I had the great good fortune to meet Rostropovich and Vishnevskya after an LPO RFH performance of Britten's War Requiem in (I think) 1983. I never saw hom as a cellist, alas, but did as a conductor several times. Stupidly missed the programme so it's off to the i-player and a hope for a swift repeat.
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"The sound is the handwriting of the conductor" - Bernard Haitink -
I found that film of the Shostakovich 2 premiere absolutely fascinating.Comment
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The suitcase story was quite an eye opener.Comment
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A really great and illuminating film indeed
worth a second viewing
(I wonder if Tim Walker has seen it ? .............. music has nothing to do with politics my ar*e)Comment
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Having just watched it on the iplayer I found it one of the most fascinating and moving musical documentaries I have seen. Congratulations to everyone involved and thank you. I thought of writing a cello concerto around 12 years ago and sending it to Rostropovich. Naturally shyness got the better of me and it never got beyond the preliminary sketch stage. The programme may inspire me to have another look at it, though I expect even if I complete it, it will end up with the rest of my pieces under the bed. I wish I had a fraction of his self-confidence and impulsion as well as his genuine warmth and humanity.Comment
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I wouldn't have wanted to be one of his pupils, though - it sounded terrifying.Comment
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Yes, a very respectful documentary and I also enjoyed the suitcase story, which has all sorts of analogies in other branches of the arts.
I don't know if I'm alone in this, but I got the impression that M.R. never completely recovered from the undermining tactics of the Soviet authorities in the mid-seventies; he looked a completely broken man in that 1974 press conference - and he longed to return 'home', despite all the mega-bucks he was making in the West. Good to know he finally got his wish.Comment
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It's very irritating to have two threads about this programme. I hope this will work as a link to the other thread.
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The threads have been merged, with a redirect to this one.It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.Comment
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Thank you, ff!Comment
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I'll have to find this on the iPlayer. I'm a huge Slava fan.
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What a wonderful film! I want to watch it again immediately!
There were so many moments of the highest intensity - he must have had an entirely different constitution from most people.
I loved Vishnevskaya & the daughters - what a tribe! And I was so glad that they not only paid tribute to his loving friensdship with Britten but also how they managed to recreate those moments from the Cello Symphony - I was in bits
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