Вера Дулова. Воспоминания. Статьи. Документы

A Creative Portrait[43]

by Natalya Shameyeva

Vera Dulova is the person whose name symbolizes the highest achievements of the Russian Harp School and international harp performance.

Vera Georgiyevna was born on 27 January 1909. Her musical fate was predetermined in her childhood. Her grandmother was a splendid pianist who, according to P. Tchaikovsky was “one of the most brilliant representatives of the modern virtuosity.” Her father, George Dulov, was a violinist, a professor at the Moscow Conservatory and the author of twelve notebooks called The Full Course of Russian Violin Playing. Her mother, Maria Bukovskaya, was a leading singer in the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg. It is interesting to note that even Vera’s great – grandfather was a hero of the First Patriotic War and was awarded a golden weapon by the great Russian General, M. Kutuzov.

As a child, Vera liked the cello and asked to play that instrument. Her father insisted that “the cello was not for a woman.” Vera responded, “Then, teach me to play the harp.”

Vera studied harp for her first two years with Ksenia Erdeli (1879-1971). K. Erdeli was the oldest Russian harpist, People’s Artist of the USSR, Professor of the Moscow Conservatory, and soloist of the Bolshoi Theater Orchestra. During that time, Vera had the opportunity to hear a performance by harpist Maria Korchinskaya (1895-1979), who was also a professor at the Moscow Conservatory and soloist with the Bolshoi Theater Orchestra. That single concert absolutely changed Vera’s life and her concept of the harp. From that time on, Maria Korchinskaya not only became her teacher but also her most honored and respected authority. Many years later, when Mme. Dulova was at the peak of her career touring as an established artist, she admitted to being “as nervous as a small girl” any time she knew Maria Korchinskaya was in the audience!

Anatoly Lunacharsky, the Minister of Education, also played a very important role in Vera Dulova’s musical career. He organized the “Fund to Help Gifted Young People,” and this fund subsidized young Vera’s study in Germany with Professor Max Saal. In Germany, she not only studied but also listened to vast amounts of music and worked at music libraries. At the Berlin Library she found manuscripts written for harpsichord by composers of the 17th-18th centuries, which she later transcribed for harp and published in Russia. As an outstanding young harpist in Germany, she was invited to the home of Albert Einstein; she performed Mozart’s Concerto for flute and harp with Bruno Walter; and she was formally presented to Otto Klemperer.

In 1929, Vera Dulova returned to Russia, and in 1935, she was awarded a shared first prize of the All-Union Competition of Musicians with D. Oistrakh and Y. Flier. It was from the 1930 that her active concert life began, and she became a soloist of the Bolshoi Theater Orchestra. Soon after that she also began teaching.

It is difficult to enumerate all the towns and regions of the former Soviet Union where Vera gave concerts. Her harp sounded from the most southern town in Russia – Kushka – to the North Pole. At a drifting station called North Pole-4, Vera was awarded the title “Honored Polar Explorer” on 12 April 1955.

Vera Dulova gave many concerts with her husband, the famous bass-baritone, People’s Artist of Russia, Alexander Baturin. Vera also enjoyed a great popularity in Russia, and her portraits were painted by many outstanding Russian artists.

One of the most distinctive features of her concerts were the first performances in Russia of many works she had brought from abroad. She was the first harpist in Russia to perform harp pieces by P. Hindemith, B. Britten, A. Jolivet, G. Tailleferre, A. Casella, C. Pascal, J. M. Damase, H. Villa-Lobos, A. Zecchi and others.

Inspired by her art performance, many Russian composers wrote for her and dedicated their compositions to her. Among these composers are A. Mosolov, L. Knipper, S. Vasilenko, E. Golubev, A. Khachaturian, E. Denisov, A. Baltin and V. Kikta.

Dulova also made some perfect harp transcriptions of clavecin [harpsichord] music by L. Daquin, J.-B. Lully, E Couperin, and J.-F. Rameau, as well as her very popular transcriptions of Ravel’s “Laideronnette, Empresse des Pagodes” from Mother Goose Suite and “Morning Serenade” from Prokofiev’s ballet, Romeo and Juliette.

It is natural that such an outstanding artistic personality belonged not only to Russia but also to the whole world. Her appearances were highlighted occasions in every country – Great Britain, The Netherlands, USA, France, Italy, Germany, Japan and Australia, to name a few. In 1968, the Berlin Radio asked its listeners to name the concert artist they would most want to hear in its final concert. Vera Dulova’s name was the unanimous first choice. Vera Dulova was made an “Honored Citizen of Gargilesse (France),” awarded a golden medal by the American Harp Society and given such titles by newspaper critics as “Queen of the Harp,” “The Harpist No. 1,” and “The Harpist of the World.” Her recordings, CDs and radio recordings are an anthology of the vast performing art of this great harpist.

The Bolshoi Theater had a very special place in Vera Dulova’s life. Her famous performances of the solos, cadenzas and variations from Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Nutcracker, Don Quixote and Raymonda were a brilliant enrichment to the ballets.

Vera Dulova was Professor of the Moscow Conservatory and a recognized leader of the Russian Harp School. She educated many outstanding harpists who work in Russia and abroad today. She gave master classes in many countries, and her pupils received prizes at the most prestigious international competitions. One other very important contribution Mme. Dulova made to Russia was her initiative to create a Russian harp company. She understood perfectly that without a factory within Russia to build harps, Russian harp education would be impossible. With her constant consultation, the Russian harp was designed and manufactured. Schools, colleges and conservatories could buy instruments. It was the necessary foundation of the Russian harp education.

In 1964, Mme. Dulova formed the Russian Harp Society. Her service to music was awarded by the Government, and she received the title People’s Artist of the USSR as well as the State Prize of the USSR.

While Vera Dulova has passed away, she will be remembered in the world of music as the great harpist of the 20th century and her harp music will continue to sound in our hearts.

Personal Memories of Vera Dulova[44]

by Natalya Shameyeva

I met Vera Dulova after my graduation from the Gnessins Musical and Pedagogical Institute. l was her student at the post-graduate course of the Moscow Conservatory. First of all, she completely changed my hand position and very soon we started to prepare for the All-Union Competition and then international competitions. During the summer, she took me to her dacha (small house) in the Crimea and gave me lessons even though it was the holidays.

One of her most important qualities as a teacher was that she helped her students to overcome defects or weaknesses through humor! Vera could always find a very special word to make a student laugh rather than feel hurt and communicate in a way that the student always remembered and made the change. It was often her actual presence and the atmosphere that she created that made us play our best. She played the piano very well and often accompanied her students in concerti at the Moscow Conservatory. She was able to perform all the music she taught and very often took another harp and demonstrated certain passages during lessons.

Thanks to our teacher, Vera Georgievna, her students were able to meet the whole world of the harp and harpists. She took us to the large harp events such as the Holland Harp-weeks; international competitions in Jerusalem, Hartford, Geneva, Gargilesse and Bloomington; the World Harp Congresses and so many other places.

There was a special relationship between Vera Dulova and her pupil-colleagues who played at the Bolshoi Theater Orchestra. As we sat beside her at the Bolshoi, we received literally “from her hands” the skill of orchestra playing and solo playing within the orchestra. Her performances were unforgettable. She always strictly observed the composer’s indications and if it was necessary to do a slight revision, she made it as close to the text as possible. She never made a revision to simplify a part. Her performance was so splendid. Her sound was very big and had a special color – brilliant and warm, never harsh. Her technique was incomparable. She told me once that Nicanor Zabaleta rushed backstage after a concert she had given to see if she had hidden an amplification device in the harp. He could not believe that such a big and beautiful tone could be produced without amplification!

She was not only a great harpist, but also a very talented person who was surrounded by fascinating people. Deep friendships connected her with the famous Russian composers Dmitri Shostakovich, Sergei Prokofiev and Aram Khachaturian. She was often the center of many events and gatherings. I hope everyone remembers her parties in Holland! Those who met her will never forget her. The great harpist has passed away, but everything she did for the development of the Russian Harp School will continue to live as we, her pupils, transmit her achievements to the next generation.

Personal Memories of Vera Dulova[45]

by Catherine Michel

The “First Lady of Russia” has left us. She has left many orphans behind, of which I am one. I had the chance to meet Mme. Dulova for the first time at the Israel Contest in 1965. She gave a recital of such beauty and class that as I listened, I said to myself, “I will play like her or abandon the harp.” I had no doubt but that this woman would guide me involuntarily by her example and the sheer force of her personality. Her strength, perfection, taste and unique musicianship profoundly influenced me.

I was just 17 years old the first time I entered the Harp Competition in Israel, and I was strongly disappointed not to have passed to the final stage. I decided to profit from the “forced rest” by taking a walk around the campus of Jerusalem. Suddenly, on the other side of the street, I saw Mme. Dulova walking with her translator, and I didn’t understand immediately that she was calling to me by name. Hesitantly, I approached her, and in a firm voice, she said to me, ‘Vous, pour moi,… formidable!’ Then she looked straight at me and made the sign of victory. What a wonderful surprise it was for me to know that in some way my playing had met with her approval, even though I had not passed to the final stage. I have always remembered this incident and shared it with others, not because it represented a compliment to me by a great artist, but because those words arrived at the moment when I doubted my future as a harpist.

In 1965, international competitions were rare, and I didn’t have any immediate solutions for my life after failing to win the competition. When I returned to France, Pierre Jamet (who was also on the jury of the competition) had but one wish – to invite Mme. Dulova to Gargilesse. From that time on, I watched for every Bolshoi tour to France and never missed a chance to hear the great harp cadenzas of Tchaikovsky, Glazunov and others. During that time, Mme. Dulova also helped me prepare the Gliere Concerto before I recorded it in 1977.

At last the summer came when Mme. Dulova played at Gargilesse, and it was a moving experience for me. It is hard to say what impressed me most, but it had to do with the way that all of her being was in harmony with the music she played. Even now as I write, I remember her extraordinary quality of gestures, and I can also see the expressions on her face. For Mme. Dulova, only the essential part of music counted, and no easy effect had a place in her work. I was excited to discover another way of playing, to hear another literature, and to feel that this perfection would only be accessible by technical work and diligent musical research.

When I was a student of Pierre Jamet, he never played recitals. (He gave his last concert at age 90 interpreting the Debussy Danses with Pierre Boulez.) M. Jamet would always teach us how to correct a fault or improve our technique or musicality, but the profession seemed to me vague and inaccessible. It was difficult for me to see clearly what road I should take. From Mme. Dulova, I began to better understand how to build a real professional life. I observed her in concert and saw her surrounded by her students and admired by the many professional harpists who gathered at the Holland Harpweeks or Gargilesse. I remember her kindness to her colleagues and the respect she inspired by simply being herself. I remember how the students looked up to her and waited to hear her commentary on their presentation. It was bad luck for the student who had not played the way Mme. Dulova had wanted them to play! On the other hand, one or two words of praise would suffice to illuminate the faces of Natasha, Emilia, Tatiana (or any of her students), when the “Madame” was happy.

After quite a few years of meetings and some professional growth by me, it seemed clear that Mme. Dulova had integrated me as one of her children. Because I lost my mother when I was very young, I have always believed that Heaven sent a few substitute mothers to me, and Mme. Dulova was definitely one of them. But let us return to the shock I experienced from my first contact with the Russian School.

Like every graduate of the Paris Conservatory, I thought the most difficult things were behind me. Even though M. Jamet congratulated me on my unanimous first prize at age 15, he added, “You will play well in ten years.”

What clairvoyance! All I needed to do was to work, but I didn’t know how to attain the summits or how to focus my efforts. Everything seemed hazy. In effect, many of my questions were answered at the Israel Competition. Each morning at 7:30 A. M., I would hear “the Russians” warming up with the slowness of a dancer who starts on her barre with the demi-plié, plié, battements tendus and upward to the more complicated exercises. I was impressed by such patience and perseverance. If there was a way to become a virtuoso, this was surely the way.

At this time in my life, I had the habit of playing my repertoire with great speed and not worrying about the state of my muscles, my tendons or even less, the skin on my fingers. The methodical and organized preparation of these Russian competitors brought back to me the teaching of Pierre Jamet that I never followed! I had actually convinced myself that these insidious and boring exercises were for the less-gifted students!

When I returned to Paris, I eagerly consulted all of the études that “slept” in my mother’s library. (My mother had been a student of Marcel Tournier.) From that moment on, the method of Coeur became my Bible and the exercises of Larivrière my daily prayers. And thus, I started to become more disciplined in my work. As the months passed, I acquired a solid technique, and because of this, I became more serene in my musicianship.

Mme. Dulova remained for me the ideal successful woman in her art. (The ideal masculine image in my eyes was Pierre Jamet.) It seemed that she was a soloist in all senses of the word. She gave recitals, played concerti with orchestra, was soloist with the Bolshoi Theater and also shared her knowledge as a teacher. How could I not hope to imitate her? She was a complete artist.

When the first time came that I was invited to sit at the same table with Mme. Dulova as a juror for an international harp competition, I could not hide my pride. Suddenly, the one who had been a judge to me became an accomplice with me in the destiny of other young people. I redoubled my attention so that I wouldn’t make a mistake in my choices. This very special way of evolving at her side as a judge was given to me many times in England, USA and France, and each time I learned something from her.

At this point in my memories of Mme. Dulova, I would also like to speak about the quality of human rapport, admiration and affection that I witnessed between many “great” artists of the harp world. I cannot name them all, but I think of Phia Berghout, Pierre Jamet, Marcel Grandjany, Nicanor Zabaleta and so many others. They were deeply kind and determined to bring the harp to a better state of awareness in the world. They made us love music. It was a time of respect and friendship between harpists. We were faithful to these exceptional people. This attitude seems to have changed in many of today’s young musicians. The teacher is expected to provide magical solutions for the student to play well without having to work-or perhaps, just barely.

One can give all the advice in heaven and earth with competence and seriousness, but unless it is applied by the student, the result will be mediocre. During the recent master class given by Susann McDonald at Maubeuge, I was happy to hear her ask the students, “Do you play ёtudes?” What a great joy it was to hear this very young Dutch student reply that she had finished studying the&udes by Bochsa, Damase and Dizi. The result was there! She played remarkably well for all of her 12 years. This is the quality of work that we saw with Mme. Dulova and her students.

This photo could be that of my parents, as both gave me sincere advice and love. When Pierre Jamet left us I felt the need to visit Mme. Dulova. I made the decision to go to Moscow in 1997, and when I arrived Natasha Shameyeva (a friend for 30 years) let me know that “Madame” was waiting for me and that I needed to hurry because we could not make “Madame” wait! Her apartment reflected her immense personality. The quality of her furniture, the paintings and her personal belongings transported me instantly to the Russia of the Tzars. A dinner of great quality was offered to Natasha and me, and then relentless questioning about everyone in France. I was always amazed by her elephantine memory. After that, Mme. Dulova scolded me because I had disobeyed a career plan that she had suggested for me.

Despite my improvised excuse, she looked at me severely, and none of the reasons I voiced seemed to have value in her eyes. I had erred professionally and she let me know it. In returning to my hotel, I further realized the attachment of this woman who was not content just to teach the harp and the music but felt it her responsibility to go beyond musical considerations. She guided her students to the highest posts in Russia and abroad. I could not escape this rule, and the trip was very intense. Natasha took time to accompany me to museums and splendid churches, and Mme. Dulova arranged a reunion of about 30 students at the Moscow Conservatory for me to meet I was overwhelmed to hear the exceptional talent and deeply moved to be honored by her in this occasion. The day I left, after I had visited St. Basil’s Church situated in Red Square, I made a last visit to Mme. Dulova. Her chauffeur was waiting to take her to her country home. She insisted upon driving me to the airport, and she waved at me the longest time. I suspected then that that would be the last time…

“Dear Madame, today, now that you have found yourself with Pierre Jamet, it remains for me to thank you for having been so complete, so natural, so magical, so demanding, so funny, so hard, so spontaneous, but so loving. Merci Madame.”

[Личные воспоминания о Вере Дуловой

Катрин Мишель[46]

От нас ушла «Первая леди России». После неё осталось много сирот, и я среди них. Впервые я встретила Мадам Дулову на международном конкурсе арфистов в Израиле, 1965. Она дала концерт такой красоты и такого класса, что, слушая её, я сказала себе: «Или я буду играть как она, или я брошу арфу». Я не сомневалась, что эта женщина будет невольно вдохновлять меня своим примером и воздействовать силой своей личности. Её сила, совершенство, вкус и уникальное мастерство глубоко повлияли на меня.

Мне было 17, когда я впервые участвовала в арфовом конкурсе в Израиле, и я была очень разочарована, не попав в финал. Я решила воспользоваться этим вынужденным отдыхом и пройтись вокруг израильского университета. Вдруг я увидела на противоположной стороне мадам Дулову, прогуливающуюся со своим переводчиком, и я не сразу поняла, что она окликнула меня по имени. Сомневаясь, я подошла, и она сказала мне твёрдым голосом: «Ты для меня необыкновенная». Она прямо посмотрела на меня и показала знак победы. Для меня это было потрясающим сюрпризом – узнать, что каким-то образом я ей понравилась, хотя и не прошла в финал. Я всегда вспоминаю этот случай и рассказываю о нём – не потому, что это был комплимент великой артистки, но потому, что эти слова прозвучали именно в тот момент, когда я сомневалась в своём профессиональном будущем.

В 1965 году международные конкурсы были редкими, и у меня не было возможности сразу же победить в каком-нибудь другом конкурсе. Когда я вернулась во Францию, Пьер Жаме (он тоже был в жюри конкурса) очень хотел пригласить мадам Дулову в Гаржилез. С того времени я постоянно следила за гастролями Большого театра во Франции и никогда не упускала случая услышать прекрасные арфовые каденции Чайковского, Глазунова и др. Несколько лет спустя мадам Дулова помогла мне подготовить Концерт Глиэра, который я записала в 1977 году.

Наконец наступило лето, когда мадам Дулова выступила с концертом в Гаржилезе. Для меня это было волнующее событие. Трудно сказать, что меня больше всего впечатлило, но думаю, это было то, что всё её существо было в гармонии с музыкой, которую она играла. Даже сейчас, когда я пишу эти строки, я вспоминаю необыкновенную пластику жеста и выразительность её лица. Для мадам Дуловой самым важным была суть музыки, никаких эффектов она себе не позволяла. Это вдохновило меня – открыть для себя другую манеру исполнения, услышать другую музыку и понять, что этого совершенства можно достичь лишь усердной работой над техникой и тщательным изучением исполняемого произведения.

Во времена моей учёбы у Пьера Жаме он никогда не давал сольных концертов (свой последний концерт он дал в 90 лет, исполнив «Танцы» Дебюсси с Пьером Булезом). Пьер Жаме учил нас, как исправлять ошибки, развивать технику, музыкальность, но сама профессия казалась мне смутной, недосягаемой. Мне было трудно ясно представить, какой путь избрать. Благодаря мадам Дуловой я стала лучше понимать, как выстроить настоящую профессиональную жизнь. Я наблюдала её в концертах, видела её, окружённую студентами и восхищёнными коллегами-арфистами, которые приезжали на Недели арфы в Голландию и в Гаржилез. Я помню её доброту к коллегам и уважение, которое она вызывала, просто оставаясь сама собой. Помню, как её ученики благоговели перед ней, как ждали услышать от неё комментарий о своих выступлениях. Не везло тем, кто играл не так, как хотела мадам Дулова. С другой стороны, одного-двух слов её одобрения было достаточно, чтобы лица Наташи, Эмилии, Татьяны (или любой её студентки) засияли, когда «Мадам» высказывала одобрение.

После нескольких лет, на протяжении которых мы встречались, и я профессионально росла, я пришла к мысли, что для мадам Дуловой я стала одной из её детей. Очень рано потеряв маму, я всегда верила, что Небеса пошлют мне кого-то взамен, и мадам Дулова определённо была среди них. Но вернёмся к тому потрясению, которое я испытала, впервые услышав русскую школу.