Traditional Russian Woman's Life Philosophy: candles

[Lily]

I keep promising myself I'll take some lessons on the piano - it would probably help with these kinds of things.  Working on the eka-pada variations in headstand now.

Well done Shosty   Why I particularly love WM is because they are willing to learn new skills also after they stop being kids In Russia, there seem to be a rather strong perception that people should only learn when they are kids, and adults who enroll in some 'body' skills schools like sports or music often face misunderstanding from others. This is one mentality related thing of why I want to leave Russia.

Shosty, I guess there might be a number of private music coaches in Seattle for you. I'd love to hear about your successes

Sandro, as always, excellent illustrations

Yes I noted Ushida on the piano! My belief would be also that the hall acustic added some extra sound to both the singer's voice and piano.. don't you find so?

I have book printed in 1907 about how the music influences human ear. Amazingly unexpensive buy  

[Gylden]

 

[Lily]

And yes, Lily, music is my passion. I like so many genres-- from classical ( Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Schubert and many, many more , to The Beatles and all sort of rock music. I cannot see my life without it. This digital piano is a fantastic instrument. It has options of "strings", "organ", "guitar", etc. This means that depending on your mood, I can change stylistic format of any musical piece, and doing so reach different emotional effect.

I couldn't think of a better present that my husband could give me some years ago.

Somebody said that MUSIC IS THE SHORTEST WAY TO GOD.

 I cannot agree more.

Ludmila, it seems to me that you have some formal education in music. Would you please tell us about it something?

Do you make some private home concerts for friends and family?

[Shostakovich]

Well done Shosty   Why I particularly love WM is because they are willing to learn new skills also after they stop being kids In Russia, there seem to be a rather strong perception that people should only learn when they are kids, and adults who enroll in some 'body' skills schools like sports or music often face misunderstanding from others. This is one mentality related thing of why I want to leave Russia.

Shosty, I guess there might be a number of private music coaches in Seattle for you. I'd love to hear about your successes

Yes I noted Ushida on the piano! My belief would be also that the hall acustic added some extra sound to both the singer's voice and piano.. don't you find so?

I have book printed in 1907 about how the music influences human ear. Amazingly unexpensive buy  

Interesting about the misunderstanding - it is something I have not encountered in my communications with RW so far.  The Europeans I know often express seriousness about their hobbies - they have their clubs and such, apparently it's in a big thing in Germany.  

Hard to know about the acoustics - did seem like the mix in the recording favored the hall microphones which would carry more bass.

Music and the ear - interesting subject.  If you take it to the psychological level there are very interesting implications for the understanding of music as distinguished from noise.  For example there are many sounds people are trained to flee from - sound of a landslide, roar of wild animal, crack of a falling tree.  They put one on alert and set the fight or flight mechanism into play.  Naturally, these stir one into activity and these sounds have their place in music also as in crescendo moments, crashing symbols, etc.  And then there is music which is almost entirely made up of such sounds, often for those people who look to music to put them into an angry or violent mood.  Probably I do not need to illustrate, but can not resist:



  

[Lily]

Interesting about the misunderstanding - it is something I have not encountered in my communications with RW so far.  The Europeans I know often express seriousness about their hobbies - they have their clubs and such, apparently it's in a big thing in Germany.  
 

I don't mean just hobbies here, but how some Russians think of people who want to study something in their adult age. Some say that learning should be reserved for kids or young people only; it's good that this mentality gradually decreases. But only a couple of decades ago, it was serious.  For instance, in the USSR there was a law that did not allow people over 30 yo to enter universities full time. Similarly, the part time studies were closed for those over 40 yo. 

What a link with horrible sounds you posted here 

Music and the ear is curious subject indeed. Yes it is in psychology. There is a verse line in Russian that says 'other may show a genious by playing a flute, but it is you who shows even more of a genious by perceiving the music' (in original: 'пусть другой гениально играет на флейте, но еще гениальнее - слушаешь ты'.

Hm, I started thinking of making a sort of an online blog about music, history, culture and all that jazz for my friends English speakers..

[SANDRO43]

I have book printed in 1907 about how the music influences human ear.

What does it say? Perhaps this discussion would be more apropos in a thread I started a year ago with little following, Musings on Music (http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=9025.0).

Regarding old books, I have a current reprint of Николай Андреевич Римский-Корсаков's Practical Treatise on Harmony (first published in 1886 in SPB, first Italian translation in 1913): it's still used as a basic textbook in our Conservatories .

[SANDRO43]

Tenor and Baritone overlap quite a bit.

The diagram is a simplification, since there a number of sub-types for both voices (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenor, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baritone). In the overlapping range there's also a difference in tessitura (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tessitura), i.e. the notes a singer is most 'at home' with.

One of the basic aims of a singer's training is extending his/her natural vocal range to that required by his/her future performing career. This process usually determines what actual sub-type will be the final target. A friend and former IBM colleague of mine, trained in South Africa as a tenor, came initially to Italy on a Rotary Club scholarship to study opera. After a few years he gave up on the idea, his range had extended but his tessitura would have made him a Wagnerian tenor, with few occupational opportunities in Italy.

Here's a proper baritone singing a Schubert Lied:

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3WUUSOwjSA[/youtube]

[Shostakovich]

Sandro,

Ah-yes Fischer-Dieskau, I have a couple CDs that feature him - he is the old guard for Schubert lieder.  One CD is Shoene Mullerin with Bostridge singing while Fischer-Dieskau narrated.  I took this pairing to indicate a sort of passing of the baton so that Bostridge now steps into the place made by Dietrich.

Not so many opportunities for Wagnerians in Italy, eh.  Funny.  He should have come to Seattle - our Ring cycle receives international patronage.  The rest of the time he could have served beer to grunge rockers.  It seems we have more than a common interest in RW, music and astrology.  I also worked for IBM.

Lilly,

Oh-no, outrage, flame-war, Lilly disapproves of Black-Flag.    

Yes, your Russian notion must certainly be true - great genius is indicated through appreciation of fine music.  There is an idea all of us participating in this thread can agree upon.  In fact mathematical aptitude correlates with music appreciation.  I remember seeing a study on that at St. Olaf college in Minnesota.  Alas, that the converse relationship does not hold.

Clue me in if you go forward with that blog.  The subject intersects many that interest me.  For example language does not derive from arbitrary grunts and such.  The sound goes with the object.  It is why babies say ma when referring to mother.  So exploration of music goes with exploration of the psyche. 

[Lily]

But, Shosty, just because the music turns to be painful to my ears, it does not mean that I disapprove of it Come on

What 'Russian notion' do you see in there, I am curious?

[Shostakovich]

But, Shosty, just because the music turns to be painful to my ears, it does not mean that I disapprove of it Come on

Sophisticated European attitudes I see.  You must forgive me, we're rather simple here in the US.

What 'Russian notion' do you see in there, I am curious?

The one that came from the Russian verse line you quoted. 

[SANDRO43]

There is an idea all of us participating in this thread can agree upon. In fact mathematical aptitude correlates with music appreciation.  I remember seeing a study on that at St. Olaf college in Minnesota. Alas, that the converse relationship does not hold.

I beg to disagree, my mathematical aptitudes have always been rather limited .

The sound goes with the object. It is why babies say ma when referring to mother.

After they're told what the object should sound like . If mamas said, say,  'joo-joo' when referring to themselves and providing nourishment, I'd bet no "ma" would issue from those little mouths .

[Shostakovich]

I beg to disagree, my mathematical aptitudes have always been rather limited .

No need to disagree - I was suggesting that if you are mathematically inclined that there is a better than even chance of being musically inclined.  On the other hand, if you are musically inclined, it does imply talent with math.

After they're told what the object should sound like . If mamas said, say,  'joo-joo' when referring to themselves and providing nourishment, I'd bet no "ma" would issue from those little mouths .

People can certainly be trained, no doubt -- quite away from their natural inclinations.  There is plenty of evidence in that.  The mothers I know did not sit there pointing to themselves saying ma-ma-ma.  It just happened one day.  In any event the uniformity of the ma-mother association suggests a systemic as opposed to an arbitrary relationship.

[SANDRO43]

On the other hand, if you are musically inclined, it does imply talent with math.

Well, it doesn't in my case. Anyway, I consider a linguistic talent more conducive to musical appreciation (or viceversa ?) After all, both music and language deal with SOUND, not mathematics - perceivably, regardless of whether acoustics tells us so. Numbers were presumably invented long after words were, and Pythagoras dates just from the VI century BC . 

The mothers I know did not sit there pointing to themselves saying ma-ma-ma. 

Of course not. But wouldn't they have often said  something like "One more spoonful for Mama" while feeding, or "Make a big smile for Mama", or similar?  That'd be positive reinforcement for the child, associating "Mama" with food, attention, affection, etc., a standard training technique albeit unknowingly performed. 

[Ludmila]

Lily,



I can feel you have true appreciation for music. I am almost 100% sure you are a very subtle person.



Although music is better to listen to, not to describe, I can tell you, yes, music enables you to have a different feel of life





Although I am not a professional pianist, I have a pretty decent musical education ( I don't know, some people say they think I play professionally).



Yes, we have our family concerts. I like to play for those who can listen, feel, and appreciate. I like to give intimacy/ THE WAY I FEEL to everything i play.



Very often our best evenings at home  would be me playing Chopin or Beethoven, my husband-- reading.......... Russian classics in his favorite arm chair. He enjoys it immensely! ( I know, some colleagues on this forum hate the idea of Americans familiarizing themselves with the Russian literature and philosophy. Different people chose their own ways to enlighten and educate themselves ).



 I enjoy playing, and do it almost on an every day basis, Lily.



I adore and certainly play Gershwin, Tchaikovsky,Chopin, Schubert, the Beatles, Broadway hits, early Grebenchikov, etc, etc



BTW, being on this subject, i wonder if any guys/gals here could kindly  help me with the music terminology in English:



доминант септ аккорд-- dominant seventh cord ?



 Where can I find terminology  of this kind?

[Shostakovich]

Well, it doesn't in my case. Anyway, I consider a linguistic talent more conducive to musical appreciation (or viceversa ?) After all, both music and language deal with SOUND, not mathematics - perceivably, regardless of whether acoustics tells us so. Numbers were presumably invented long after words were, and Pythagoras dates just from the VI century BC . 

I think you make an excellent point about the role of language.  Mathematical aptitude often demonstrates abstract thinking and the ability to see patterns in things which is often needed to make sense of music.  This is important - Stravinsky caused quite a stir in 1913 with 'The rite of spring'.  Musicologists put it down to the inability of the audience to comprehend it.  At the next performance, it was warmly received - audience members had some time to understand that there was more to it than the sound of the Russian army advancing upon an enemy.  Incidently, Pythagoras famous theorem (a**2 + b**2 = c**2) was not invented by Pythagoras.  He was exiled by the king and went travelling about in India, apparently where the theorem was discovered.  It is found in sanskrit texts 4 centuries before Pythagoras.

Of course not. But wouldn't they have often said  something like "One more spoonful for Mama" while feeding, or "Make a big smile for Mama", or similar?  That'd be positive reinforcement for the child, associating "Mama" with food, attention, affection, etc., a standard training technique albeit unknowingly performed. 

Hmmn, but mothers say many things to their babies: "Look at Joey", "Open wide", "Did baby go potty?".  Hard to imagine that the little one could muster the linguistic chops to sort it all out and avoid associating any of the other repeated words it hears with the mother.  There has to be something inherent in the child's mind that guids it to the association of ma with mother.

[Lily]

  I am almost 100% sure you are a very subtle person.

 

Not that subtle Ludmila I measure 5'6 and love high heels  

Thank you for your kind words 

[wiz]

Not that subtle Ludmila I measure 5'6 and love high heels  

Thank you for your kind words 

 

Don't listen to her Ludmila!

Lilia is a very attractive and impressive lady, with abundance of charm, femininity, kindness, sophistication, intelligence and a female frailty that can only be understood, admired and appreciated by very few people with acquired taste for beautiful things in life, when they meet her!

I can only describe her as a rose with drops of morning mist waiting to open and blossom with the first rays of the morning sun!

I feel honoured meeting her for a friendly drink. 

To clarify, at the time I was already in love and in a relationship with my wife but even if I was free still too old to chase such a treasure!

Not educated in music but I love listening to classical, Italian, Russian and Greek romantic music.

[youtube=425,350] [/youtube]
 

One of the best unforgettable memories in my life, was the 3 tenors concert in Rome in 1994!

Sandro you guessed………….I was there……as I was also in San Remo in 1972!

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khHvMdzsW2c[/youtube]

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDtcidMR_6I[/youtube]

PS: Ludmila am I allowed to post Christmas photos in your post?

[SANDRO43]

BTW, being on this subject, i wonder if any guys/gals here could kindly  help me with the music terminology in English: доминант септ аккорд-- dominant seventh cord ? Where can I find terminology  of this kind?

Ludmila, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chord_(music) gives a fair description, and dominant 7th chord is correct in English.

BTW, if you'd like a handy little tool to determine quickly what notes make up a given chord in all keys, download All That Chords from http://o.gortais.free.fr/ .

[Ludmila]

Sandro, thank you so much!

I do know all the chords, Sandro. I just need the terminology only.

Thanks again.

[Jumper]

Certainly not a classically trained guitarist,
 *dominant 7th chord* ,  is correct in english as far as i remember ..
perhaps  if looking for a more common english reference,,
 just  called a  *Major 7th* ?   
please correct me if  i'm wrong! as I've forgotten most of  music theory i learned , and play by ear.
but by ear still recognize a major or  minor or augmented 7th. .or a major , minor ,dorian or other  scale etc..

[JR]

JollyRats, oh, I love your kitty - she's such a cutie! Her blue eyes are so beautiful!

Lucia was/is a boy. He was our second cat. The first being a girl which we named by combining our first names: Joe & Elena became Jele (jelly) Jelly wouldn't go near Elena and my ex absolutely hated that Lucia preferred me over her. We also had a dog by the name of Brahms, what an awesome friend he was.

[SANDRO43]

*dominant 7th chord* ,  is correct in english as far as i remember ..perhaps  if looking for a more common english reference,,  just  called a  *Major 7th* ? please correct me if  i'm wrong!

AJ, you are . For instance, in a C major scale:

- Dominant 7th chord (C7): C-E-G-Bb
- Major 7th chord (C7+): C-E-G-B

A 'dominant seventh' is a major triad chord with a minor seventh. The name comes from the fact that it occurs naturally in the seventh chord built on the dominant (fifth) scale degree of a given major key.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominant_seventh_chord

The terminology IS confusing, since the 7th note in a C scale is B, not Bb (a diminished 7th). Such chords with a 'foreign' 7th are often used in a cadenza to modulate to a tonality that contains the note (e.g. from C major to F major or D minor).

[Nat]

Lucia was/is a boy. He was our second cat. The first being a girl which we named by combining our first names: Joe & Elena became Jele (jelly) Jelly wouldn't go near Elena and my ex absolutely hated that Lucia preferred me over her. We also had a dog by the name of Brahms, what an awesome friend he was.

You know, I suspected that he was actually a boy, because he has a very cute manly face But in Russian Lucia sounds like a female name, so that's why I thought him to be a girl - sorry

[SANDRO43]

But in Russian Lucia sounds like a female name

It is in Italian - from Latin lux, lucis (fem., light). The masc. form is Lucio or Luciano. Santa Lucia (13th December) is the patroness of the blind .

[JR]

You know, I suspected that he was actually a boy, because he has a very cute manly face But in Russian Lucia sounds like a female name, so that's why I thought him to be a girl - sorry

Nat, you are right on both counts. We got Lucia as a kitten and I was told he was a she. My ex named him thinking it was a girl and by the time we found out the name was stuck to him like glue)))