What are you currently reading?

[AnotherSpin]

Fascinating book. The actual events of Brunton's travels in India exceed any imagination of the Western truth seeker. Perhaps the most appropriate introduction for someone who is or may be interested in Indian spirituality.

[Florestan]

A fascinating reading, this book compellingly argues that, during the whole 19th century, the most famous and popular cultural product of Vienna, both at home and abroad, one that became synonymous with the city and its spirit was the waltz and, consequently, that the most famous and popular Viennese composers, both at home and abroad, were neither Haydn nor Mozart, let alone Beethoven, but Johann Strauss-Vater and Johann Strauss-Sohn, both the object of a frenetic admiration bordering on delirium (similar to Paganini, Rossini and Liszt). So inextricable were the waltz and its kings linked with the Austrian Empire that it can be said of the latter to have died in 1899 together with Johann Strauss II, notwithstanding Emperor Franz Josef's outliving him by 18 years.

[vers la flamme]

Had to get a copy of Leaving the Atocha Station after reading the interesting discussion here. It was recommended by a Youtuber I follow too. Looking forward to reading it. Re: The Unconsoled, I'm excited to eventually around to that one, too. It's a long book so I'm procrastinating starting it.

Leaving the Atocha Station is damn good so far.

[andolink]

Just started into my third book by Australian novelist Jen Craig (my current favorite living writer) - -

[SimonNZ]

Knocked off this quickie:

[vers la flamme]

Am very sad to have finished this, best book I've read in a long while. Scathingly self-mocking, clever, funny, refreshingly honest and just so good to read.

I had the same reaction upon finishing it. I suppose I'll have to read Lerner's other two novels now, and maybe his poems. Very, very good book, and quite relatable, a good expression of what corresponds to my experience of being a millennial with "creative" aspirations in the 21st century. I would like to think I'm at least a bit more honest with myself and others than Lerner's protagonist, but sometimes I'm not sure.

[AnotherSpin]

From the poet and literary critic Dmitry Bykov: "Andrei Gavrilov's book is an absolute sensation, an unprecedentedly honest account of musical and near-musical morals, of the pathologies and perversions that so often accompany genius, of the tricks of socialist authorities and the scoundrels of capitalist management. This is a story about the terrible underside of the beautiful, about payment for talent and fame. But I want the reader to recognise the childish soul of the author, who never became his own in any pack, behind all this candour, scandalousness and filth".

I don't know what languages Gavrilov's book has been translated to.

[Florestan]

From the poet and literary critic Dmitry Bykov: "Andrei Gavrilov's book is an absolute sensation, an unprecedentedly honest account of musical and near-musical morals, of the pathologies and perversions that so often accompany genius, of the tricks of socialist authorities and the scoundrels of capitalist management. This is a story about the terrible underside of the beautiful, about payment for talent and fame. But I want the reader to recognise the childish soul of the author, who never became his own in any pack, behind all this candour, scandalousness and filth".

I don't know what languages Gavrilov's book has been translated to.

English, French, German

https://www.andreigavrilov.com/books

I have a question for you, if I may: why do they translate chaynik (kettle) as Tchaikovsky? 

[AnotherSpin]

English, French, German

https://www.andreigavrilov.com/books

I have a question for you, if I may: why do they translate chaynik (kettle) as Tchaikovsky? 

Logically, the translation can be found on Gavrilov's website. Few people would agree to publish this book, and in Russia Gavrilov became practically persona non grata after it.

I think it's a play on words. Chai-kovsky. Chai is a word for tea in Russian. Chainik (teapot, or kettle, in Russian the word can be used for both a brewer and a boiler) seems to be the nickname of the Tchaikovsky Competition.

In India, by the way, the main street drink is "chai". Tea leaves are brewed on milk with spices and lots of sugar. A glass costs 5-7 rupees, that's somewhere around US$ 0.10. Each chaiwala - chai stand has its own recipe for spices and proportion.

Did you read the book? If yes, what do you think?

[Florestan]

Logically, the translation can be found on Gavrilov's website. Few people would agree to publish this book, and in Russia Gavrilov became practically persona non grata after it.

According to his website, the translations were published by Asteroid Publishing. They can be bought on Amazon.

I think it's a play on words. Chai-kovsky. Chai is a word for tea in Russian. Chainik (teapot, or kettle, in Russian the word can be used for both a brewer and a boiler) seems to be the nickname of the Tchaikovsky Competition.

Thanks. In Romanian the word for tea is ceai, pronounced exactly as in Russian, and the word for teapot is ceainic, pronounced, well, exactly as in Russian.

Did you read the book?

No, but speaking of Gavrilov, a few years ago I have attended a recital of his in Bucharest and I must say he is the best pianist I've listened to live, followed closely by Demidenko and Kissin. I know, they are all Russians but I can't help it.

[San Antone]

Am very sad to have finished this, best book I've read in a long while. Scathingly self-mocking, clever, funny, refreshingly honest and just so good to read.

Your image does not appear on my screen.  What is the book?

[71 dB]

Your image does not appear on my screen.  What is the book?

The filename in the link is this:

1566892740.01.S001.JUMBOXXX.jpg

It doesn't work for me either, but maybe the book is Jumbo-something?

People rely on links too much online. They are not 100 % reliable. Dead links is a real thing. Always WRITE things too people! That's how the information is there even when the link goes death or the link is geoblocked for someone for some ridiculous reason...

[Harry]

Anthony Trollope, "The Bertrams", from the complete works, on E reader.

[Iota]

Your image does not appear on my screen.  What is the book?

It's 'Leaving the Atocha Station' by Ben Lerner. The image was there originally, as a number of people responded to it, not sure why it disappeared, but have edited it now.

[AnotherSpin]

According to his website, the translations were published by Asteroid Publishing. They can be bought on Amazon.

Thanks. In Romanian the word for tea is ceai, pronounced exactly as in Russian, and the word for teapot is ceainic, pronounced, well, exactly as in Russian.

No, but speaking of Gavrilov, a few years ago I have attended a recital of his in Bucharest and I must say he is the best pianist I've listened to live, followed closely by Demidenko and Kissin. I know, they are all Russians but I can't help it.

No problem. Given how massively popular Russian/Soviet music and performing art is here on the GMG, Gavrilov's book may be a must read, an eye-opener at least. It's written very vividly and reads interestingly. What he writes about Richter in detail, or Gilels to a much lesser extent, would sure enrage fans of the former and the latter.

I was fb friends with Gavrilov for several years some time ago. It was interesting to talk to him. One day he banned me after I told I found Stewart Goodyear's performance of Rachmaninoff's 3rd concerto interesting. Gavrilov is not the right person to speak favourably of other musicians to.

I have never listened to him live, although he has played in Odessa, also several years ago if I remember it well. I can't remember which of his recordings I like, there aren't many of them, as it is well known. His most recent Chopin shines like a crazy diamond.

[AnotherSpin]

It's 'Leaving the Atocha Station' by Ben Lerner. The image was there originally, as a number of people responded to it, not sure why it disappeared, but have edited it now.

Thank you again, finished it yesterday.

[Florestan]

No problem. Given how massively popular Russian/Soviet music and performing art is here on the GMG, Gavrilov's book may be a must read, an eye-opener at least. It's written very vividly and reads interestingly. What he writes about Richter in detail, or Gilels to a much lesser extent, would sure enrage fans of the former and the latter.

I was fb friends with Gavrilov for several years some time ago. It was interesting to talk to him. One day he banned me after I told I found Stewart Goodyear's performance of Rachmaninoff's 3rd concerto interesting. Gavrilov is not the right person to speak favourably of other musicians to.

Well, professional jealousy and harsh judgments about fellow artists are only too frequent in the artistic world, particularly in the musical field. Gavrilov is not alone in this respect. Actually, if I had the opportunity to talk to a famous musician, be they pianist, violinist, conductor, singer or whatever, I would bring up any topic but music.   

[AnotherSpin]

Well, professional jealousy and harsh judgments about fellow artists are only too frequent in the artistic world, particularly in the musical field. Gavrilov is not alone in this respect. Actually, if I had the opportunity to talk to a famous musician, be they pianist, violinist, conductor, singer or whatever, I would bring up any topic but music.   

I don't remember what we talked about. The question about Goodyear arose in connection with the scandalous story when Valentina Lisitsa's performance was cancelled in Canada and Goodyear replaced her.

[Florestan]

I don't remember what we talked about. The question about Goodyear arose in connection with the scandalous story when Valentina Lisitsa's performance was cancelled in Canada and Goodyear replaced her.

My impression about Gavrilov's persona, based on that concert I attended, is that he's rather eccentric and aloof. Demidenko is far more unassuming and amiable: he played Rachmaninoff's 2nd PC and gave no less than 4 (four) encores, the highest number of encores I've ever witnessed.

[AnotherSpin]

Thanks to everyone who mentioned it earlier. It's a terrific book. Just finished.