The first of a two-part feature relating the remarkable story of how Russian music and literature in the Tsarist and Soviet eras spoke directly and indirectly to the people, from serfs and immigrants to aristocrats and rulers. The programme examines the music of composers, including Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich and texts by writers, including Pushkin, Tolstoy and Yevtushenko. And we hear contributions from the late cellist Mstsislav Rostropovich, Valery Gergiev, Artistic Director of the Mariinsky Theatre and pianist Vladimir Ashkenazy.
Presenter/Producer: Jon Tolansky
RTÉ lyric fm, Sunday 5th November, 6pm-7pm