Вера Дулова. Воспоминания. Статьи. Документы - стр. 29

Thanks to our teacher, Vera Georgievna, her students were able to meet the whole world of the harp and harpists. She took us to the large harp events such as the Holland Harp-weeks; international competitions in Jerusalem, Hartford, Geneva, Gargilesse and Bloomington; the World Harp Congresses and so many other places.

There was a special relationship between Vera Dulova and her pupil-colleagues who played at the Bolshoi Theater Orchestra. As we sat beside her at the Bolshoi, we received literally “from her hands” the skill of orchestra playing and solo playing within the orchestra. Her performances were unforgettable. She always strictly observed the composer’s indications and if it was necessary to do a slight revision, she made it as close to the text as possible. She never made a revision to simplify a part. Her performance was so splendid. Her sound was very big and had a special color – brilliant and warm, never harsh. Her technique was incomparable. She told me once that Nicanor Zabaleta rushed backstage after a concert she had given to see if she had hidden an amplification device in the harp. He could not believe that such a big and beautiful tone could be produced without amplification!

She was not only a great harpist, but also a very talented person who was surrounded by fascinating people. Deep friendships connected her with the famous Russian composers Dmitri Shostakovich, Sergei Prokofiev and Aram Khachaturian. She was often the center of many events and gatherings. I hope everyone remembers her parties in Holland! Those who met her will never forget her. The great harpist has passed away, but everything she did for the development of the Russian Harp School will continue to live as we, her pupils, transmit her achievements to the next generation.

The “First Lady of Russia” has left us. She has left many orphans behind, of which I am one. I had the chance to meet Mme. Dulova for the first time at the Israel Contest in 1965. She gave a recital of such beauty and class that as I listened, I said to myself, “I will play like her or abandon the harp.” I had no doubt but that this woman would guide me involuntarily by her example and the sheer force of her personality. Her strength, perfection, taste and unique musicianship profoundly influenced me.

I was just 17 years old the first time I entered the Harp Competition in Israel, and I was strongly disappointed not to have passed to the final stage. I decided to profit from the “forced rest” by taking a walk around the campus of Jerusalem. Suddenly, on the other side of the street, I saw Mme. Dulova walking with her translator, and I didn’t understand immediately that she was calling to me by name. Hesitantly, I approached her, and in a firm voice, she said to me, ‘Vous, pour moi,… formidable!’ Then she looked straight at me and made the sign of victory. What a wonderful surprise it was for me to know that in some way my playing had met with her approval, even though I had not passed to the final stage. I have always remembered this incident and shared it with others, not because it represented a compliment to me by a great artist, but because those words arrived at the moment when I doubted my future as a harpist.