Shostakovich

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating collection of personal recollections
Review: This is a fascinating and important collection of recollections of Shostakovich by people who knew him in a variety of settings and over many years. It amply confirms the jist of Volkov's "Memoirs" and of Ian MacDonald' s excellent 1990 biography.

Rating:
Summary: Not Quite Enough
Review: This is a good book, but perhaps not a great book. An affectionate book, yet a book that seems somehow to hold itself distant from its subject, Dmitri Shostakovich. Probably those not familiar with Shostakovich's life will find in this book a comprehensive study of the composer and his milieu; written in a 'round-table' style that utilises scores of reminiscences and contributions from artists and friends who knew Shostakovich, a complete enough picture is given of who Shostakovich was, yet, for me, something is missing. For all its massiveness, its wealth of information, its affection, the author seems incapable of revealing the essence of Shostakovich's life and work; the telling of someone's life, and a genuine expression of the meaning of that life are distinctly different things. For all the controversy surrounding Shostakovich's "Testimony" (most of it unbearably inconsequential), and despite its thinness compared to this giant tome, it nonetheless is a book alive with the presence of Shostakovich, something glaringly missing from this effort. This is a warm book, but perhaps not a true enough one to do justice to one of the greatest composers, certainly the greatest symphonist, of the twentieth century. For those of us fortunate enough to find ourselves Shostakovich addicts, Shostaholics, as it were, this well-made book is simply not enough- not true enough, not close enough, not intense enough an experience to match our love of this man's imcomparable music.

Rating:
Summary: Not enough for a Shostaholic!
Review: This is a good book, but perhaps not a great book. An affectionate book, yet a book that seems somehow to hold itself distant from its subject, Dmitri Shostakovich. Probably those not familiar with Shostakovich's life will find in this book a comprehensive study of the composer and his milieu; written in a 'round-table' style that utilises scores of reminiscences and contributions from artists and friends who knew Shostakovich, a complete enough picture is given of who Shostakovich was, yet, for me, something is missing. For all its massiveness, its wealth of information, its affection, the author seems incapable of revealing the essence of Shostakovich's life and work; the telling of someone's life, and a genuine expression of the meaning of that life are distinctly different things. For all the controversy surrounding Shostakovich's "Testimony" (most of it unbearably inconsequential), and despite its thinness compared to this giant tome, it nonetheless is a book alive with the presence of Shostakovich, something glaringly missing from this effort. This is a warm book, but perhaps not a true enough one to do justice to one of the greatest composers, certainly the greatest symphonist, of the twentieth century. For those of us fortunate enough to find ourselves Shostakovich addicts, Shostaholics, as it were, this well-made book is simply not enough- not true enough, not close enough, not intense enough an experience to match our love of this man's imcomparable music.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating collection of personal recollections
Review: This is one of the most enjoyable, intimate biographies available. Ms. Wilson provides an excellent well rounded portrait of Shostakovich with a balanced mix of politics, music etc. Many interviews and other excerpts provide enhanced credibility and perspective. Highly recommended. Rex Stewart

Rating:
Summary: Excellent, Intimate, Readable, Enjoyable
Review: This is one of the most enjoyable, intimate biographies available. Ms. Wilson provides an excellent well rounded portrait of Shostakovich with a balanced mix of politics, music etc. Many interviews and other excerpts provide enhanced credibility and perspective. Highly recommended. Rex Stewart

Rating:
Summary: A Life Understood Through the Eyes of Others
Review: We have too easily forgotten that sport, art, music, science and dance were all sites where Cold War battles were fought. The deprivations of post-Revolution Leningrad combined with the Stalinist years worked to drive the naturally introverted, intense and secretive Shostakovich even more into himself.

This has made Shostakovich a fascinating topic for biographers, speculators and ideologues of all kinds. In addition, we also overlook the fact that musicians will by nature reveal themselves most fully in their art. So if we wish to understand the "real" Shostakovich, we need to turn to his music.

Given these reflections, I found this to be an informative, insightful and moving book. The technique of breathing life into the man through the eyes of others - from his Godmother to neighbours, conductors and family - built a unique multi-level picture of the man underneath the many myths. Will we ever know him fully? Probably no more than we know Shakespeare or Rembrandt both of whose art rises above their particular context.

Finally, I am greatful to Wilson because her book acted to drive me back to the music. I have since returned to Shostakovich's symphonies, chamber music and even the jazz suites with new love and energy. Well worth reading.

Rating:
Summary: A Life Understood Through the Eyes of Others
Review: We have too easily forgotten that sport, art, music, science and dance were all sites where Cold War battles were fought. The deprivations of post-Revolution Leningrad combined with the Stalinist years worked to drive the naturally introverted, intense and secretive Shostakovich even more into himself.

This has made Shostakovich a fascinating topic for biographers, speculators and ideologues of all kinds. In addition, we also overlook the fact that musicians will by nature reveal themselves most fully in their art. So if we wish to understand the "real" Shostakovich, we need to turn to his music.

Given these reflections, I found this to be an informative, insightful and moving book. The technique of breathing life into the man through the eyes of others - from his Godmother to neighbours, conductors and family - built a unique multi-level picture of the man underneath the many myths. Will we ever know him fully? Probably no more than we know Shakespeare or Rembrandt both of whose art rises above their particular context.

Finally, I am greatful to Wilson because her book acted to drive me back to the music. I have since returned to Shostakovich's symphonies, chamber music and even the jazz suites with new love and energy. Well worth reading.