- Hardcover: 392 pages
- Publisher: Indiana University Press (31 Mar 2004)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 025334364X
- ISBN-13: 978-0253343642
- Product Dimensions: 24.7 x 15.7 x 3.3 cm
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,063,637 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Description
Review
"The book ... includes ... valuable essays and interviews, which move beyond the scholarly controversy to sketch a nuanced picture of Shostakovich's life under a totalitarian regime... The 'Casebook' contributors compellingly warn of replacing one mask with another, one black-and-white myth with its simple inversion." --New York Times "... an important and readable collection... It presents a devastating critique of Volkov's claims and scholarly practices in Testimony." --New York Review of Books "The book ... includes ... valuable essays and interviews, which move beyond the scholarly controversy to sketch a nuanced picture of Shostakovich's life under a totalitarian regime... The "Casebook" contributors compellingly warn of replacing one mask with another, one black-and-white myth with its simple inversion."-- New York Times "...an important and readable collection... It presents a devastating critique of Volkov's claims and scholarly practices in Testimony ." --New York Review of Books "...this book achieves what it sets out to do ... As a work of scholarship, it is consistently first-rate." --CAML Review "The entire Casebook consists of essays focusing directly or indirectly on Testimony, and almost all destroy Volkov's credibility with compelling authority." --New Leader "What a pleasure to read so many intelligent essays." --American Record Guide "[A Shostakovich Casebook] presents the views of respected individuals, some of whom knew Dmitri Dmitrievich personally. I believe their opinions are very important, and I am grateful for their publication in this book." -- Mstislav Rostropovich "A Shostakovich Casebook is more then than merely the latest salvo to be fired in the 'Shostakovich Wars'. It is the decisive knockout punch, and deserves a place on the bookshelf of those who want to learn about Shostakovich's music, life and times."--S.E.E.R., 85, 1, 2007
Product Description
In 1979, the alleged memoirs of legendary composer Dmitry Shostakovich (1906-1975) were published as "Testimony: The Memoirs of Dmitry Shostakovich As Related to and Edited by Solomon Volkov". Since its appearance, however, "Testimony" has been the focus of controversy in Shostakovich studies as doubts were raised concerning its authenticity and the role of its editor, Volkov, in creating the book. "A Shostakovich Casebook" presents 25 essays, interviews, newspaper articles, and reviews - many newly available since the collapse of the Soviet Union - that review the 'case' of Shostakovich.In addition to authoritatively reassessing Testimony's genesis and reception, the authors in this book address issues of political influence on musical creativity and the role of the artist within a totalitarian society. Internationally known contributors include Richard Taruskin, Laurel E. Fay, and Irina Antonovna Shostakovich, the composer's widow. This volume combines a balanced reconsideration of the "Testimony" controversy with an examination of what the controversy signifies for all music historians, performers, and thoughtful listeners. Malcolm Hamrick Brown is founding editor of the series "Russian Music Studies". From the time of his first extended stay in Moscow in 1962, he has been continuously involved in teaching, researching, lecturing, writing, and publishing on Russian and Soviet music.
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The recent publication in the West of an apparently "authorized" memoir by Dmitri Shostakovich has created an uproar which extends well beyond the musical community. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
The recent publication in the West of an apparently "authorized" memoir by Dmitri Shostakovich has created an uproar which extends well beyond the musical community. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
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4 reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Agreement
11 April 2007
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I write only to second the first two reviews and bring the debate up to date. When 'Testimony' first appeared in 1979, the naive political attack of the then Soviet union obscured the more profound criticism of those who knew Shostakovich well - namely, their incredulity that a personality as complex and secretive as Shostakovich was would ever have revealed himself to such a degree to a comparative stranger. Volkov did not help his cause by refusing to disclose the bulk of the transcript for many years.
But when he finally he did so, it turned out that his practical reasons for keeping the ms. to himself were correct - for inspection revealed such obvious indications that Shostakovich had by no means endorsed the book as to end the controversy and Volkov's reputation with it. This analysis is detailed in the Shostakovich Casebook, and also in the Bard Festival handbook. The material is not at all dry, but quite interesting to people wondering how working historials and biographers actually do business.
It is worth noting, however, that even the harshest critics acknowledge the enormous service 'Testimony' performed to Shostakovich, in presenting the West with a different image of the man than simply genius-cum-party-hack. It caused many people (myself, for example) to take a look at a musical accomplishment that was prodigious by any standard. The revitalized interest in DDS's chamber music, songs, and what were once considered his minor works, has led to a massive and long overdue appreciation of a towering musical genius. Volkov is owed a debt of gratitude for that that no one denies.
But when he finally he did so, it turned out that his practical reasons for keeping the ms. to himself were correct - for inspection revealed such obvious indications that Shostakovich had by no means endorsed the book as to end the controversy and Volkov's reputation with it. This analysis is detailed in the Shostakovich Casebook, and also in the Bard Festival handbook. The material is not at all dry, but quite interesting to people wondering how working historials and biographers actually do business.
It is worth noting, however, that even the harshest critics acknowledge the enormous service 'Testimony' performed to Shostakovich, in presenting the West with a different image of the man than simply genius-cum-party-hack. It caused many people (myself, for example) to take a look at a musical accomplishment that was prodigious by any standard. The revitalized interest in DDS's chamber music, songs, and what were once considered his minor works, has led to a massive and long overdue appreciation of a towering musical genius. Volkov is owed a debt of gratitude for that that no one denies.
12 of 16 people found the following review helpful
A Reply to Tim Page
1 Feb 2006
Format:Hardcover
I've never posted a review before, but I can't allow the above "editorial review" to go unanswered. I don't understand how, after reading Laurel Fay's article in this book, there could possibly be a sliver of doubt in anybody's mind that Testimony is a massive fraud.
While I agree that the view of Dmitri Shostakovich as a loyal communist is naive and simplistic, the view espoused by Testimony is at least as much so. The veracity of the portrait of Shostakovich presented in Testimony is, at least, open to questions. The authenticity of the book itself has been demolished by Laurel Fay's excellent detective work. There can no longer be any doubt that what Shostakovich affixed his signature to was a collection of previously published writings. The departure from these earlier texts comes, in every single case, immediately following the end of the page which has been signed. There could not be any clearer evidence that the authentification of the book was carried out under false pretenses.
Mr. Page draws attention to the agressive tone and the sometimes-monotonous focus of A Shostakovich Casebook. Publishing this kind of jeremiad wouldn't be necessary if Western journalists didn't persist in their stubborn refusal to acknowledge that Testimony, whatever its merits may be, was written by Solomon Volkov without the help of Dmitri Shostakovich.
--<A HREF="http://web.mit.edu/jikatz/www">Jonah I. Katz</A>
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
While I agree that the view of Dmitri Shostakovich as a loyal communist is naive and simplistic, the view espoused by Testimony is at least as much so. The veracity of the portrait of Shostakovich presented in Testimony is, at least, open to questions. The authenticity of the book itself has been demolished by Laurel Fay's excellent detective work. There can no longer be any doubt that what Shostakovich affixed his signature to was a collection of previously published writings. The departure from these earlier texts comes, in every single case, immediately following the end of the page which has been signed. There could not be any clearer evidence that the authentification of the book was carried out under false pretenses.
Mr. Page draws attention to the agressive tone and the sometimes-monotonous focus of A Shostakovich Casebook. Publishing this kind of jeremiad wouldn't be necessary if Western journalists didn't persist in their stubborn refusal to acknowledge that Testimony, whatever its merits may be, was written by Solomon Volkov without the help of Dmitri Shostakovich.
--<A HREF="http://web.mit.edu/jikatz/www">Jonah I. Katz</A>
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Best Shostakovich Book Out There
24 July 2007
Format:Hardcover
This book is so informative. You get many different Shostakovich experts talking about what information exists out there. Incredibly informative about Shostakovich, but also about what information is reliable if you would like to do further research.
I highly, highly recommend this book, before all other Shostakovich materials out there.
I highly, highly recommend this book, before all other Shostakovich materials out there.
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