Reminiscences of RimskyKorsakov by V. V. Yastrebtsev [Hardcover]

Florence Jonas (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

As Gerald Abraham notes in the foreword, Yastrebtsev was no Boswell and Rimsky-Korsakov no Johnson, yet Yastrebtsev has left in his Reminiscences a rich account of the last 16 years of his teacher and idol's life. Yastrebtsev's chronicle is unique in the literature about composers, especially for its insights about late 19th-century Russian musical life. Compiler Jonas has done it full justice. Her selection of items seems judicious (in the original, the Reminiscences fill about 1000 pages), and her translation is clear and even elegant. Her explanatory notes are indispensable. Highly recommended for established collections. Allen B. Skei, Music Dept., California State Univ., Fresno

Copyright 1985 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Language Notes

Text: English, Russian (translation)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 578 pages
• Publisher: Columbia University Press (October 15, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 023105260X
• ISBN-13: 978-0231052603
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,301,771 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another's Musical Life, December 11, 2000

By 

Patrick Yamada (Orange, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reminiscences of RimskyKorsakov by V. V. Yastrebtsev (Hardcover)

After one reads Rimsky's autobiography _My Musical Life_, there isn't much left in English translation for those who want to know more about one of the greatest Russian composers. Thank God for Yatrebtsev. Yastrebtsev's biography provides a wealth of information Rimsky did not remember (since he wrote his autobiography years after the events happened), remembered incorrectly, or chose to omit.

_Reminiscences of Rimsky-Korsakov_ may well be unique in that it is a day by day record of Rimsky's words and deeds. I enjoyed the refreshing immediacy of Yastrebtsev's first-hand accounts of his visits with Rimsky not only for the candid comments, but also for an intimate look into the composer's daily habits. Their conversations help the student of Rimsky to put his works in context, for Rimsky and Yastrebtsev discussed others' works along with his own. It is a must-have for the student of Rimsky-Korsakov or of late 19th century Russian music in general.