Fedor Druzhinin. Memoirs

Association internationale ‘Dimitri Chostakovitch’ 

2015 – 40 years since the death of D.D. Shostakovich
2016 – 110 years since  the birth of D.D. Shostakovich

Museum Graeco-Latinum

Fedor Druzhinin «Memoirs. Pages from the Life and Works»

I have found startling instrumental perfection in Druzhinin, 
a strong and blessed spirit, taste and, perhaps most importantly for me,
a deep interest in modernity.

Professor M. Yudina, Pianist

When he played he was not quite like anyone else. He was special somehow:
very intelligent, beautiful, and guileless, guarding both technique and elegance
without any vulgar force.

Professor R. Ledenev, Composer

Talented people are said to be talented in all that they do and this is entirely true in the case of Fedor Serafimovich Druzhinin, a divine musician and a man whose luminous literary talent is both subtle and heartfelt. A typical member of the Russian intelligentsia, his spiritual benevolence was inseparable from his dedication to music, creativity and beauty. Druzhinin’s solo recitals on the viola would be remembered by all who heard them. For many years his marvellous instrument could be heard in the glorious Beethoven Quartet and in other ensembles whose members included celebrated national cultural figures. Like his idol, D. D. Shostakovich, F. S. Druzhinin provides ‘sketches for a portrait’ of each musician in these memoirs. Shostakovich valued and encouraged Druzhinin in another musical sphere: as a composer. Fedor Druzhinin is considered a master of chamber music, both instrumental and choral. Teaching was the fourth sphere in which Druzhinin exercised his artistic talents. Fedor Serafimovich was a professor at the Moscow Conservatory for more than thirty years. Druzhinin’s classes fostered talented artists who went on to win first prizes in international competitions. Conservatorys in France, Italy, Switzerland, England, Finland, Poland and Germany invited Druzhinin to give master classes and to lecture on the interpretation of Russian Music. Anyone who has heard Druzhinin’s inspirational playing or who knows his compositions will read this book with great interest. After reading this book, those with little current knowledge of Druzhinin’s works will certainly want to listen to his virtuoso performances. Fedor Serafimovich dedicated his whole life in sacred service to music.

Professor E. Dolinskaya, Historian of Art