The Magical Chorus

“A sweeping eulogy to one of the gilded eras of Western culture. . . . The Magical Chorus rewards readers with a gold mine of insider anecdotes.” —The Washington Post Book World“An ideal guide, clear but still subtle and nuanced, to the rich complexity of Russian culture, its splendors, controversies, achievements, and tragedies throughout the twentieth century. Volkov evokes the excitement of that far-off time with compelling immediacy.” —Los Angeles Times“Volkov offers a unique perspective from his position as an eyewitness: He had close friendships with many of the people he describes and his work is filled with an insider’s insights.” —The Christian Science Monitor“For lovers of Russian culture, [Volkov’s] vignettes and portraits . . . are a joy to consume, as is his analysis of their legacies.” —The New York Sun