Testimony (Volkov book)

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Testimony

Author	Solomon Volkov (editor), Dmitri Shostakovich
Original title	Свидетельство
Translator	Antonina W. Bouis
Language	Russian
Genre	memoir
Publisher	Harper & Row
Publication place	United States
Published in English	October 31, 1979
ISBN	0-87910-021-4

Testimony (Russian: Свидетельство) is a book that was published in October 1979 by the Russian musicologist Solomon Volkov. He claimed that it was the memoirs of the composer Dmitri Shostakovich. From its publication, its portrayal of the composer and his views was controversial: the Shostakovich of the book was sometimes critical of fellow composers and most notably was strongly anti-Soviet in his views. The book also contained comments on his own music by indicating that it was intended as veiled criticism of the Soviet authorities and support for the dissident movement. The authenticity of the book is still disputed.