大象传媒

21st August marks 50 years since the Soviet Union invaded Czechoslovakia, crushing the nascent 'socialism with a human face' of Czechoslovak leader Alexander Dub膷ek. That very same evening Mstilav Rostropovich was performing Dvorak's Cello Concerto with the Soviet State Symphony Orchestra at the Proms as Soviet tanks entered Prague. There was heckling and demonstrations, but the cellist's performance led to cheers from the audience and Rostropovich held the conductor's score aloft, a gesture of solidarity for Dvorak's homeland.

Sir John Tusa and Marina Frolova-Walker discuss with Petroc Trelawny the cultural repercussions started by the upheaval across the Iron Curtain.