Page "Alexander Glazunov" Paragraph 22

Age did not weaken Glazunov's memory.

Another story Shostakovich relayed was of an " eternal student " applying to enter the composition department at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory.

The applicant played a piano sonata he had written.

Glazunov listened.

When the applicant had finished, Glazunov said, " If I'm not mistaken, you applied a few years ago.

Then, in another sonata, you had quite a good secondary theme.

" Glazunov sat down at the keyboard and played a large segment of the old sonata.

" The secondary theme was rubbish, of course ", Shostakovich said, " but the effect was enormous.