Vospominaniia: stranitsy zhizni i tvorchestva

Memoirs: Pages from the Life and Works of Fedor Druzhinin by Fedor Druzhinin. English language translation Paperback: 300 pages Publisher: Museum Graeco Latinum (2015). Violist Druzhinin replaced Borisovsky as violist of the Beethoven Quartet in 1964. The book relates countless memories of Shostakovich, Schnittke, Igor Stravinsky, Maria Yudina, Anna Akhmatova and colleagues of the Beethoven Quartet, among others. A typical member of the Russian intelligentsia, his spiritual benevolence was inseparable from his dedication to music, creativity and beauty. Druzhinin's solo recitals would be remembered by all who heard them. For many years his marvellous instrument could be heard in the glorious Beethoven Quartet and in other ensembles whose members included celebrated national cultural figures. Like his idol, D. D. Shostakovich, F. S. Druzhinin provides 'sketches for a portrait' of each musician in these memoirs. Shostakovich valued and encouraged Druzhinin in another musical sphere: as a composer. Fedor Druzhinin is considered a master of chamber music, both instrumental and choral Teaching was the fourth sphere in which Druzhinin exercised his artistic talents. Fedor Serafimovich was a professor at the Moscow Conservatory for more than thirty years. Druzhinin's classes fostered talented artists who went on to win first prizes in international competitions. Conservatories in France, Italy, Switzerland, England, Finland, Poland and Germany invited Druzhinin to give master classes and to lecture on the interpretation of Russian Music. Anyone who has heard Druzhinin's inspirational playing or who knows his compositions will read this book with great interest.