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Oksana Grigorieva

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Oksana Grigorieva

Oksana Grigorieva (born 1970) is a Russian pianist and singer-songwriter. She was born in Saransk, Russia, and raised in Ukraine. She studied music in Moscow and completed conservatoire studies in Kazan, before moving to London. After studying music at the Royal Academy of Music, she moved to the United States, with periods spent living in New York and Los Angeles, California. She taught music in the U.S., and patented a technique of teaching musical notation to children.

Grigorieva gained attention as a songwriter in 2006, after the song that she wrote, "Un Dia Llegara", became popular on the Josh Groban album, Awake. In 2009, Grigorieva's music album Beautiful Heartache was released; Mel Gibson served as executive producer. The album featured a collaboration with Charlie Midnight. Beautiful Heartache was well-received, with positive reception from Reuters and ABC News.

Early life

Grigorieva was born Oksana Chernuha in Saransk, Russia on February 25, 1970.[1][2][3] Her parents were both music professors.[1][4] She grew up in Ukraine,[5] and at the age of 15 moved to Moscow to attend university in order to learn piano.[1][5] She said of the experience learning music as a child, "Diplomas were everything. It wasn't unusual for students to play ten hours a day. Our skin would start to crack. We'd literally have bleeding fingers."[1] Grigorieva finished conservatoire studies in Kazan.[1]

She moved to London where she continued her studies and taught music to others.[1] Grigorieva studied music at the Royal College of Music.[5] While in London she worked as a model;[1] having been spotted by photographer Patrick Anson, 5th Earl of Lichfield.[4] Grigorieva noted, "In order to support myself I started to model. I did a lot of it, print, mostly. I've always looked after myself. I've never been dependent on anyone financially."[1] Grigorieva subsequently moved to the United States, and spent time living in New York and Los Angeles, California.[1] She taught music in the U.S., and patented a technique of teaching musical notation to children.[1][4] Grigorieva composed and performed music, and produced works for theatre and advertisements.[1]

Music career

Grigorieva gained attention as a songwriter in 2006, after the song that she wrote, "Un Dia Llegara", became popular on the Josh Groban album, Awake.[4][6][7] Las Vegas Review-Journal highlighted "Un Dia Llegara" in particular in a review of Groban's album Awake, commenting, "Groban's most effective tunes tend to be his most unadorned, when he favors understatement over ostentation, such as on the flickering piano ballad 'Lullaby' or the tremulous slow burn of 'Un Dia Llegara,' with its touches of flamenco guitar."[8] Prior to singing "Un Dia Llegara" at a 2007 live performance, the song was "endorsed as a beauty" by Groban, in a statement to his fans.[9] In a review of Awake, the Philippine Daily Inquirer called "Un Dia Llegara" an "outstanding track".[10] Fred Shuster of Daily News of Los Angeles reviewed the album, and commented, "The gorgeous 'Un Dia Llegara,' opening with a sweep of guitar, sets the mood for romantic highlights to come".[11]

In 2009, Grigorieva's music album Beautiful Heartache was released; Mel Gibson served as executive producer.[1] The album includes 11 tracks, and features a cover of the Russian song "Dark Eyes" and a collaboration with Charlie Midnight.[12] Beautiful Heartache was marketed as "grown-up, piano-led pop, heavy on classical motifs".[1] Grigorieva wrote the entire album, save for the song "Say My Name", which was co-written with Gibson.[13] "Say My Name" was included in the 2010 film, Edge of Darkness.[14] The song "Angel" was named for her son with Timothy Dalton, Alexander.[13] ABC News reported that Beautiful Heartache garnered the singer "rave reviews" from music critics.[15] Reuters commented of the album, "'Beautiful Heartache' features a collection of wistful love songs, blending shimmering string arrangements with pop and jazz-influenced arrangements that showcase Grigorieva's soulful voice."[6] In a review of the album, Jack Foley of IndieLondon gave it a rating of 4 out of 5, and observed, "throughout, she displays a keen ear for melody, for honest emotional simplicity and classic values. She’s well worth taking the time to check out".[16]

Personal life

Grigorieva was married in 1989 for 3 months to Russian lawyer Igor Baranov.[17] In 1992, she married British artist Nicholas Rowland.[4][18][19] She had a relationship with actor Timothy Dalton, and the two married in 1997.[20] Grigorieva met Dalton while she was employed as a translator for filmmaker Nikita Mikhalkov.[4] Dalton and Grigorieva had a son together, Alexander.[1][20]

Grigorieva was romantically involved with actor Mel Gibson,[21] and their daughter Lucia was born on October 30, 2009.[22] The couple separated in 2010.[23] In June 2010, Grigorieva obtained a restraining order against Gibson, stating he had physically assaulted her.[24] Gibson was barred from coming near Grigorieva or their daughter.[25] In July 2010, Gibson was identified as a possible suspect in a domestic violence investigation initiated after detectives spoke in Malibu to Grigorieva.[26][27] Grigorieva and Gibson are involved in a child custody dispute involving their daughter in a confidential court case in 2010.[26][27]

Discography

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Machell 2009.
  2. ^ Evstigneeva, Natalia (August 12, 2003). "James Bond's Russian bride". Music.co.uk. Pravda.
  3. ^ Grigorieva, Oksana (2010). "I'm turning 40 on February 25!". Facebook. Facebook.com. Retrieved 2010-09-04.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Serpe 2010.
  5. ^ a b c Palmer 2009.
  6. ^ a b Zeidler 2009.
  7. ^ "Fascinating fact". World Entertainment News Network. England: Comtex. August 11, 2009.
  8. ^ Bracelin, Jason (April 9, 2007). "Big talent, high sap content". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Nevada. p. 2B.
  9. ^ Bialczak, Mark (February 19, 2007). "Josh Groban keeps his fans satisfied". The Post-Standard. The Herald Company. p. B3.
  10. ^ Asilo, Rito P. (November 25, 2006). "Josh Groban, Julio Iglesias break new ground in latest albums". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Philippines. p. 1.
  11. ^ Shuster, Fred (November 10, 2006). "Sound Check — Josh Groban — Awake". Daily News of Los Angeles. Los Angeles, California. p. U23.
  12. ^ John, Lauren (August 23, 2009). "Oksana Grigorieva Album Review". Music.co.uk. www.music.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-07-11.
  13. ^ a b Daily Mail Reporter 2009.
  14. ^ "Gibson's baby already a music lover". Metro.co.uk. www.metro.co.uk. October 26, 2009. Retrieved 2010-07-10.
  15. ^ "Oksana Grigorieva Breaks Onto the Music Scene". ABC News. ABC. August 13, 2009. Retrieved 2010-07-10. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  16. ^ Foley, Jack (2010). "Oksana Grigorieva — Beautiful Heartache". IndieLondon. www.indielondon.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-07-10.
  17. ^ "Grigorieva's Mother-in-Law: Oksana Threw Me and My Son For Money". www.zhizn.ru. www.zhizn.ru. July 28, 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-04.
  18. ^ "Oksana's Road to Mel" Daily Mail UK, 2 May 2009. [1]
  19. ^ "From Russia with...Four Ex-Husbands and Lovers" Sunday Mirror, 15 June 1997. [2]
  20. ^ a b Riggs 2007.
  21. ^ "Mel Gibson's breakup gets messier". Chicago Tribune. www.chicagotribune.com. 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-10. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help) [dead link‍]
  22. ^ Gina DiNunno. "Mel Gibson's Girlfriend Gives Birth to Baby Girl". TVGuide.com.
  23. ^ Elizabeth Leonard. "Mel Gibson and Oksana Grigorieva Split". People.com.
  24. ^ "Gibson accused of racist, sexist rant". ABC News (Australia). July 2, 2010. Retrieved July 2, 2010.
  25. ^ Pilkington, Ed (July 2, 2010). "Mel Gibson faces flak again after alleged racist rant". The Guardian. London. Retrieved July 2, 2010.
  26. ^ a b McCartney 2010.
  27. ^ a b Vancouver Sun staff 2010.

References

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