Drawing on a wealth of unexplored sources, this biography offers the first comprehensive critical reappraisal of the life and works of Nikolay Myaskovsky. Zuk's account is far removed from Cold War cliches of the regimented Soviet artist or sentimental stereotypes of persecuted genius. 2022 CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title Winner. Drawing on a wealth of unexplored documentation, this biography reappraises the life and work of Nikolay Myaskovsky (1881-1950) - a central figure in twentieth-century Russian musical culture. The story of Myaskovsky's unlikely rise to prominence is an absorbing one. Destined by family tradition for a military career, he was 25 before he could leave the army and devote himself to music. He had just begun to emerge as a young composer of promise when he was called up for active service on Russia's western front in August 1914. On returning to civilian life in 1921, he played a major role in revitalising professional musical activity after the depredations of the Civil War years. His career vividly illustrates the challenges facing artists as they sought to work out a modus vivendi with Soviet power. Zuk's account depicts the composer and his milieu against the backdrop of his turbulent times, examining his involvement with Soviet musical institutions and his relationships with Prokofiev, Shostakovich, and other notable musicians. The portrait is far removed from Cold War cliches of the regimented Soviet artist or sentimental stereotypes of persecuted genius. Myaskovsky emerges as a man who displayed remarkable courage and integrity in the face of many pressures. The book also brings into focus the distinctive nature of Myaskovsky's creative achievement and affirms his stature as a leading symphonist of the era.
Show moreDrawing on a wealth of unexplored sources, this biography offers the first comprehensive critical reappraisal of the life and works of Nikolay Myaskovsky. Zuk's account is far removed from Cold War cliches of the regimented Soviet artist or sentimental stereotypes of persecuted genius. 2022 CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title Winner. Drawing on a wealth of unexplored documentation, this biography reappraises the life and work of Nikolay Myaskovsky (1881-1950) - a central figure in twentieth-century Russian musical culture. The story of Myaskovsky's unlikely rise to prominence is an absorbing one. Destined by family tradition for a military career, he was 25 before he could leave the army and devote himself to music. He had just begun to emerge as a young composer of promise when he was called up for active service on Russia's western front in August 1914. On returning to civilian life in 1921, he played a major role in revitalising professional musical activity after the depredations of the Civil War years. His career vividly illustrates the challenges facing artists as they sought to work out a modus vivendi with Soviet power. Zuk's account depicts the composer and his milieu against the backdrop of his turbulent times, examining his involvement with Soviet musical institutions and his relationships with Prokofiev, Shostakovich, and other notable musicians. The portrait is far removed from Cold War cliches of the regimented Soviet artist or sentimental stereotypes of persecuted genius. Myaskovsky emerges as a man who displayed remarkable courage and integrity in the face of many pressures. The book also brings into focus the distinctive nature of Myaskovsky's creative achievement and affirms his stature as a leading symphonist of the era.
Show moreBeginnings: 1881-1902
Apprenticeship: 1903-1911
Emergence: 1911-1914
War and Revolution: 1914-1917
Aftermath: 1918-1921
Expanding Horizons: 1921-1923
Cross-Currents: 1924-1926
'Sheer Overcoming': 1927-1931
Time of Troubles: 1932-1941
Endurance: 1941-1945
Final Years: 1946-1950
Appendix I: A Note on Recordings
Appendix II: List of Published Works
Bibliography
PATRICK ZUK is Professor of Music at Durham University.
Both in word and in deed, Myaskovsky was truly "the artistic
conscience of Soviet music." How rarely such warm words came his
way during his lifetime. But at long last now, 71 years after his
death, we have a book that reveals how richly deserved they
were.... Zuk has done music lovers an immense service in this book.
In its depth of research, it is far and away the finest study of
its subject, and it stands alongside the best books on Soviet
music: its accounts of the ideological turning points of
Revolution, Cultural Revolution and Socialist Realism are models of
their kind.
*Gramophone*
Nikolay Myaskovsky (1881-1950) and his milieu are masterfully
portrayed by the erudite and scholarly Patrick Zuk in this
monograph which took nearly seven years to complete. It is
comprehensively researched and would be enjoyed by professional
musicians, students and laymen alike.
*Stringendo, Journal of the Australian Strings Association*
In this groundbreaking endeavor, Zuk (Durham Univ., UK) presents an
in-depth biography of Soviet composer Nikolay Myaskovsky . . . .
[T]he first-ever comprehensive and objective study of the man and
his music. This is an important book.
*CHOICE*
Patrick Zuk's [book] is the first-ever substantial scholarly
biography on [Myaskovsky], in any language. . . . A
'setting-the-record straight'-style book would be an achievement in
itself, but Zuk goes beyond this noble aim, to engage with
prolonged, meticulous archival work. . . . The volume is not only
'definitive' as an essential resource for anyone interested in
Myaskovsky, but sets a benchmark against which any future archival
work will be measured. . . . Overall, this volume is indispensable
for any researcher of Russian and Soviet music.
*Music & Letters*
Nikolay Myaskovsky (1881-1950) and his milieu are masterfully
portrayed by the erudite and scholarly Patrick Zuk in this
monograph which took nearly seven years to complete. It is
comprehensively researched and would be enjoyed by professional
musicians, students and laymen alike.
*AUSTA Stringendo*
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