Solomon Volkov traces the relationship between culture and politics in twentieth century Russia starting with the reign of Tsar Nicholas II and concluding with Yelstin's administration in the 1990s. He explores in great detail the effect the political climate had on leading artists both before and after the 1918 revolution--from Leo Tolstoy's letters to the Tsar expressing his disapproval of the regime to Maxim Gorky's surprisingly close relationship with Stalin. (Gorky was Stalin's cultural advisor for several years.) The horrors of Stalin's regime (in particular) on artists of that era are realized throughout the book. The loss of so many individuals after the revolution either by suicide, in the camps or by escaping there homeland to live as emigres, is tragic. Epic in scope, this book will fascinate anyone interested in Russian art, politics and history.
Request The Magical Chorus from the Saint Paul Public Library.
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