NEW SHOSTAKOVICH dmitri russian composer soviet music

ISBN 1872180418

Size = 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" Tall

This is a really fresh approach to the life and works of the great Russian composer - the first extended one since Solomon Volkov's highly controversial Testimony 10 years ago, which showed Shostakovich (1906-1975), apparently in his own words, to have been an unhappy rebel against Stalinism. MacDonald, an English musicologist and composer, goes even further. Taking the Volkov quotes as his base, and armed with an extensively researched examination of the ups and downs of Soviet cultural life during the 50 years of the composer's maturity, he constructs a version of Shostakovich as a combination of agonized introvert, profound cynic and "holy fool"; and, more importantly, portrays his music as a vast and skillful evocation of a creative artist profoundly at odds with his society. Such extremely subjective interpretations of the symphonies and chamber works are certainly unusual - and MacDonald's scornful comments on some Western critics suggest he has a hefty axe to grind - but there is no doubt that his extended essays on such controversial works as, say, the 4th, 8th and 12th symphonies and the 5th and 8th quartets, break new ground. This is a book full of revelations for those interested in Shostakovich, or, indeed, in Soviet cultural history.

339 pages. Hard cover with UNCLIPPED dust jacket. Ex-Library, very much cleaner & better than usual.

Weight = 800 g

BOOK / DUST JACKET CONDITION = VERY GOOD / VERY GOOD

NEW: This book has been designated by the seller as brand new.

FINE: No defects, little usage. Older books may show minor flaws.

VERY GOOD: Shows some signs of wear and is no longer fresh. Attractive.

GOOD: Average used book with all pages present. Possible loose bindings, highlighting, cocked spine or torn dust jackets.

FAIR: Obviously well-worn, but no text pages missing. May be without endpapers or title page. Markings do not interfere with readability.

POOR: All text is legible but may be soiled and have binding defects. Reading copies and binding copies fall into this category.