“I wanted to listen without stopping”: the memory of Alexander Kostromin

I finally managed to think and write...

Alexander Nikolaevich Kostromin has passed away.

I tried to remember when I met him in person. And it turned out that in fact it was a very long time ago, on May 17, 1995 at a concert by Alexander Gorodnitsky. I was led backstage and introduced. That's when we first moved the glasses. (I was just going to the town hall at the time.)

The next time happened much later. June 12, 2010. At the same time, I sang with Alexander Nikolaevich in two guitars for the first time.

Then the Dulovskie rallies started for me. And, it seems from the third (or fourth?), when I began to travel with the organizers of the rally, our acquaintance turned into a plane of recognition in the face.

Much has been written about him by his relatives, friends, students. Unfortunately, I didn’t know him very well.

But! I can tell you this: there are people who talk to at least a couple of minutes, I want to listen without stopping. Catch and soak. We talked face to face for only 4-6 days a year. And every time I waited for that communication. A man next to whom it was not just interesting - warm and reliable and calm. That's how I feel. Sasha. Sasha Kostromin. I am glad and proud that I could call him simply by name.

With his passing, there is more room in my world. Empty. And I don't know how to fill it. This place was just for him and for him. And only now do I begin to realize how much it meant to me to see the approval in his eyes. Or, say, handing a nail, just to hear "thank you, Misha.".

He's gone. And my world, like many now, is shaking as well.

We're all going to miss his trustworthiness and just his voice saying, if only on the phone, "Hi." Good to hear you.

Eternal and bright memory for you.

I grieve with everyone.