Customer Reviews

Mstislav Rostropovich and Galina Vishnevskaya: Russia, Music, and Liberty: Conversations with Claude Samuel

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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.

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...