Sir, – I was nostalgically amused by Arminta Wallace's speculations on what may have been going through the Soviet composer Dmitri Shostakovich's mind towards the end of his meeting with President Eamon de Valera on July 6th, 1972 (Magazine, May 23rd).
Of course, we cannot know for sure, but I at least can guess. The meeting was not a resounding success, and Shostakovich’s pained expression in the photograph only partly reflects his discomfort.
I may be the only person still alive who was present throughout the interview – indeed, I was engaged, on behalf of Trinity College, in communicating with Shostakovich before his visit, and I interpreted for him throughout much of the four days: at a concert in St Patrick’s Cathedral; on the day of the degree ceremony in TCD; at the Áras; and during a lovely Saturday lunch party at the home of Brian Boydell, the composer and professor of music in TCD.
For readers who may be interested, I tell the complete story in my forthcoming memoir. – Yours, etc,
Prof RON HILL,
Trinity College Dublin,
Dublin 2.