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 [log in to unmask]