Menuhin: Ive had very good relations with the communist regime because I was always very frank with them. For instance when they refused to let Rostropovich out. He had protected Soltzenitsyn. Thats why he was bing punished. Rostropovich: Yehudi Menuhin had asked me to play in a trio with him and Wilhelm Kempff. The authorities refused and Menuhin got in touch with Moscow. They replied Rostropovich is sick. He called me at home. My wife answered the phone. Menuhin: I said, I hear Slava is ill. Rostropovich: Terrific, fine, hes in tip-top shape, she answered. So he can come? Menuhin said. Yes. Hes dreaming of playing with you. Afterwards Menuhin sent a telegram to Brezhnev, who was the Secretary General of the partys central committee at the time. Menuhin: All the press will be at this concert, television of the world, and Ill tell them the simple fact that you are liars. You told me he is sick. He is well. Now decide. He had his visa the next day, and he came. Thats the only way to treat bullies. ~TV documentary David oistrakh - Artist of the people? (1996)
Posted on: Fri, 18 Oct 2013 18:17:03 +0000
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