A CERTAIN ART

by Nicolai Malko ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 4, 1966

Not an important book, but an exceedingly warm and charming one which will bring much pleasure to music buffs. The late Nicolai Malko had a remarkable career. He conducted leading orchestras all over the world and was a frequent guest conductor here. At the time of his death he was the musical director and permanent conductor of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Malko entered the St. Petersburg Conservatory in 1902. Rimsky-Korsakoff, Alexander Glazounov and Anatol Liadov were the most famous of his teachers. This book consists of Mr. Malko's we-will-never-see-their-like-again recollections of his early years in music and there are lovely anecdotes-- Isadora Duncan downing brandy because her young husband has gone off to Persia; Gluck's Orpheus performed at the Imperial Opera with Napravnik on the podium and dances by Fokine; how Professor Nicholaiev scolded Shostakovich and why. And then there's Stravinsky and Emanul Bey-- well, you know-- Just about everyone who was much in the first half of the twentieth century. Very old world and refreshingly unpretentious.

Pub Date: May 4, 1966

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Morrow

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1966

Categories: NONFICTION