6 - Interview with Lilian Hochhauser

Summary

London, 24 November 2011

Like her husband, Victor, Lilian Hochhauser (b. 1926) was a friend of Britten.

You were present when Britten and Shostakovich first met in 1960 as well as on a number of subsequent occasions. What would you say about their relationship?

Shostakovich knew a few words of English, but more importantly Britten and Shostakovich already knew each other because they knew each other's music. No words were necessary for them to feel what the other was thinking or trying to say. That first meeting nearly didn't happen as Britten decided to come almost at the last minute, and really because they were playing his music. There hadn't been any connection between Britten and the Russians before then. On reflection, you realise how momentous it was. At the time, it was exciting to have them both there but now when I think back I should have seen the profundity of it all. Their coming together now seems inevitable. They really thought on the same lines and both realised each other's greatness and genius. But at that first moment, I think each was somewhat overawed to be meeting the other.

Did Shostakovich ever refer to his admiration for Britten?

Shostakovich was not an easy person to talk to. He might have made one or two remarks but a conversation with him was quite difficult. But the enthusiasm he had when we told him that Britten was coming to meet him was obvious. He was clearly excited and pleased. There was no question that he was a great admirer of Britten. But it's difficult to discuss views and ideas with a very great person like that. You could with Rostropovich, but Shostakovich and Britten were on a different level. Ben didn't like Brahms, but you couldn't say to him ‘Why don't you like Brahms?’, so I didn't have any detailed discussions. But from the way they reacted to each other it was very obvious that they revered each other.