Big Russians: Recent Episodes
bigrussians
Once co-hosts of a minimally popular student radio show in the early 2010s, old friends Rob and Olly are making a vain attempt to recapture that former glory – and perhaps re-forge their friendship - by starting a podcast book club, which you are all welcome to join.
This is BIG RUSSIANS, where the only books on the agenda are the epics of Russian literature, one painstaking chapter at a time.
Their first foray sees them grapple with Boris Pasternak's 1957 novel, Doctor Zhivago.
Join them in reading this epic romance (and in their mad scramble to google facts about Russian history).
Well over a year since the last episode, your faithful Pasternauts ride that considerable momentum and EXPLODE back on to the podcast scene for a festive special! Yes it’s been 15 months, and no, Olly hasn’t done the reading. Thankfully, Robbie has ONLY GONE AND FINISHED THE BLOODY BOOK and takes control of matters. Olly’s recollection of the plot is tested without success. Rob distills key points like fine vodka. Vast tranches of text are rightfully ignored. Themes are of coursediscussed (THEMES). Things turn pretty bleak for all the characters and something disgusting happens with a rowan tree. Get in touch at readthebigrussians@gmail.com Prokofiev’s Troika (from Lieutenant Kije)Conducted by Anatole FistoulariRoyal Philharmonic Orchestra c .1956Tickety BooHarry Roy and Band
(Recorded in early June 2021) We are BACK for Book 2!
Musical sensation Lizzo is discussed, the 2016 film Arrival, hats, the biscuit/wafer distinction and Star Trek Discovery (on which there is vehement disagreement). In fact, almost everything is discussed apart from Book 2 Part 8 of Doctor Zhivago. “They’re on a train, they get off ” is Olly’s coruscating précis. “I don’t know what this bit has to do with anything” is Rob’s forensic analysis.
Read along and share your thoughts at readthebigrussians@gmail.com
With Book One done and dusted, your EXHAUSTED Pasternauts take a well earned break from (pretending to do) the reading and pay homage to one of their favourite radio shows, Desert Island Discs. They've each picked a song that they feel best reflect some of the key characters in the book, i.e. Zhivago, Tonya, Lara, and everyone's favourite uncle Nikolai.
In an effort to avoid any rights issues, only extracts from songs are provided in the podcast. For the full versions, check out the Spotify playlist here: https://spoti.fi/3uPTfUT
Tell us what you would have chosen at readthebigrussians@gmail.com
Song (By The) Sleepy Lagoon
Artist Eric Coates & His Symphony Orchestra
Album The Very Best Of Eric Coates
Writers Eric Coates, Jack Lawrence
Licensed to YouTube by The Orchard Music (on behalf of Past Classics); Audiam (Publishing), UMPI, UMPG Publishing, and 6 Music Rights Societies
In the closing chapter of Book One, it’s all aboard the train for a journey to Varykino! It is long and arduous AND THAT’S JUST THE RECORDING. Your faithful Pasternauts stay keenly focused on the text (apart from a brief diversion concerning baguettes). It’s full steam ahead on the critical analysis front as ever. Insights abound! Themes are discussed! Oliver has actually done the reading and Rob orchestrates a dramatic reading. Read along and share your thoughts at readthebigrussians@gmail.com Music: In the Steppes of Central Asia Composed by Alexander Borodin Performed by the Anima Eterna Orchestra Conducted by Jos van Immerseel
This sixth episode sees your intrepid Pasternauts following Zhivago back to Moscow! Oliver has very nearly done the reading and Rob is inundated by one email. Drink has been taken on all sides. The chapter is depressing and everyone seems to have either lice or typhus.
Big Russians is now also released though Apple and Spotify, so INTERNATIONAL STARDOM is surely just around the corner, but we don’t let that get in the way of sound critical analysis.
Music:
Overture on a Spanish March Theme Composed by Mili Balakirev Performed by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra
Your faithful Pasternauts have somehow made it to Chapter 5! Tonya's getting shirty, Lara's ironing and Yuri is on train with a duck and dog called Marquise. All concerned are overcome by the smell of linden blossoms. As ever, Rob and Oliver keenly cut through the key details with the skill and zeal of a Cossack brigade.
Read along and share your thoughts at readthebigrussians@gmail.com Music: César Cui's Suite Minature No. 1, Op. 20: VI. Scherzo Rustique, performed by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Kenneth Schermerhorn
Oliver eats a cutlet to keep spirits high while forgetting key plot details. Rob is in his pyjamas. There’s some jive talk. In the lowest energy episode yet, your intrepid Pasternauts explore the fourth chapter of Doctor Zhivago. Insightful analyses abound, themes are discussed, mistakes are made.
MUSIC Composer: Alexander Borodin
Pièce: String Quartet No. 2 - Nocturne
Performed by: The Haydn Quarter, Budapest
Oliver’s in a foul mood throughout, Rob keeps things on track. They are inundated with an email, discuss the sexual appeal of mandarins and whether listening to an audiobook is the same as reading the text. Oh, and discuss what happens in Part Three: "Christmas At The Sventitskys'", of course.
The music:
Composer : Cesar Cui
Tune: Orientale No. 9, Op 50
Violinist : Midori Goto
Rob and Olly crash through Part 2 of Pasternak’s classic. They get into the plot, talk about themes (THEMES), sing Adele, and question why they aren’t reading Lord of the Rings instead.
You can get in touch with the podcast and tell us everything we're doing wrong at readthebigrussians@gmail.com
Rob and Olly embark on their quest to read the BIG RUSSIANS with the first part of Doctor Zhivago.
They discuss their decision to read the book, their total lack of knowledge about it or any of the historical context, before leaping into a thoroughly insightful analysis of the text. They discuss the events of the opening chapter, and their initial impressions of Yura Zhivago, Nikolai Nikolaevich, Ivan Ivanovich, Misha, Nika, Nadya and others.