Evening star., 1948-06-20
Five Great Russians
In Life and Music
Portrayed by Seroff
THE MIGHTY FIVE By Victor 7. seroK
(AIIen ToIpae 4 Heath, INC. 81

THE MIGHTY FIVE BY Victor I. Scroll.
fAllen TONNE Heath. fnc.; 81
Reviewed by Elena de Soyn
Victor I. Seroff, \ namesake, or
perhaps, . kin Of Alexander Serof1.
Russia's famous composer and mu-
sic critic in the COS, throws . new
and 4 more intimate light on the
already familiar personalities of
Balakirev, Cui, Borodin. Moussorsky
and Rimsky Korsakoff, the 1ive
idealists who placed Russian music
on q firm national basis.
At times the book reads like =
novel. The vivid description of
Russian life in the second half of
the 18th century and the humorous
pages devoted to Borodin's house.
hold with its never-ending tea
drinking, visiting and its unbeliev-
able disorder, are priceless. The
reproduction Of a few letters in the
translation is enough to give good
idea of the composers individual
and national characteristics. Para
graphs devoted to their getting
together in the home of Glinka's
sister or of their friends, the Pur-
gold family, their professional occu-
pations and outside interests is en-
tertaining reading.
Music Making Was Routine.
The extent and the importance
Of music making at these gatherings
and the part it played in their lives
and musical development is the
theme of the book throughout. Four
handed performances of Beethoven's
and other symphonic works on the
piano and those from their own pen
were almost daily routine With
amateur singers in their midst and
the excellent musicianship of the
Purgold girls, one of whom became
Rimsky -Korsakoff' wife, the pres
entation of songs and of scenes from
their operas, before the ink was
dry on the paper" was q regular
practice. Yet it remains 4 source
of continual wonder how these men,
without formal musical education
and, In the majority of cases, . lin
tied knowledge Of the piano, could
have developed to such an unprece-
dented degree what Glinka had be-
gun. guided only by instinct and
natural talent.
OF the group, Rimsky-Korsakoff
or "Korsinka" as he was affection
ately called, was the only one to
recognize the Importance of an ele-
mentary foundation, which he
acquired after he had already won
recognition as an operatic composer.
When appointed professor of theo-
retical subjects at the Imperial Con-
servatory in St. Petersburg, he i'm
posed upon himself . rigorous course
of training while teaching others.
However, he never ceased asking
himself later in life, whether that
particular knowledge had not robbed
him of his former spontaneity.
Separation Brought Decline.
Mr.. Seroff takes each man individ-
ually to the end of his career and
days, and points out that unity of
purpose was the composers strength.
Their constant association, devotion
10 one another, friendly criticism
and discussions, maintained their
enthusiasm, spurned them on and
fired their ambition. He makes it
clear that their eventual drifting
apart was directly responsible for
Balakirev's peculiarities, as ne got
along in years, and for Moussorg-
sky's early and gradual decline. The
dynamic Balakiref1, leader. teacher
and power of the group, became a
disillusioned. embittered old man.
Moussorgsky took to drink. Misun-
derstood by his closest associates
and we'll wishers, this great individ-
ualist and the most talented OF the
five. died in a flt Of delirium tremens
at the age of a.
The appended photography shows
that Mr.. Seron did not spare effort
in scanning all available documen-
tary evidence, such as letters, per-
sonal recollections, articles and books
In the original Russian, French, Ger
man and English and wrote with
the understanding and sympathy OF