Ion Suruceanu – Moldovan Legend

One of the brightest stars of the Moldovan musical culture is the singer and national artist Ion Suruceanu. There is probably no man or woman in the republic that has not heard Suruceanu’s slightly husky voice interpreting the songs many of us grew up on. In the 34 years of his singing career he has traveled extensively, including the US, Turkey, Italy, and Greece in his tours. A song from the heart is what drew the audience to his concerts.

Welcome: Mr. Suruceanu, you are one of the most popular old-timers of the Moldovan pop music. What is the secret of your success?

Answer: It was always a big happiness for me to sing for the people. I love every single person that comes to my concerts and they return these feelings. When I come out on stage, I always try to remember that the audience is just like me: every single person is a professional in his or her own field – a lawyer, a businessman or a sportsman. I am a professional in music that is why I understand that in our difficult times when somebody attends a concert they expect to leave every negative emotion outside the concert hall and get recharged with positive feelings. As a singer I have to bring people happiness. I have never suffered from arrogance in my position even though for many artists the stage is one and a half meters above the seats when they become cold stars. I don’t like the word star at all. However if people choose to call me that, I prefer to be a star that is radiant with warmth and sunshine and warms the soul of the audience. That is the main reason why I am still on stage.

Many people believe that a singer needs charm more than a good voice. What do you think about this?

I think a singer must have a good voice otherwise others simply won’t hear him. But it is also important to invest a part of your own self in the song and strive to sing through the heart. My favorite singer Tom Jones would probably add good looks to the prerequisites mentioned above. The audience likes to watch well-dressed artists. Personally I don’t like contemporary hippy artists that come out on stage in expensive ragged clothes. I think it shows a lack of respect for the audience.

When did the love for performing on stage and the ability to demonstrate your talent begin?

Some artists say that they came out on stage as early as four. I have always loved music but never seriously considered a singing career. In my small pretty village Suruceni many people sang. This and the beautiful nature, the bright sun and the air of my home country contributed to my development. Our parents used to sing in a church choir. One of my brothers took up sports and my other brother went to study music in college. Under their joint influence I first tried sports and then transferred to music school.

What is your favorite sport?

I like football very much: one of my favorite singers Julio Iglesias used to play it. As a young man I used to play it too. We had two teams: the artists’ team and the members of parliament team. Maybe that is why I called my band Real in honor of my favorite team Real where Julio used to play. Nowadays tennis is en vogue. Even though my achievements in this type of sport are rather minor I like to play it with friends in my leisure time.

What musical instrument did you choose at college?

A very uncommon classical instrument – the fagot. I wanted to be on stage. I used to get up very early and walked the streets of Chisinau with an unsurpassed desire to sing. At seven I was in college in an empty classroom singing out of the repertoire of Mark Bernes and Muslim Magomaev. My favorite song was The Best City on Earth. In the afternoon I studied and in the evening enjoyed listening to the radio. Dana Spataru on Melodii Preferate (Favorite Melodies) was always very much anticipated by me.

When did your debut take place?

This has a lot to do with pure chance. I remember New Year’s Eve in 1967 when I was invited by members of Noroc to sing a couple of songs. Back then Valentin Goga was the drummer, Alexandru Cazacu – the guitarist and Valentin Dinga was on the key instruments. I was in seventh heaven. I had a warm welcome and the manager of Noroc ensemble asked me to sing for them.

In those days Italian singer Adriano Celentano was very popular. You were called the Moldovan Celentano. How did you react to that?

This constantly obliged me to upgrade my professionalism but I never blindly imitated Celentano. I haven’t interpreted any of his songs throughout my entire career. Every single singer must have his own unique voice. I wanted to be heard over the radio and I wanted people to tell the difference between my voice and his. The similarity to Celentano was also due to the melodiousness of the Moldovan tongue that has common roots with Italian. Back then it was mostly folklore ensembles that toured the country so I was one of the first to start singing about love. In those texts there are a lot of words similar to Italian and that may be why when I performed in Odessa many mistook me for an Italian.

Were you lucky in your singing career?

There were many happy moments of course. In 1983, for example, I was invited to host the With a Song Through Life show on television that was being recorded in Moldova and broadcast on Russian ORT. Galina Soldatova, musical director of the show, picked my voice out of numerous Moldovan singer phonograms. I was singing Asta Seara (This Evening) composed by Ian Raitburg with text put together by Grigore Vieru. Thanks to this song I became known all over the former Soviet Union. But my way was not all rose petals. Despite full house concerts and growing popularity I had to wait for 18 years for the Honorable Artist of Moldova title. Of course I was very happy about the appreciation of the public but official acknowledgement on the part of my home country was important too. I did not want to beg for it however. In 1985 I received the title, which helped me experience an amazing creative boost and joyous moments. I thought that if it took 18 years of singing to get the Honorable Artist title it would take forever to be the National Artist. So I was very much surprised when after five years I was decorated with it. If the Soviet Union hadn’t fallen apart I could have received the People’s Artist of the USSR title as well. Unfortunately that did not happen. But after all, the biggest prize for a singer is the love of his audience. I began to be recognized on the streets of Chisinau.

Does popularity help or impede when you are an artist?

It became absolutely impossible to ride in public transport. Fans would point at me saying, “There is Ion Suruceanu, the singer.” I had people come up to me with declarations of love asking for autographs. Understanding it all I never turned down a request for an autograph. It’s nice when in the shop you don’t have to wait in the queue and when a policeman doesn’t grumble but smiles. Popularity has never been a heavy burden for me.

Mr. Suruceanu, you are a sociable type of person and have been friends with many government people. Did you ever feel dizzy with such influential connections?

Friendship has always been sacred to me. I never intended to start friendship with useful people. I was born to bring goodwill, which is probably present in every human being. There is more goodwill than evil. Choosing my friends I never thought about their positions and jobs. I will remember the people that helped me in life with a kind word or a kind deed.

What were your relations like with former President Petru Lucinschi?

We have been good friends since youth. In 1986 being in a leading governmental position Mr. Lucinschi personally invited Ecou ensemble and me to the Friendship of Nations Festival. We were introduced as guests from Moldova and performed well. After the concert in a casual conversation I told him about the fact that I wasn’t permitted to establish my own ensemble back home in Moldova. He helped me resolve this problem using his own connections and Real with which I toured for a long time was created.

What is your opinion of the performance of current President Vladimir Voronin?

I approve of his care for the simple people: recently pensions to military retirees, teachers and doctors were raised. I want to believe that he will also remember the people involved in the cultural development of Moldova and will secure a respectable living for them. They have done a lot to improve the image of our little country.

What do you think about artists being members of political parties and pursuing careers in that field of activity calling on constituents to vote for them?

I can’t judge anybody because artists too have children that have to be fed, educated and properly dressed. They have little opportunity to make good money pursuing their line of work so they agree to politics. When I was younger I participated in similar campaigns, supporting Mircea Snegur in 1991, for example, because no politician can gain the support of as many people as a singer can have at just one concert. But many are dishonest calling to vote for one politician one day and for another – the next because according to them money doesn’t smell. I have never traded my views; that is why when Petru Lucinschi offered me to be in charge of his presidential campaign I honestly explained why I could not do it. Luckily he understood this and we remained good friends. Joining these complex political games an artist loses his audience, who can say later on that they have been cheated when asked to vote for a particular leader because this leader hadn’t paid out a salary. Next time somebody might not show up for a concert. I have always tried to keep my good name which took years to establish.

For four years you were an MP and vice-president of the Commission for Culture. How can your participation in politics be explained?

In 1993 I retired. A year thence the leaders of the Agrarian Democratic Party offered me the MP position. I sincerely hoped that as a parliament member I could help improve things for artists in Moldova.

Have you really contributed to making improvements? Who have you helped?

As an MP I managed to get two apartments: one for the widow of Lautarii ensemble musician Valeri Hangan and the other one for Anatoli Bivol. I worked on awarding honorable titles to artists Anastasia Istrati, Teodora Negara and others.

You have often held concerts in Transnistria and even though many of our artists come from those parts they have forgotten their homeland.

I am a patriot and a pacifist. I have always opposed war and opted for peace and friendship among the different people inhabiting Moldova. I took on the complicated mission of reconciling two brothers. After the concert in Transnistria I met with many people: politicians, workers, and farmers and we talked about how important peace is for Moldova. Let the cannons remain silent and the muses speak.

What composers and poets have you cooperated with?

There are dozens of names. With great pleasure I interpret the songs by Ian Raiburg, Petru Teodorovici, Anatoli Chiriac, and Mihai Dolgan with texts compiled by Dumitru Matcovschi, Ianos Turcan, and Grigore Vieru. In my repertoire there are also songs by Russian composers. I have successfully performed with Russian singer Ekaterina Shavrina in Moscow.

How many CDs have you released?

To tell the truth I haven’t counted. But I plan to compile a new CD with the best songs for my 35th anniversary of singing career.

You are always elegantly dressed. It has been ascertained that you prefer Moldovan clothes to foreign manufacturing. Some say that your wife chooses your suits for you and others maintain that you have several wives.

I only have one and for the rest of my life it is Nadia. We’ve known each other since high school but people like to make up legends about artists. I have always been very serious about my family, my home front where I find comfort, warmth and understanding. Nadia had sacrificed many things when she decided to create a peaceful life for me. All the time I listen to her advice, and she chooses my suits as well as my ties and shoes. My clothes are made by excellent Moldovan designers Alexandru Plucei and Eugen Laptedulce. On the whole I prefer Moldovan clothes to imported ones.

Can we expect to see another Suruceanu singing in the future?

My only son Andrei has not followed my footsteps. Maybe this was for the better because the life of an artist is constant traveling. He graduated from the Academy of Economic Studies and, being fluent in English, is currently employed in an American firm. He got married and now we have two families in our home. I love my son very much and maybe my grandchildren will give me joy with their musical talent.

Many artists like Angela Bucico have migrated abroad in search of better opportunities. During your tours have you ever considered staying in the US for good?

I have been many times to America. My old friend Ian Raiburg has moved there as well. Hundreds of Moldovans that used to attend my concerts have emigrated there. But nostalgia is an awful feeling which can spoil any heaven. Abroad there are difficulties of a different kind but it is true that you can find a decent job however. The pay is obviously better than in Moldova. I travel to make some money and then come back home. My roots, my family, and my audience are all here. Cut the roots of a tree and it will dry out.

What would you like to wish the readers of Welcome magazine in the New Year?

I would like life to be better in Moldova, prosperity and well-being to fill every home, mutual understanding to reign among parents and children and love to be beautiful and sincere. Pure love is the foundation of family happiness; it helps overcome all hardships. In the New Year I would like to wish much happiness to the people of Moldova.