Sviatoslav Richter on Aaron Copland:"A very interesting composer. I hope to learn his Piano Fantasy, too"
(Source: P.Moor - Photo: Nina Dorliak, Sviatoslav Richter and Aaron Copland. Moscow 1960 © Dorliak/Richter Arch.)
from
A a r o n C o p l a n d' s S o v i e t D i a r y
1 9 6 0
Music Library Association
"N O T E S"
K.Bartig. 2014
[..]
Copland and (Lucas) Foss spent the final two days of the tour in Moscow. The Gnesin Institute, the capital's most prominent musical institution after the Conservatory, was the venue for the fourth and final tour program. Soviet performers dominated the show: Nelli Shkol'nikova and Liubov' Edlina presented Copland's Sonata for Violin and Piano (1943), and the Borodin Quartet offered Foss's String Quartet no. 1 (1947) and Copland's Piano Quartet, the composer joining them as pianist for the latter work. The renowned pianist Sviatoslav Richter filled the second half with Prokofiev's Sixth Piano Sonata.
In his memoirs, Tuch claims that he organized Copland's and Foss's farewell party, again at the Thompson residence. This time, Shostakovich was convinced to attend; Khrennikov supposedly arrived uninvited, much to Tuch's consternation.
Arr[ived]: Moscow, after a restless night on the train. Very exhausting day. Morning sorting music and books at Embassy, rehearsing V[iolin] Sonata, lunched with Cultural Officer Lee Brady and assorted Americans. Then conferred at Composers' Union concerning KMF exchange commissions, etc. Reception at the National Hotel at 4 (2nd big meal in 2 hrs!) given by the Composers' Union (Khrennikov, Shostie, Shaporin, Dankevitch, Yarustovsky [critic] among guests).71 Much to toast (incl. L. F.'s to me!). Then I asked to rehearse Piano Quartet. Then asked to attend party at newspaper man Edmund Stevens['s] nice house. Lots of correspondents around.
10 April
Last full day in the U.S.S.R. Gave a one hour talk on tape for S.U. Radio to be illustrated by recordings. First time an American has ever been given time on the air to speak to the radio audience. (Suddenly 1,000 rubles = $100.) Out we went to buy camera and boxes: final con- cert in the evening. I play the Piano Quintet with the Borodine Quartet. We did well. Violin Sonata well played by 2 gals. The famous Richter finished the program with Prokofieff's 6th Sonata (Youra of Leningrad suddenly appeared). I left all of my piano music with Richter. Party afterwards at Mrs. Thompson's (Ambassador's wife). Pres. Eisenhower's ass't, Mr. Hagerty, was there. Also Khrennikov and Shostie. To bed at 2 AM.
11 April
Up at 7 AM. Off to London (via Amsterdam).
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