WASHINGTON — It was so Bob Strauss.
When he stood up to speak the other night at the Russian ambassador’s residence on 16th Street, the first thing he said in his dry way was, «I drove up tonight in this cold air, and I thought again how ineffective our agency is: They should have built that tunnel under this building.» Then he paused, a slight, amused smile on his lips, and added, «Tunnels and spies: They are typical of our wonderful Russian-American relationship!»
But neither the recent spy case nor the American spy tunnel that Hanssen revealed had been built clandestinely under the Russian Embassy itself was going to dominate this night. This evening was being hosted by the Russians especially to fete Robert S. Strauss, Texan and lawyer extraordinaire, former ambassador to Moscow, senior counselor of the Democratic Party and possibly the most charming man in Washington.
In fact, anyone who watched how he has gotten along with the Russians here, much less in Moscow (as I, incidentally, have had the opportunity to witness) would receive a firsthand lesson on the art of diplomacy, respect and even friendship between two unlikely parties. The truth is that the Russians simply like him.
Friends, diplomats and journalists began arriving at 6:30 p.m. at the magnificent, recently redecorated old embassy residence. In contrast to the «old days,» when the residence seemed a forbidding presence, on this night handsome young Russians welcomed everyone. Tables overflowed with whole roast suckling pigs, blinis with black and red caviar, creamed mushrooms, every kind of delectable salad and, of course, vodka. Even for a city celebrated for its social and state occasions, this one stood alone.
Russian Ambassador Yuri Ushakov started out by noting some of Strauss’ wry, self-deprecating wit, saying that Strauss «knows the Russians are an emotional and sometimes sentimental people — not always rational. … He knows that the best way to deal with us is by wit and not by digging tunnels of suspicion. We all need to adopt the sense of humor so typical of Bob. He proved to us that statesmanship need not be devoid of humor and charm.»
Then the present-day ambassador to Moscow, James Collins, recalled how, during the attempted putsch in 1991, the new Ambassador Strauss arrived and was given a message from President George Bush — to use, or not, at his discretion during those dangerous days.
«Hundreds of people had assembled in the streets,» Ambassador Collins said. «One boy was killed. Bob got into a car and went downtown. There, he looked around the crowds and immediately asked: ‘Where’s the podium?’ Well, he went right up to the podium, where he met Mikhail Gorbachev and Elena Bonner and all the prominent Russians, and he immediately said, ‘I have a message from George Bush.’
«Gorbachev asked him when he wanted to speak, to read it, and he said, ‘Right after you speak.’ And he did, and he conveyed the idea to Russia right away that the American people care about Russia, and that he cared about Russia.»
At the end of the night’s speeches, two Russian-born musicians and composers, cellist Borislav Strulev and pianist Sergei Dreznin, gave breathtaking performances — and for a moment one could forget or put aside the drama of political disintegration and cultural decline that is today’s Russia. «Ah,» I thought to myself at one point listening to their spectacular playing, «Russia does still have hope if it can produce such artistry.»
Both young men, however, now live and work in New York — having abandoned the hopelessness of their motherland. «New York is the only place for a musician to be today,» one said to me. «Everyone in the world comes to New York.»
What everyone notes first about Strauss, of course, is his legendary wit and humor. Perhaps it is his unlikely Texas-Jewish upbringing, perhaps it just is. «He is very creative,» Ambassador Collins said.
Then Collins added something that is less noted about Strauss than his now-legendary sense of humor. «And he has a very strong instinct for what works.»
What works. That may sound plodding or pedestrian, particularly for those who like to dream of great ideological answers hovering out there on some utopian horizon. On the contrary, devoting oneself and one’s talents to «what works» is, in the long run, the real answer to development, as well as to the relations between nations.
It was the utopian dreams of the last administration, coupled with plans to «save» and transform Russia overnight, that laid the basis for much of the continued breakdown in that unfortunate land. Those unworkable programs, pushed by an idealistic Washington, led to Russia’s present distrust of and dislike of America.
That would never be Bob Strauss’ way. And that’s another reason he is such a respected and beloved man.
September 28, 2017 Bethel Woods Center BORISLAV STRULEV AND FRIENDS — FROM CLASSICAL TO JAZZ Stun, Stunning and Stunned In […]
—————————————— By Barry Plaxen POWER AND PIANISSIMOS: Borislav Strulev!!! The 6th concert for the 2017 Festival on August 19 was, […]
Cellist Borislav Strulev, whose dynamic playing and performance style is usually associated with flamboyant virtuosity backed up by a masterful […]
Was it a childhood dream boy — a musician in the third generation, from childhood accustomed to discipline […]
Borislav Stulev. Photo: Sergei Moskalev, Русская служба «Голоса Америки» GOLOS AMERICA 04.03.2015 19:44 Cello Monster or The string Goliath Sergey […]
Helsingborgs Dagblad 9, November 2002. Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra Conductor Sebastian Weigle … Borislav Strulev was the guest soloist for the […]
Versterbottens – Kuriren – Sweden 11. May 2002. When we speak about the good, better, and the best from that […]
Västerbottens Folkblad – Sweden 15. May 2002. The main characteristic of Strulev — his cello sound. Crystal clear and clean, […]
Västerbottens – Kuriren – Sweden 17. May 2002. Friday’s lunch concert became for me the greatest event of the ongoing […]
Vasterbottens – Kuriren – Sweden 14. May 2002. One of the highest points of the year…… I have to admit […]
La voz de Asturias — Spain 6. May 2001. Outstanding virtuosity on the cello The Variations on a rococo theme […]
La Nueva España — Spain 6. May 2001. A Surge …” and from the contemporary music we had a contrast […]
Kölner Stadt Anzeiger — Germany 6. April 2001. WDR Sinfonie Orchester under Neeme Jarvi Bouncy Dances …” Peter Tchaikovsky hoped […]
Bonner Generalanzeiger — Germany 8. April 2001. Tchaikovsky’s ‘’Variations on a Rococo theme” with their romantic content yet in Mozart’s […]
Kölnische Rundschau — Germany 7. April 2001. A Sensitive and Fiery Finale …” The young cellist Borislav Strulev devoted himself […]
Västerbottens Folkband — Sweden 17. March 2001. Cellist Borislav Strulev played the Walton Concerto with mutual inspiration and devotion …. […]
Kaleva — Finland 5. February 2000. STRULEV IS A GENUINE ARTIST The picture of the young musician named Borislav Strulev […]
Kaleva — Finland 1. FEBRUARY 2000. WILDNESS AND VISION OF YOUTH There seems to be a new line in the […]
CAPE TIMES — South Africa 4. November 2000. STRULEV MAKES CELLO SING AT 24, Russian cellist Borislav Strulev is a […]
The Mercury — South Africa 13. November 2000. Musical fireworks … “A very youthful 24-year-old Strulev impressed greatly with his […]
San Francisco Chronicle 15. February 2000. California Symphony /Barry Jekowsky: Lou Harrison Suites for cello and Orchestra Tchaikovsky Variations on […]
NEW YORK POST 3. November 1999. At CARNEGIE HALL with BYRON JANIS The three facts probably best known about the […]
The New York Times 6. April 1999. John Taverner “Svyati” for solo cello and choir Spirituality as a Composer’s Driving […]
Chicago Tribune 12. October 1999. ‘… the high point of the concert was not [pianist Byron] Janis performing alone but […]
La Maurienne – France 1999 “Borislav Strulev is only 22 years old but possesses an immense talent. In his case, […]
Barometern – Sweden 1999 “Russian-born Borislav Strulev turned out to be an immensely enjoyable acquaintance, displaying an intense and powerful […]
Ostra Smaland – Sweden 1999 “The concert at Kalmar Castle offering a true tour de force, a demonstration of power, […]
Daily News of Japan 15. January 1998. Audience charmed with splendid cello tone Borislav Strulev’s cello recital took place at […]
The Reno Gazette — Journal 26. November 1998. Guest artist serves up delicious cello work … Guest artist Borislav Strulev […]
El Norte — Mexico 25. March 1998. Audience admires the great technical and communicative qualities of the cellist, Borislav Strulev […]
Sierra Madre El Norte — Mexico 11. April 1998. Miracle Cellist In the light, amidst the antique chandeliers…. from the […]
Bangor Daily News 10. November 1997 Bangor Symphony Orchestra – Rococo Variations “… it included guest cellist, Borislav Strulev, whose […]
The Star — South Africa 26. June, 1997. Borislav Strulev plays with heart and mind Music is far more than […]
Star Bulletin — Honolulu 28. October 1996. Young cellist richly stirs concerto A refreshing pair of young artists led the […]
Eastside Week — Seattle 2. April 1996. Bellevue Philharmonic Orchestra …”Most exciting, however, was the local debut of the young […]
The Longboat Observer – Florida 5. February 1996. Recital at Van Wezel Hall When young Borislav Strulev strode onto the […]
Chicago Tribune 16. October 1994. STRONG HAND Chicago Sinfonietta The Chicago Sinfonietta opened its eighth season Wednesday in a poker […]
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 13, October 1994. Sinfonietta Opening Highlights Hard Work …Freeman scheduled not one but two concertos, adding the Saint-Saens […]
La Nouvelle Republique du Centre-Ouest – France 23. June 1992. Château d’Artigny -THE REVELATION OF BORISLAV STRULEV- Five years after […]
Interview with cellist — Borislav Strulev by Katerina Goltcman
Borislav Strulev: I thouhgt «Should i stand through my life?’’ And said: «I choose the chair!» A Cello Chair!!! Magazine […]
Струлёв Борислав: «Люди нуждаются в культуре и хотят, чтобы она всегда была рядом!» Strulev Borislav: «People need culture and want […]
http://www.bel.ru/news/olymp/2013/12/05/83820.html — Борислав, Вы родом из Москвы, живёте в Нью-Йорке, но пронесёте олимпийский огонь по улицам нашего города. Что Вас […]
Блуждающие звезды В 1977 году Юрий Темирканов вместе с лондонским Королевским филармоническим оркестром записал для знаменитой EMI Вторую симфонию С.В. […]
http://www.russianspain.com/news/article6506.html Борислав Струлев: «Виолончель — это не страшно и не скучно» Всемирно известный виолончелист готовит сюрприз на Русском Благотворительном Балу […]
http://greencityreview.ru/style/80-zeljonyj-weekend-v-nyu-jorke-s-borislavom-struljovym Зелёный Weekend в Нью-Йорке с Бориславом Струлёвым Борислав Струлёв – выдающийся русско-американский виолончелист исключительного темперамента и техники, музыкант безудержной […]
Когда я пришел в «сердцу милый» джаз-клуб Bird Land на 44-й улице Манхэттена и увидел ход подготовки к гала концерту […]
Музыкальный фестиваль «Звезды на Байкале» открылся 8 сентября в Иркутске сольным концертом Дениса Мацуева, идейного вдохновителя и художественного руководителя смотра. […]
21 августа исполняется 35 лет звездному музыканту, который первым начал играть на виолончели джаз и записывать с ней саундтреки к […]
Поздравить театр пришел и президент России Владимир Путин, который отказался от предназначенной для высоких гостей ложи Годо и выбрал место […]
«Человек, имеющий ежедневные отношения с классической музыкой, в какой-то момент неминуемо проникает в суть прекрасного — в том числе и в отношении одежды…»
В эти дни в Москве проходит музыкальный фестиваль «Crescendo». Сегодняшнее выступление на фестивале одного из лучших виолончелистов планеты Борислава Струлева […]
«Музыкантом высоких оборотов, лучшим виолончелистом планеты называют Борислава Струлева музыкальные критики мира. Его исключительный темперамент и техника поражают, а обаяние и невероятный звук завораживают и очаровывают зрителей всех известных сцен мира…»
Своими учителями Борислав Струлев называет Мстислава Ростроповича, Йо-Йо-Ма, Марту Истомин-Казальс, Давида Герингаса, Валентина Берлинского. С одним из ведущих виолончелистов мира […]
Борислав Струлев, исполнитель музыкальной партии в фильме Бессона, примет участие в фестивале «Crescendo»…
Предпоследний день фестиваля «Crescendo-2009» в Пскове оказался, наверное, самым разнообразным. К музыкантам присоединились театральные артисты. Вернее сказать, они к ним […]
— Как виолончелист, я работаю в очень разных направлениях, — говорит Борислав Струлев, – от классики, джаза и до поп-музыки, играю на самых значительных сценах мира.
Критика наградила его целым рядом эпитетов: «виолончелист высоких оборотов», «монстр струнный», «музыкант исключительного темперамента и техники», «один из лучших виолончелистов […]
Премьера программы виолончелиста Борислава Струлева «MIX Египетских пирамид» состоялась 15 декабря в рамках фестиваля «Magic Mix» в особняке приемов и торжеств Петра Смирнова.
9 декабря состоялась ХI ежегодная церемония вручения премии в области развития гостиничного комплекса города Москвы «Хрустальная ладья — 2005″.
Борислава Струлева называют одним из лучших виолончелистов планеты. А его дебют в нью-йоркском Карнеги-холле с легендарным пианистом Байроном Джайнисом, когда они вместе исполнили Сонату Шопена, критики назвали сенсационным.
Молодой, но уже хорошо известный виолончелист Борислав Струлев покорил не только слушателей всех знаменитых концертных залов мира, но и особую публику — участников прошлогодней церемонии вручения премии «Хрустальная ладья»…
3 октября 2005 года Госоркестр принял участие в праздновании Дня города, выступив на двух фестивалях. Это I Международный фестиваль «Музыкальный […]
Звезды устроили модное дефиле и остались равнодушны к итальянскому кинематографу Ксения Иванова 18 июня 2005 В пятницу вечером в столице […]
На днях завершился фестиваль Crescendo, который придумал известный музыкант, победитель последнего Конкурса им. Чайковского Денис Мацуев. Идея Crescendo – представить […]
Borislav Strulev premiered it in Sweden in June, and now the concerto has found its way to Milwaukee. Strulev played the U.S. premiere here Friday, with guest conductor Miguel Harth-Bedoya and the MSO.
Борислава Струлева в Иркутск на самый первый фестиваль классической музыки «Звезды на Байкале» привез наш знаменитый земляк Денис Мацуев. С […]
Концерт В. Волтона был сыгран на высочайшем уровне. Выходец из России, виолончелист Борислав Струлёв играл с невироятно сильной концентрацией. Обычно […]
“Виолончелист Борислав Струлёв наэлектризовал зрителей.” — Написал Пер-Инге Планефорс Не меньше, чем 3.500 оборотов в минуту. Я конечно имею ввиду […]