Franco writes in reaction to Mats' reply to me: >... remembering that in the Fifties and partly in the Sixties the >predominant pro-soviet "intellighentsia" in Europe and particuarly in >Italy, indulged in celebrating Khachaturian as one of the great composer >of the century and incensed his ballet "Spartacus" as an absolute >masterwork!!!! Just remember we are talking about the early thirties, not the fifties/sixties..... Furthermore, I don't necessarily see the link between the "pro-Soviet intelligentsia" as you put it, and the musical circles Prokofiev sought to please.... regards, Jos