Peter and the Cathedral

Peter and the Cathedral

In 1839, a monument to Russia’s victory over Napoleon slowly began rising along the banks of the Moscow river. Funded by donations small and large, the massive Cathedral of Christ the Savior, over the five decades of its construction, evolved into a tangible symbol of Russian greatness.

One year later, in 1840, a boy named Peter (Pyotr) was born in the Russian town of Votkinsk. The son of a civil servant, he was sent off to be educated as a lawyer, to follow in his father’s footsteps. But, thankfully, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky gave up the secure life of a civil servant for his love of music.

Forty-three years on, in 1883, Savior’s was consecrated and Tchaikovsky was near the height of his national and international fame. A year before, in fact, Tchaikovsky had debuted his own tribute to Russia’s victory over Napoleon—the 1812 Overture.

Interestingly, both Tchaikovsky and Savior’s have been surrounded by controversy since well before both rose to prominence in Moscow 117 or so years ago. The great composer’s work has gone in and out of favor over the past century, and been the subject of endless deconstruction and analysis. The cathedral was pilloried, plundered and finally destroyed, only to be resurrected at great cost during a time of economic turmoil.

In this issue of Russian Life, Tchaikovsky and Savior’s again share center stage. The reasons are simple: May 7 was the 160th anniversary of the composer’s birth; on August 19, the newly reconstructed cathedral will be reconsecrated. Together, the five articles we offer on these two subjects comprise most of our issue—but of course these articles are about more than just a church and a composer. At the least, they offer some interesting reflections on the nature of Russian history, its blank spots and mysteries. Plus a fun sidetrip to the town of Klin ...

There is plenty more in this issue as well. We also have a fine story on Russia’s Olympic hopefuls (page 54) and an essay on how some Russians are dealing with their legal system’s inadequacies (page 64).

In our Notebook and Calendar departments, we sadly note the passing of several shining stars of Russian culture and business, while hailing the achievements of others, both living and dead. Elsewhere, we offer a puzzle, a recipe, a list of over 60 Russian-related events taking place in the US, and, of course, Mikhail Ivanov’s ever-satisfying Survival Russian.

But, even aside from all that, this is a very special issue for us. For it was five years ago that we took over—with no small amount of trepidation—the publication of Russian Life. Over the past half-decade, we have learned much and been challenged beyond measure. And, despite all the ups and downs of business, Russian politics and publishing, we cannot but continue to feel lucky for this unique opportunity to share our love of Russia with the world.

Thank you for your support of the magazine, for however much of this past five years (or even longer, perhaps) you have subscribed. We hope our efforts will keep your interest in things Russian growing. In fact, we hope that your case of Russophilia will become absolutely infectious and that you will not be able to restrain yourself from telling all your friends and acquaintances about Russian Life! The more the merrier!

Enjoy the issue.