Russians on Russian Music, 1830–1880

Tchaikovsky not only composed, he also wrote about music. This substantial anthology of Russian writing on Russian music features the most influential critics of music in nineteenth-century Russia. They wrote on the first two generations of Russian composers from Glinka to Musorgsky, Tchaikovsky and Rimsky-Korsakov. The volume reveals through contemporary Russian eyes how the foundations of the hugely popular Russian classical repertory were laid, providing a vivid picture of the musical life of the opera house and the concert hall from which this repertory sprang. Featuring most extensively the critical writing of Odoyevsky, Serov, Cui and Laroche, the volume contains the first authoritative review of key works, such as Musorgsky's Boris Godunov, Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet and Rimsky-Korsakov's First Symphony.

‘… its value remains unquestionable … a large drop in a very important ocean’.

Source: Musical Times

‘The volume is a pleasure on several levels. Not only does it make engrossing reading for slavicists, but it also fills in a major gap for those whose major background is in music rather than in Russian.’

Peter G. Christensen Source: Slavic and East European Journal

'… this book makes a welcome continuation of Dr Campbell's earlier review of Russian musical criticism … attractively produced and well selected for the variety and significance of the critical pieces. Many of them convey a strong impression of the vitality and, particularly, direction of Russian music at this exciting period in its development.'

Arnold McMillin Source: SEER