At the age of 84, the People's Artist of Russia, pianist, composer, actor, and television host Levon Oganesov has passed away, as reported by RBC citing his daughter Maria Shklower.
Oganesov died on December 13 after a long battle with cancer.
A message later appeared on the artist's social media page stating that the farewell will take place on December 16 in New York, after which he will be buried at Kensico Cemetery.
Levon (or Leonty) Oganesov was born in Moscow on December 25, 1940, and began developing his musical skills at the age of four. He studied at the Central Music School and graduated from the Ippolitov-Ivanov Music College, becoming a multiple winner of piano competitions.
When he turned 18, he replaced the ailing pianist Naum Walter at a concert in the Column Hall of the House of Unions, which marked the beginning of his concert career. He accompanied artists such as Klavdiya Shulzhenko, Kapitalina Lazarenko, Bolshoi Theatre soloist Pavel Lisitsian, as well as Andrei Mironov, Valentina Tolkunova, and Larisa Golubkina. For many years, he collaborated with Joseph Kobzon.
Oganesov was also a co-host of several television shows, including "Club 'White Parrot'," "Hustle Around the Piano," "Life is Beautiful," and "Good Evening with Igor Ugolnikov." He performed at the Satire Theatre in the play "Goodbye, Conductor!" and appeared in films such as Eldar Ryazanov's "The Key to the Bedroom" and Vladimir Potapov's "Dacha for Sale."
