The Magical Chorus

The intricate relationship between politics and culture in twentieth-century Russia is vividly explored, highlighting how the experiences of artists like Tolstoy, Stravinsky, and Nabokov were shaped by the tumultuous reigns of Tsar Nicholas II and Stalin, as well as the transformative period of perestroika. Cultural historian Solomon Volkov delves into the deadly connections between Russian rulers and their artistic counterparts, offering an epic yet intimate account of a remarkable era that produced some of the greatest masterpieces in history.