Book description
Translated by Jonathan ReederWhen Stalin came to power, making music in Russia became dangerous. Composers now had to create work that served the socialist state, and all artistic production was scrutinized for potential subversion.In The Sound of Utopia, Michel Krielaars vividly depicts Soviet musicians and composers struggling to create art in a climate of risk, suspicion and fear. Some successfully toed the ideological line, diluting their work in the process; others ended up facing the Gulag or even death. While some, like Sergei Prokofiev, achieved lasting fame, others were consigned to oblivion, their work still hard to find.As Krielaars traces the twists and turns of these artists' fortunes, he paints a fascinating and disturbing portrait of the absurdity of Soviet musical life - and of the people who crafted sublime melodies under the darkest circumstances.
Rusty Vortex
I can't get enough of ListenBook's silky-smooth playback and intuitive design. It's my go-to app for both leisurely listening and study sessions. Library organization is brilliant. No more cluttered audiobook collection. ListenBook has changed my audiobook game forever. No more format woes! Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique and fun feature. I can customize the narration to my liking. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Club Nola
I'm amazed at how immersive the experience is – it's like being inside the story. Audiobooks on this app have transformed my daily routines into engaging experiences.
Silver Agent
🌟 Who needs a dull commute when you can embark on literary journeys with this app? 🚗📖 The auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that enhances my listening journey. I appreciate it!
Nessie Pork
The auto-rewind feature after interruptions is a small thing that makes a big difference. Navigating through chapters is effortless with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and intuitive experience. Excellent support for various audio formats. Very satisfied.
Venious
I'm hooked on this app's curated content – it's like having a personal librarian. With this app, I can switch seamlessly between my iPhone and iPad, making my reading experience continuous. Apple Watch compatibility adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook enjoyment. It's seamless control at my wrist.
Bowie
👩🍳 Elevating culinary experiences with auditory tales – cooking has never been this entertaining and educational! 🍳🎧 Binaural audio processing reduces listening fatigue. Fantastic feature! The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Sweetness
No more straining my eyes – this app lets me 'read' with my ears! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the audio quality and ensures that I can immerse myself fully in the content.
Athens Fire
This app is my travel companion – making long journeys enjoyable and insightful. This app has added a touch of magic to my mundane moments – I'm forever grateful. ListenBook has transformed my daily commute. I look forward to my journeys with this app by my side. Downloading over WiFi saves so much time. Very efficient.
Sleepwalker
With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any hassle. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Loot
I'm addicted to this app's ability to seamlessly blend books into my life. ListenBook has rekindled my love for audiobooks. The app's interface is beautiful and user-friendly. Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are excellent.
QuestQuill
Being able to customize the listening duration is perfect for quick breaks. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fantastic feature. It adds a personal touch. The playback controls are so responsive. No lag at all.
Dropkick
🏡 Cleaning the house with an audiobook in the background – talk about productivity! 🧼📖 The app is so responsive. It never lags or freezes. A serviceable audiobook that met basic expectations. The narration was clear if somewhat unremarkable, and the production quality was standard without any noticeable technical issues. It kept me moderately engaged during workouts but didn't leave a lasting impression.
Guillotine
My productivity has soared since I started using ListenBook for my study materials. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to inspire others to read. ListenBook has changed the way I listen to audiobooks. The app is so easy to use.
Redneck Giorgio
I love how this app makes even the most mundane tasks exciting with audio stories. An audiobook lover's dream come true! This app's seamless functionality and diverse format support make it my go-to choice for immersive storytelling. 📚🎧 No more hassle with formats – this app ensures my audiobook adventures are smooth, and my favorite tales are just a tap away. Highly recommended! 📚🎧 ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a playful addition that lets me tweak the audiobook experience. I love the cloud integration. I can access my books from anywhere.
ZenaCake
This app has turned even my mundane tasks into exciting learning opportunities. ListenBook's sleek design and easy chapter access make navigation a breeze. ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a testament to the app's commitment to audio quality. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
Sky Bully
Seamless integration with all my devices and flawless synchronization – top-notch. This app has rekindled my passion for storytelling in the most convenient way. No need to convert files anymore – ListenBook's seamless playback of various formats is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts like me! This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
Dark Burn
This audiobook app is an absolute lifesaver! It brings my favorite stories to life with unparalleled convenience. 🎧 Elevating my reading experience – this app's intuitive controls and organization features make audiobook enjoyment effortless. 📱📖 The statistics tracking feature is eye-opening. I never realized how much time I spend on audiobooks until now! Binaural audio processing really helps reduce fatigue. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
Coldy
With ListenBook, I've found a way to make the most of my free time while indulging in my love for audiobooks. This app's convenience has turned my daily chores into moments of literary escape. Audiobook heaven! This app's functionality is a dream – simple and efficient. Bookmarks are a must-have for any audiobook lover. They help me stay organized and engaged. Unlimited audiobook length with ListenBook Pro is a game-changer.
Saber-RED
Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app is your new best friend. 📱 An app that respects my time and delivers on functionality – audiobook listening has never been this effortless. 📖🔗 A functional audiobook production that met basic requirements. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough to listen to for extended periods, though their performance didn't add much interpretation to the text. The audio engineering was competent without being remarkable.
Kill Switch
This app has transformed my daily routine into moments of literary delight. 📚 Embracing reading in the digital age – this app makes accessing books a seamless and enjoyable experience. 📱🎉 Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks from various sources has become effortless.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience