Between 22 September and 4 October last year, Gerard McBurney made a short research and lecturing trip to St Petersburg and Moscow. On his return he circulated a private, informal account of his activities and impressions of the current state of musical life in Russia to a number of interested parties and friends. Among these was the Editor of Tempo, who considered that parts of the report were of such interest that they merited wider circulation. At his request, Gerard McBurney has prepared this edited version of his report for publication.