Mullova: Welcome to the West

Directed by the legend that is Katya Krausova - but I helped. This was special, Tchaikovsky prize winning Violinist, Victoria Mullova filmed as soon as she arrived in America after her defection from the Soviet Union - and following her as she tries to build a life and a career in the US of A. I will never forget spending New Years Eve in Times Square with Victoria and Katya

[@walterjoosten5750]

An angel defected to the west. Superb musician and a very strong woman.

[@richarddenton7724]

truly an extraordinary creature yes

[@alexsaldarriaga8318]

Thanks so much for posting this wonderful documentary. I remember when she defected. She played a few concerts shortly thereafter in Miami, FL that I fortunately attended. There are famous violinists out there today who don’t hold a candle to her. It’s all about show biz today. She’s trained in the old school. Memorizing the whole program, no facial grimacing or body contortions, and a complete respect for the music and the audience.

[@richarddenton7724]

She was and is a wonderful musician

[@makers_lab]

Fantastic documentary; thanks for posting.

[@richarddenton7724]

I was proud to be involved with it. I was trying to get permission to film a big series in Russia while halping Katya to make this - so I had to be sure my name was not in the credits. It worked I think - and the series COMRADES was the result

[@yovni]

Amazing doc. Her Chicago debut playing Brahms just lacked warmth and personality as the critic said, but what a personality. What an individual... who adapted her playing and kept growing artistically. The conversation with her mum at 4:40 is an extraordinary historical document. Fascinating.

[@HenJack-vl5cb]

Thank you for the amaizing testimony.

[@arifkazimov8756]

strong woman’s story!!

[@nimium1955]

Is here any more of Krausova's work on YT? This is so good. Thank you for uploading it.

[@richarddenton7724]

I will ask her! Glad you enjoyed it

[@nimium1955]

@@richarddenton7724 Much appreciated! So far found the "Last Folio" clips and watchlisted Ivan Chonkin (without subtitles), which she produced, and "Ida" with which she may only be indirectly connected via her production company. MORE!!!! Oops. [EDIT: change that to "MORE PLEASE!!!!!]

[@user-rg5we6ly2u]

speaking with mother... pure egoist!

[@richarddenton7724]

You noticed!

[@prokastinatore]

So easy to understand that Victoria Mullova left the fucking USSR. Who seriously wants to live a life under supervision, controlled, not allowed to mention or to create own opinions? Not allowed to travel? Not allowed to do what ya like?

[@germanchris4440]

As soon as she arrived in America, she was re-educated to smile stupidly. (Thank God it doesn't seem to have been too effective.) Disgusting thing to do - just to make it seem more appealing to a US audience. They should have tried that with Rachmaninoff many decades earlier ...

[@msinanozeren6733]

Complete bullshit that she defected for a better artistic life. If so, how come she was educated to be an artist of such a level in the Soviet Union? How come Soviet Union can be blamed for an environment not conductive for arts while it produced the best artists and provided an environment for ordinary people to enjoy arts rather than just the elite (which is the case in the west) ? These are opportunists who wanted money and a better material life.

[@richarddenton7724]

A slightly harsh judgement. How much time have you spent in the USSR? While some of the arts thrived and we’re widely enjoyed - they were also heavily controlled and censored. And it isn’t just greed that suggests you might be worth more than the relative pittance the state actually paid. You’re not wrong of course. Just a little harsh perhaps

[@msinanozeren6733]

@@richarddenton7724 well, as you say, I am not saying the things were perfect in the USSR but saying that they defected for a better artistic environment is obviously false. However it is true that Mullova is not totally motivated by money and fame (unlike, say, Baryshnikov) she is a true artist who also has an intellectual dimension. I personally met a lot of former Soviet artists and scientists who quietly expresses the fact that the environment in the west is high level and competitive but too commercial and lacks the spirit.

[@isqueirus]

Absolutely. She realized the state opressed her after years of world class training FOR FREE! Thats why I love so much David Oistrakh,he once said: "This system (soviet) produced me, gave me all the oportunities and training, how can I turn my back?"

[@LLcoolLuc]

You should try North Korea, if such nostalgia you feel !

[@msinanozeren6733]

Go away if you can not handle the truth about her.