Opyty v stikhakh - Book of Russian poetry (in Russian)

About the Author
Alexander Feht was born in Siberian Academy Town, in a family of mathematician known not only for his scientific work but also for his anti-Soviet activities. Akademgorodok (Academy Town) was built by the Soviet government, using the slave labor of military construction troops and prisoners, as a stand-by backup for central Russian scientific institutions. In late fifties the new town imitating Los-Alamos was standing in the middle of Siberian pine forest about 20 miles from Novosibirsk (big industrial city). Established scientists from Moscow and Petersburg were reluctant to go. So the new town was populated by young scientists lured by a governmental promise of an apartment that would normally take 10 to 15 years to acquire. Older scientists, not allowed to reside in capital cities (former political prisoners), also settled there. This combination and short period of "ottepel" (political thaw) produced an atmosphere of free discussions and exchanges unprecedented in Soviet Russia. Alexander Feht started violin lessons at the age of 3, and went to music school, college and conservatory for piano, violin and composition classes. Problems started at college where career-oriented musicians were supposed to be Young Communist League members and write musical compositions glorifying the Communist Party and Soviet government. Despite these confrontations, Alexander graduated from college because he was anonymously winning musical awards in competitions for the college. After graduation, a musical career was closed to him, since he refused to follow the beaten path of political subservience. So, he worked as a night guard and did construction work. He composed his music and wrote his poetry without hope of publication or public performance. Only a few friends knew of their existence. After Mr. Feht’s brother-in-law, Dimitri Sokolenko, escaped to America, Alexander's wife lost her job because of her brother's escape; the military and the KGB were threatening to send Alexander to Afghanistan, or, if he refused, to the mental hospital for life. At the same time, the KGB found some of his anti-Soviet poetry while searching the apartment of a man who obligingly supplied them with the name of the author. Leaving the country as soon as possible was Alexander's only option. Fortunately, at that time (Gorbachev's perestroika just started) this option existed. The exit visa and citizenship refusal needed to leave the country would cost 500 rubles per person – half a year's salary. He sold everything to raise the money. Another major problem facing him was that the Soviet government would not allow him to take his manuscripts. Pictures were taken of all the music scores and poetry. The film was given to the tourist from the West who agreed to bring it through customs, and to mail the film to Dimitri in the States. When he received the film, Dimitri mailed a postcard to Alexander using a code. The manuscripts were safe. Currently Mr. Feht, his wife and their son are living in the South Colorado mountains. Alexander Feht is one of the leading Russian translators in the United States. If you can read Russian, you will enjoy this poetry, which came such a long way to Amazon.com page. If you don't know Russian but would like to hear some good new music – try Alexander Feht's classical CD "Demon" – also on Amazon.com.


Buy from Amazon     Compare Prices