Nicolas Slonimsky Writings On Music Volume Three

You would not expect a person of my father’s cultural heritage—steepedin the Russian musical tradition, trained in its premier conservatory—tobe attracted to “modern” music. He had everything to gain from the oldmusical regime: he was educated in it, he performed it brilliantly, and itwas prevalent, offering the opportunity for a successful career. Piano washis instrument, taught by his formidable Aunt Isabelle Vengerova fromchildhood. His rich education in the theory and practice of music could