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Yevgeny Mravinsky: The Noble Conductor
Author(s): Gregor Tassie (Author)
- Publisher: Scarecrow Press (UK)
- Publication Date: 28 Aug. 2005
- Language: English
- Print length: 304 pages
- ISBN-10: 0810854279
- ISBN-13: 9780810854277
Book Description
In these pages, the family history, major formative life events, and the many musical accomplishments of Mravinsky are chronicled, revealing an introverted musician who put all his feelings into his interpretation of the scores he conducted. It was Mravinsky who was largely responsible for introducing the Soviet people in the 20th Century to the music of Debussy, Scriabin, and Stravinsky.
Along with those of Feodor Chalyapin, George Balanchine, Nikolai Cherkasov, and Yuri Grigorovich, Mravinskys life reveals much about the psychology and credo of the artist in the Soviet State. Enriched with rare photographs of Mravinsky in his various milieus, and a helpful chronology and bibliography, this study will be of great significance to students of Russian history, music history, and the creative process.
Editorial Reviews
Review
“This biography is highly recommended for all conductors, students of conducting, musicologists, and for the collections of academic and public libraries with larger music sections. It is a must read for music historians.” —American Reference Books Annual
“…[a] fascinating new biography, which fleshes out our knowledge of one of the most mysterious icons of 20th-century music.” —The Financial Times
“…extensive use of first-hand research and impressive marshalling of Russian-language sources, including material from the conductor’s own diaries…” —Teaching History: A Journal of Methods
“…an extraordinary story of this musical obsessive…” —Classical Music
“Tassie, who has worked in the music world for many years, offers a biography of Russian conductor Yevgeny Mravinsky (1903-1988) that reveals his connection to many prominent musicians. His most notable friendship was with Dmitri Shostakovich, whose music Mravinsky promoted at a time when Shostakovich was being criticized by the Soviet government. In addition to providing insight into the Soviet music world, the book follows Mravinsky’s life and musical career throughout the twentieth century, as conductor with the Leningrad Philharmonic. The book also contains an interview with Andrey Zolotov, a chronology, and a selected discography.” —Reference and Research Book News
…an extraordinary story of this musical obsessive…
…extensive use of first-hand research and impressive marshalling of Russian-language sources, including material from the conductor’s own diaries…
…[a] fascinating new biography, which fleshes out our knowledge of one of the most mysterious icons of 20th-century music.
Tassie, who has worked in the music world for many years, offers a biography of Russian conductor Yevgeny Mravinsky (1903-1988) that reveals his connection to many prominent musicians. His most notable friendship was with Dmitri Shostakovich, whose music Mravinsky promoted at a time when Shostakovich was being criticized by the Soviet government. In addition to providing insight into the Soviet music world, the book follows Mravinsky’s life and musical career throughout the twentieth century, as conductor with the Leningrad Philharmonic. The book also contains an interview with Andrey Zolotov, a chronology, and a selected discography.
This biography is highly recommended for all conductors, students of conducting, musicologists, and for the collections of academic and public libraries with larger music sections. It is a must read for music historians.
