Death of the supreme Soviet percussionist
mainValentin Snegirev, who has died at 86, was principal percussionist of the USSR State Orchestra from 1952 to 2002.
He was also principal singer at the State Academy of Music.
In 1956, he participated with Svyatoslav Richter and Vasily Lobanov in the Soviet premiere of Bartok’s sonata for two pianos and percussion.
He was a tough cookie, they say.
What a long career! He will be missed.
All percussionists are “tough cookies,” Norman.