life from journalists, the musician does his best not to advertise it.
The hard path to fame
The young man had many victories in various competitions. In 1997, he took part in the 13th International Festival in St. Petersburg; a year later, Petya became a laureate of the accordion competition in Asturias. Also in 1998, he participated in the Beijing International Festival, but all these achievements did not bring him material well-being. That is why the musician gets a job as a cleaner in the aquarium of the Orbita cinema. Since 1999, Dranga has performed at concerts of the Russian Cultural Foundation. At the same time, he became a laureate of an open competition in Moscow.
After graduating from school, the accordionist entered the Gnessin Music College, where his father was a professor. At the same time, he continued to work as a cleaner, and also created the Torra team together with his friend Maxim Kazakov. The group's arsenal included not only vocal, but also instrumental compositions. In January 2000, Peter performed at the All-Russian competition “New Names”; a few months later he left home.
In December 2001, the musician had practically no money left. He had to go hungry, the young man performed in restaurants, worked in a foundation and an aquarium salon. He spent all his free time in the studio, developing new arrangements. During this period of his life, the accordionist constantly had conflicts with his colleagues, as a result of which the assembled team disintegrated.
Excerpt characterizing Drang, Yuri Petrovich
Looking at the affairs and papers of his late wife, he did not feel any feeling for her memory, except pity that she did not know the happiness that he knew now. Prince Vasily, now especially proud of receiving a new place and star, seemed to him a touching, kind and pitiful old man. Pierre often later recalled this time of happy madness. All the judgments that he made about people and circumstances during this period of time remained true for him forever. He not only did not subsequently renounce these views on people and things, but, on the contrary, in internal doubts and contradictions he resorted to the view that he had at this time of madness, and this view always turned out to be correct. “Perhaps,” he thought, “I seemed strange and funny then; but I was not as mad then as it seemed. On the contrary, I was then smarter and more insightful than ever, and I understood everything that is worth understanding in life, because ... I was happy.” Pierre's madness consisted in the fact that he did not wait, as before, for personal reasons, which he called the merits of people, in order to love them, but love filled his heart, and he, loving people for no reason, found undoubted reasons for which it was worth loving their. From that first evening, when Natasha, after Pierre's departure, told Princess Marya with a joyfully mocking smile that he was definitely, well, definitely from the bathhouse, and in a frock coat, and with a haircut, from that moment something hidden and unknown to her, but irresistible, awoke in Natasha's soul. Everything: her face, her gait, her gaze, her voice - everything suddenly changed in her. Unexpected for her, the power of life and hopes for happiness surfaced and demanded satisfaction. From the first evening, Natasha seemed to have forgotten everything that had happened to her. Since then, she never once complained about her situation, didn’t say a single word about the past and was no longer afraid to make cheerful plans for the future. She spoke little about Pierre, but when Princess Marya mentioned him, a long-extinguished sparkle lit up in her eyes and her lips wrinkled with a strange smile. The change that took place in Natasha at first surprised Princess Marya; but when she understood its meaning, this change upset her. “Did she really love her brother so little that she could forget him so quickly,” thought Princess Marya when she alone pondered the change that had taken place. But when she was with Natasha, she was not angry with her and did not reproach her. The awakened force of life that gripped Natasha was obviously so uncontrollable, so unexpected for her that Princess Marya, in Natasha’s presence, felt that she had no right to reproach her even in her soul. Natasha gave herself over to the new feeling with such completeness and sincerity that she did not try to hide the fact that she was no longer sad, but joyful and cheerful. When, after a nightly explanation with Pierre, Princess Marya returned to her room, Natasha met her on the threshold. - He said? Yes? He said? – she repeated. Both a joyful and at the same time pitiful expression, asking for forgiveness for her joy, settled on Natasha’s face. – I wanted to listen at the door; but I knew what you would tell me. No matter how understandable, no matter how touching the look with which Natasha looked at her was for Princess Marya; no matter how sorry she was to see her excitement; but Natasha’s words at first offended Princess Marya. She remembered her brother, his love. “But what can we do? she cannot do otherwise,” thought Princess Marya; and with a sad and somewhat stern face she told Natasha everything that Pierre had told her. Hearing that he was going to St. Petersburg, Natasha was amazed.
A trip to the north
Chance, as often happens, helped the musician get out of a difficult life situation. One of his acquaintances suggested that he go to the North Caucasus. Peter began touring cities, where he managed to earn a good amount. The audience in the Caucasus was not so spoiled when compared with Russian listeners, so they gratefully accepted the accordionist’s work.
Peter later recalled with laughter his first days in the north. He was robbed, and as a result the musician was left without money and things. He played the accordion while sitting on a bench. After some time, a man approached the young man and asked him to have a hangover. Dranga explained his situation to him, and as a result, in the evening he performed in a restaurant, which this man turned out to be the owner of.
Upon returning to the capital, the accordionist created a small studio and assembled a new vocal and instrumental ensemble called “Overdrive”. The team began playing in June 2002, and already in September they were invited to Moscow clubs. At the same time, the group goes on tour to Italy.
At the end of the year, Peter graduated from college, receiving the specialty “Solo performer and orchestra conductor.” After that, he entered the Gnessin Academy.
Biography[edit | edit code]
In 1965 he graduated from a secondary special school for musicians in Tashkent, then studied at the Rostov Musical Pedagogical Institute in the class of Honored Artist of the RSFSR Professor V.A. Semenov[2], in 1980 he completed an assistantship - an internship at the Gnessin State Musical Pedagogical Institute under the guidance of the People's Artist RSFSR Professor S. M. Kolobkov.
Education[edit | edit code]
- Rostov State Conservatory named after. S.V. Rachmaninov, 1975
- Postgraduate School of the Russian Academy of Sciences named after. Gnessins, 1983
Pedagogical activity[edit | edit code]
- 1976-1979 - Conservatory named after. Rachmaninova (Rostov-on-Don), teacher
- 1981 - to present time - Russian Academy of Music named after. Gnesins 1981-1985 - associate professor
- since 1986 - professor
, 1997 - present. time - Gnessin State Music College, teacher
Since the 1990s, he has been giving master classes in Russian and foreign cities. He is a member of numerous all-Russian juries, as well as the chairman of the International Competition of Accordion Keyboard Players “Dizzying Accordion” (Barnaul), the All-Russian Festival-Competition of Keyboard Accordion Performers “Accordionissimo” (Ufa). Hobbies: fishing, gardening[3].
Notifications
– Wasn’t it offensive when your peers started playing football, and you had to spend hours learning the games?
– It was a shame, very... But it’s okay, I survived! I would hardly be a football player. (Smiles.)
– Have you ever dreamed of another instrument?
– What do you mean “didn’t dream”? I play guitar and drums quite well. I used to sing in a punk rock band and play bass there. This was very useful to me: now I write all the instruments myself in the studio. My skill is enough to realize my musical ideas.
– Peter, do you feel like a star?
– A person who did nothing yesterday can consider himself a star, but today a good song turned up for him, and he became famous. Here there is a risk that the head will spin from a sudden change in lifestyle, and the person will feel like a star. In my case this is completely excluded. Absolutely. I am a craftsman, I know what hard, long-term work is.
– Listener, fan of Peter Drang, what is he like?
– A very good, quite complete person. A music lover, first and foremost. A person who has a very strong craving for everything new. Who is looking for some new moves and nuances in music, and who is interested in learning what is happening in our world today. This is probably this category of people. Moreover, I wouldn’t differentiate by age at all: at my concerts there are both three-year-olds and people of very adult age.
– Does creativity interfere with your personal life?
– You ask a creative person whether creativity interferes with his personal life! Does personal life interfere with creativity, do you mean? Joke. I want to say that it helps me. Love always helps.
– A question from my husband Sergei, a professional driver. You said that an accordion can be compared to a good car, but where did your driving experience begin?
“I learned to drive when I was a teenager. We had an absolutely crazy “Zaporozhets”, without a roof, with some incredible benches instead of seats. And my friends and girls and I rode it in the village. Sometimes up to nine people were crammed into the cabin, and we drove around the area, jumping over bumps. It happened, the car even turned over, but no one was hurt - the speed was too low. I remember one day our “Cossack” stood on its side, everyone fell out of there, and no one had a single scratch - they just laughed for another half a day.
– And when you got your license, did you continue to practice extreme driving?
“Unfortunately, after receiving my license, I suddenly lost interest in driving as such. Now I mainly use the services of a driver. Especially if the trip is work related. I myself only get behind the wheel when I want to relax, unwind, or go for a ride somewhere. So I practically don’t drive a car in Moscow. I'm not a fan of traffic jams, and in general I often fall asleep right in the car. My driver, by the way, is also called Sergey, and he has been working with me for quite a long time, for about five years, he is even more than a family member for me, because he helps with everything, is very efficient, delicate, understands me perfectly and supports everyone.
– Summer has passed. Where do you think are the best beaches in the world?
– I managed to visit Miami, Italy, but the Seychelles and the Maldives made the greatest impression on me, because they stand almost on the equator, in the heart of the world. At the same time, I am a fan of wildlife. I don't like beaches with sun loungers and umbrellas. It is enough to have sand and the ocean, and you are alone with nature. I love it when there are no crowds and you can bury yourself in the sand, or lie down so that your body is in the ocean and your head is on the shore, and lie there for two or three hours, with your thoughts somewhere in the clouds.
– I read somewhere that you think that the best accordions are in Italy. Where are the most beautiful girls?
- In Russia. Of course, seven miles is no detour for a mad dog, and you can go across the seven seas to find your happiness, but in the end you will still find it in Russia.
– In the combination of virtuoso playing of the instrument and emotional delivery from the stage, a new direction was born, which critics have already called “Drang-style”. What is this?
– Dranga style? For me, this is what I do on stage. This is my own style, unlike anyone else. Because if I played, for example, only house or, on the contrary, some Neapolitan music or Argentine tango, then I would consider myself one of the people who play this or that style. Coming up with your own is a thorny path, it’s difficult, but it’s always interesting.
– Was your stage image somehow thought through?
– I didn’t think about creating a specific image. He is organic with me - on stage I am the same as I am in everyday life. It wasn’t like I changed myself much, I was so comfortable.
– Where do you get your inspiration from?
– Nature inspires: forest, water, river. Love is very inspiring, it generally comes first. The very feeling that I was born into this world inspires me. After all, this is a great gift from life when a person is born. But in order to bring a hundred original ideas out of a hundred ideas to life, everything that I initially wanted to do, for this I still need to grow and grow.
– You participated in the television project “Dancing on Ice”. What did he give you?
– I gave him endurance, he gave me some “bruises”. There was great persistence. Honestly, this is such fun. Very cool and funny. You can spend four months on this.
– Is it true that romances arose between the partners during this project?
- Is it true. But this didn't happen to me. I had an affair with ice and with the project, but not with my partner.
– Peter, most fans, or rather female fans, will be interested in learning a little about their personal life...
– Maybe someone will be interested to know, but I never talk about it. I have many other aspects in which I can be of interest to my fans and listeners and in general to people who know something about me. Talking about personal life is clinging to the last “roots”. If you are not interested in anything, then tell me about your personal life. The person you love, only he deserves the right to know that you love him. Why should anyone else know about this? It seems to me that it is much deeper and more correct not to show off your personal life. This is personal life, this is intimate.
– At the concert, Sergei Drobotenko told a story about how you entered a plane with a backpack on your back, which contained an accordion, and joked that it was a parachute, and that you just need to get out a little earlier. Did you hear her?
- Yes, it’s true, there was such a story. Sergei tells it well.
– What is your relationship with him and Full House in general?
– I have good relations with everyone, we are comrades in the shop. Sergei and I have known each other for more than eight years, and for show business this is quite a long time. We constantly communicate, tell us something new, support each other. There are unifying events, for example, “Jurmala”, where we live together in the same hotel for several days and perform at the same venue. By the way, many funny situations happen there. I remember one thing: before going on stage I put on a beautiful blue leather jacket; I had never performed in it before. I’m standing there adjusting the strap on my accordion, pulling my shoulder blades together, and suddenly everything is coming apart along the seam. And from behind Drobotenko’s voice: “Petya, I told you not to buy things at the Cherkizovsky market.” I felt so funny, and a second later I left.
– You play a number of songs that you have “modernized”. Aren't you afraid one day you'll end up in Gordon's studio or someone else's, like the Turetsky Choir, where they'll tell you that you're perverting something great?
– I don’t think that remembering the work of individual composers, bringing it to the public and popularizing it is somehow bad. We have several classical bases: Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, that is, the music on which people learn. But time passes, new composers appear, and the old ones may be forgotten. And I like the interpretations of the Turetsky Choir, because they are a fairly professional group that can afford it. The main thing here is without fanaticism.
– Do you feel your exceptional position among modern Russian musicians?
– Every person is simply obliged to feel their exclusivity. And, honestly, I feel it not because people like my game. There are more important things.
– At the beginning of her stellar career, opera singer Anna Netrebko got a job at the Mariinsky Theater as a cleaner and only then became a soloist of this theater. Why, having already won international competitions, did you work as a cleaner?
– I decided to taste the other side of life. And this helped me become strong and tempered. At that time I was 13 years old. And I wanted independence. I didn’t want to burden my parents with unnecessary requests for money. I knew that it was very difficult for them themselves in those years. After all, these were the infamous 90s, when musicians, if they didn’t change professions, lived their lives you know how. So I became a cleaner. But he did not work in this capacity for long and ended his career in the salon as a senior designer. The salon had aquariums, and I designed them.
– You performed in a comedy program in a duet with Maxim Galkin. Don't want to become a member of a serious music project?
– In my opinion, the duet with Maxim was a good April Fool’s joke. As for serious programs... I have ideas about duets with good cellists and violinists. My dream is to play with a symphony orchestra on television so that the whole country can see it.
– Peter, do fans spoil you with gifts?
– I won’t lie, there are a lot of gifts, but among them there is one that is especially valuable to me. One of my fans made a figurine of Peter Dranga with an accordion. The portrait likeness is amazing! True, she keeps this figurine at home, and posted photographs of it on the website.
– In one of your interviews, you mentioned Remarque’s works among your favorite books. How is this writer close to you?
“He taught me something very important: not to judge people.”
– What do you think is your main shortcoming?
– My main drawback is lack of attention. Not in the sense of attitude towards people, no. And in the sense that it can be difficult for me to concentrate on something for a long time. I have… How can I put this better… I don’t have a very big “attention limit”, and when it runs out, I better just sleep, otherwise it becomes difficult to work.
– It's no secret that you have a lot of fans. What would you wish for them?
– So that next to each of them there will always be a person, when looking at whom her eyes will shine. I wish every woman to feel the most beautiful, needed and protected by love.
