Bernard Chasan writes concerning Vainberg and Shostakovich:

>Well, as Don Satz has pointed out, V may be a kinder, gentler S.  Is the
>world ready for that?

I'm part of the world and as ready as can be.  Also, Jim Tobin reports
on a related posting that he's just ordered some Vainberg discs from
Berkshire Outlet in response to the discussion about the similarities
in the music of Vainberg and Shostakovich.

Bernard may not know it, but he has started a a Vainberg Movement.  Way
to go!!  Is Steve Schwartz prepared to be the first President of the
Vainberg Fan Club?  I hope the membership dues are modest.

In Jim Tobin's posting, he postulated that Vainberg's gentler ways might
have saved him from the problems with the authorities that Shostakovich
had to deal with.  Although I'm not aware of any particular confrontations
Vainberg had with the authorities on his music, he was close to extermination
when accused in 1953 of promoting a new Jewish republic in the Crimea.
His good buddy Shostakovich came to the rescue, and the eventual death
of Stalin removed the danger.

Vainberg was lucky to not be killed, but his entire family in Poland was
eliminated by the Nazis, and his father-in-law was assasssinated in 1948
on Stalin's orders.  It's a great world out there - be extra careful.

Don Satz
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