Ma vie musicale

The memoir offers a lively portrait of a young prodigy whose childhood was steeped in music and the sea. From the moment he could echo his mother’s lullabies, the future composer showed an uncanny ear, yet it was his family’s naval tradition that first guided his ambitions. The narrative follows his early years at the Saint‑Pétersbourg naval academy, where he secretly nurtured a passion for composition and, astonishingly, completed Russia’s first symphony while sailing around the world.

Beyond the personal story, the book opens a window onto the “New School” of Russian music, introducing the circle of five innovators who reshaped the nation’s soundscape. Readers hear anecdotes about their collaborations, the influence of European masters, and the determined effort to finish the unfinished works of peers. Presented with humor and vivid detail, the memoir invites listeners to experience the blend of maritime adventure and artistic awakening that defined a pivotal era in Russian culture.