1936: he had always been superstitious about leap years. Like many people, he believed that they brought bad luck.
So the anonymous analysis by someone who knew as much about music as a pig knows about oranges was decorated with those familiar, vinegar-soaked labels.
There were three phrases which aimed not just at his theoretical misguidedness but at his very person. “The composer apparently never considered the problem of what the Soviet audience looks for and expects in music.” That was enough to take away his membership in the Union of Composers. “The danger of this trend to Soviet music is clear.” That was enough to take away his ability to compose and perform. And finally: “It is a game of clever ingenuity that may end very badly.” That was enough to take away his life.
Και μερικές φράσεις στα ελληνικά από το βιβλίο "Ο αχός της εποχής" όπως τις έχω μεταφράσει ελεύθερα:
"Όσο πιο ταλαντούχος είναι κανείς, τόσο ευκολότερα δύναται να αντέξει τις αδικίες".
"Τουλάχιστον όταν πεθάνεις οι απορίες παύουν".
"Και οι τραγωδίες μοιάζουν εκ των υστέρων με φάρσες".
"Όταν χάσεις το κουράγιο σου, δεν μπορείς να το αντικαταστήσεις λες και πρόκειται για μια χορδή από βιολί".
"Μερικοί αξιόλογοι άνθρωποι ξεχνιούνται αδίκως, ενώ κάποιοι όχι και τόσο αξιόλογοι, κατά έναν μυστήριο τρόπο γίνονται αθάνατοι".