Testimony: The Memoirs of Dmitri Shostakovich as related to and edited by Solomon Volkov - Softcover

Shostakovich, Dmitri

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0571227929 ISBN 13: 9780571227921

Publisher: Faber & Faber, 2005

Synopsis

'A terrifying and unhappy book...' The Guardian

This astounding self-portrait covering the whole of Shostakovich's life (1906-1975) was prepared in collaboration with the distinguished Soviet musicologist Solomon Volkov. With the composer's consent, the manuscript was smuggled out of Soviet Russia - but Shostakovich, fearing reprisals, stipulated that the book should not appear until after his death.

Ever since its publication in 1979 it has been the subject of controversy, some suggesting that Volkov invented parts of it, but most affirming that it revealed a profoundly ambivalent Shostakovich which the world had never seen before - his life at once triumphant and tragic.

Either way, it remains indispensible to an understanding of Shostakovich's life and work. Testimony is intense and fiercely ironic, both plain-spoken and outspoken.

About this title

Review:

"'I do not know of a musician who will not read it with compassion and admiration' Andre Previn"

Synopsis:

With the composer's consent, the manuscript was smuggled out of Soviet Russia - but Shostakovich, fearing reprisals, stipulated that the book should not appear until after his death. Ever since its publication in 1979 it has been the subject of controversy, some suggesting that Volkov invented parts of it, but most affirming that it revealed a profoundly ambivalent Shostakovich which the world had never seen before - his life at once triumphant and tragic. Either way, it remains indispensable to an understanding of Shostakovich's life and work. Testimony is intense and fiercely ironic, both plain-spoken and outspoken.

About this edition

• Publisher: Faber & Faber
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0571227929
• ISBN 13: 9780571227921
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 288
• Editor: Volkov Solomon