In these conversations with French journalist and critic Claude Samuel, the famous cellist and the esteemed diva tell the dramatic story from their 1955 marriage (four days after meeting!) onward.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
The dynamic personalities of Rostropovich and Vishnevskaya bring these conversations strikingly to life, even in translation 12 years after their original publication in French. Married only four days after meeting, supreme cellist and conductor Rostropovich and Vishnevskaya, opera singer and prima donna of the Bolshoi, personify the ultimate mesh of two brilliant musical personalities. A journalist, critic, and music director of Radio France, Samuel has added a new preface describing the couple's 1990 return to Russia after 16 years of exile. While he does not cover the most recent part of their lives, Samuel does present an excellent portrait of the couple; his conversational talents drew out their provocative thoughts on artistic abilities, icons, Solzhenitsyn, musical interpretation, confidence, religion, composers, Russia, women conductors, instruments, and politics. Recommended for academic and large public libraries.
Kathleen Sparkman, Baylor Univ., Waco, Tex.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Kathleen Sparkman, Baylor Univ., Waco, Tex.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French
Original Language: French
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5.0 out of 5 stars
a true gem,
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This review is from: Mstislav Rostropovich and Galina Vishnevskaya: Russia, Music, and Liberty: Conversations with Claude Samuel (Hardcover)
This is a gem of a book. Claude Samuel's positive gift for illuminating in depth the artists he chooses to interview is well known, and comes of an exacting intelligence and fertile understanding of musical art. His gifts are never wasted with Rostropovich and Vishnevskaya, two of music's genuine luminaries, one might even say heroes. Organised into nine vital sections, the heroic story of these two musical giants is brought to full, pulsing life better than any biography could. One finishes the book with more than details, certainly more than merely important artists' opinions; what emerges is really a trenchant compendium of the history of music's global evolution over the last sixty years. In the beautiful film of Rostropovich's return to Russia, the great musician says to his old Russian friends, "we never betrayed the truth, never said anything that wasn't true!". I was reminded of that moment while reading this invaluable book. These magnificent artists remained free of bitterness by living absolutely in the truth, the truth of the music they served, and the lives they lived. Something indeed to be grateful for. Recommended with fervor and appreciation.
3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Extraordinary story of two extraordinary individuals...,
By A Customer
This review is from: Mstislav Rostropovich and Galina Vishnevskaya: Russia, Music, and Liberty: Conversations with Claude Samuel (Hardcover)
One would be hard pressed to imagine two more successful, accomplished and acknowledged personalities in the music world than Rostropovich and Vishnevskaya. However, few realize how eventful and extraordinary their world has been. A study of this book would be a great enrichment to any individual, regardless of whether they are followers of Rostropovich or not...
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