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Vladimir Ashkenazy

Norman Lebrecht talks to Russian pianist and conductor Vladimir Ashkenazy. He discusses his work for the KGB, his exile to the West and how arthritis has affected his piano playing.

One of the world's best known musicians, Vladimir Ashkenazy, in conversation with Norman Lebrecht. In a bright, humorous and optimistic 45 minutes, Ashkenazy describes himself as one of the luckiest people alive. He talks about his 'accidental' exile to the West. He describes his recruitment to and subsequent sacking by the KGB, and he considers how he now doesn't play live because of arthritis and misshapen fingers. And he tells Norman he still has one unfulfilled dream: to conduct opera. (Rpt)

Producer: Jeremy Evans.

1 hour

Last on

Sun 25 Apr 2010 21:30

Broadcasts

  • Mon 10 Aug 2009 22:00
  • Sun 25 Apr 2010 21:30

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