Ashkenazy. Beyond Frontiers.

Parrott, Jasper; Ashkenazy, Vladimir

ISBN 10: 000216373X / ISBN 13: 9780002163736

Published by Collins, 1984

About this Item

Hardback in black cloth boards, gilt titles on spine, in Fine condition, dustwrapper also in Fine condition. First edition, SIGNED COPY, pp239, b&w photographs, index. Born the son of musical parents, Ashkenazy was encouraged to work at the piano from a very early age. His talent asserted itself naturally from the start and in many ways it could not have had a better environment in which to develop than Soviet Russia, where anyone who shows promise in any field is seen as an invaluable source of Soviet prestige abroad. However, by the early 1960s, he felt increasingly exploited by and alienated from the system, and decided for the sake of his family and future artistic development that, if the opportunity presented itself, he would have to make his life in the West. The agonising cat-and mouse game with the authorities that ensued is described in chilling detail. Since then, his reputation as a pianist has gone from strength to strength and he has established himself as a conductor of rare ability. He is only too aware, though, that the freedom he enjoys in the West - a freedom so many take for granted - is very fragile, the fascinating insights he gives us into life, and particularly musical life, behind the Iron Curtain throw Western standards into sharp relief, and much of what he says must make us reappraise our attitudes to personal and artistic freedom.

Seller Inventory # 013196

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Ashkenazy. Beyond Frontiers.
• Publisher: Collins
• Publication Date: 1984
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 000216373X
• ISBN 13: 9780002163736
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Fine
• Seller catalogs:
  • Biographies
  • Music

About this title

Synopsis

Born the son of musical parents, Ashkenazy was encouraged to work at the piano from a very early age. His talent asserted itself naturally from the start and in many ways it could not have had a better environment in which to develop than Soviet Russia, where anyone who shows promise in any field is seen as an invaluable source of Soviet prestige abroad. However, by the early 1960s, he felt increasingly exploited by and alienated from the system, and decided for the sake of his family and future artistic development that, if the opportunity presented itself, he would have to make his life in the West. The agonising cat-and mouse game with the authorities that ensued is described in chilling detail. Since then, his reputation as a pianist has gone from strength to strength and he has established himself as a conductor of rare ability. He is only too aware, though, that the freedom he enjoys in the West - a freedom so many take for granted - is very fragile, the fascinating insights he gives us into life, and particularly musical life, behind the Iron Curtain throw Western standards into sharp relief, and much of what he says must make us reappraise our attitudes to personal and artistic freedom.