Traditional Russian Woman's Life Philosophy: candles

[Ludmila]

Mies et all,

In the light of our discussion about traditional Russian woman's life philosophy and the power of the esthetic factor for harmonious home and mood, I am attaching some pictures of my home I made this Christmas to gladden your eyes. I hope I don't offend your taste, Mies.

[Ludmila]

More to share

[JR]

Nothing like the touch of a woman to turn a house into a home)))

[Seeker]

Nothing like the touch of a woman to turn a house into a home)))

It is the beautiful piano, and the books that caught my attention.  The candles were the perfect light to see them in.

[SANDRO43]

Tradition...from another Russia, and some nice music :

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRdfX7ut8gw[/youtube]

[Shostakovich]

Sounds like Itzak Perlman on the violin.

The subject of tradition does raise interesting questions.  How many really go to the FSU for the 'traditional' lady?  Maybe a few.  But in these days when everything is permitted it seems we often run amok in the freedom and the traditional way of life, irrespective of denomination, melts away like our polar ice caps.  It may be that as a people we were happier in the older times, despite the hardship, but personally, I feel there is no going back.  Our modern era presents a new challenge that many have not yet understood how to grapple with.  It is the challenge of individuality - something only a few have had the luxury to explore in olden times.  Some solutions may be found in traditions, but I think they are often so choked with dust that it is no longer possible, even as the old jew in the clip has said, to understand the wisdom that stands behind traditional ways of life. 

[SANDRO43]

Sounds like Itzak Perlman on the violin.

I believe it was played by Isaac Stern.

[Shostakovich]

Close call.  Clearly not that Heifitz or Menuhin though.   

[SANDRO43]

Stern was born in 1920, Jascha Heifetz in 1901 and Yehudi Menuhin in 1916, so they are closer together than Itzhak Perlman, born in 1945 - at least one generation later with studies after WWII: that makes for some stylistic differences, usually less fire/abandon and more technique.

[Shostakovich]

Brahms and Wagner lived at the same time but couldn't be more different.

Now that you mention it, there seems to be continuity between Stern and Perlman.  There is a certain warmth in the approach.  It carries over from the violin to other instruments.  Yo-Yo Ma carries the form forward with the Cello.  Hiefetz was unique - he was all icicles and technique, trying to create God in his sonatas by Bach. 

[Lily]

Wow Ludmila, what a gorgeous views you posted Especially I like the piano and other music related things    The wall of bare concrete makes an impression of some ancient castle, where this interior may belong.

I think that a traditional woman who would be able to create this kind of ambience lives in many modern educated career minded Russian women. She just needs to be waken up Traditionality may be one of her facets either hidden or silent, and would come on the surface when time is right. 

Of note, by traditionality in women I'd rather mean some classic upbringing like passion for arts, antiques, certain spirituality and the like. There may be some other concepts about it, however.

[JR]

A piano can certainly add elegance and style to a home. This photo of our cat Lucia laying on the paino was in a 2005 pet calendar.

[Ludmila]

 Lily ( and the guys up the thread), thanks for the warm words  of appreciation.

Lily, for me, too, "traditional" means traditional life philosophy embracing all the aspects of life that traditionally have been considered "valuable"-- a sense of home, a sense of compassion, love, a sense of the beautiful ( be it art, literature, music, etc), and all the best human aspirations (which , over centuries,became an endless number of themes  in all these spheres of human life activity) .

 I simply attached these pics to share with everybody who cares to see, and, probably , those who were very sceptical with regard to  what I wrote from the perspective of a  traditional woman's life philosophy.

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.

 What is music in YOUR life, Lily?

[Ludmila]

JR, your Lucia is a serious girl, who, undoubtedly,  knows the power of a contrast !

[Nat]

Ludmila, very nice design - it looks really stylish, thanks for sharing!
JollyRats, oh, I love your kitty - she's such a cutie! Her blue eyes are so beautiful!

[Assamena]

Nat I agree, JollyRats kitty is very nice!!!

[Lily]

 
 What is music in YOUR life, Lily?

Mmmm...a lot 

The Schubert was a regular lullaby in baby Lily's life through Georgy Vinogradov's voice:


His voice reminded me of my father's own voice tone, that's why I loved it so much as a kid.

Toddler Lily was intensively fed with Tchaikovsky. Mother used to buy those big cartons of vynil, you know. This 1960x version of Eugeny Onegin in Bolschoy would be one of the best performances. Till now I have this opera sounding in my mind

With some 5 years old, I was sent to a local musical salon, sort of preparation for a music school. In Soviet times, lots of girls were studying in them. But I turned to be too lazy for reading music, and preferred to compose my own things on piano. Or just played what I heard, it was so much easier and fun

As for the music generally, I believe that music is something that human mind and soul are totally perceptive of. There is nothing that would outbeat music. In plain Russian, музыка - это то, перед чем человек беззащитен

[Shostakovich]

Glad to see we have some Schubert fans here.  Interest in classical music belongs to a rather small but devoted, and thankfully well-endowed following.  There are quite a few Russians here in Seattle, something I am thankful for as they are a force behind our classical music scene.  It is one of the things I especially appreciate about Russians - they have not forgotten their cultural roots.  It is a downside of the US as we become too easily enamored with what is new and toss aside what should be preserved in the old as if they were yesterday's newspapers.

There is quite allot to the music of Franz S.  D959 is an special favorite.  Here is a performance from Die Shoene Mullerin that I thought was very well done.

[Lily]

 Interest in classical music belongs to a rather small but devoted, and thankfully well-endowed following.  
 

Shosty, I didn't quite understand what you mean by 'well-endowed following', please?

Thanks for that link - really, the performance is so unusual that I barely recognized a song of my early years! Just recognized it when looking at # 19  He starts sooo slowly...but the end sounds already familiar

Never heard Bostridge singing the Muellerin before. Very rich male voice, with some rare noble undertones, like an old precious well adjusted instrument. But Bostrigde himself..I'd prefer listening to him over watching him. Sort of neurotic character..or may be he is just acting.

[Shostakovich]

Well-endowed -- with money.  At least here in Seattle.  In the last 20 years we have new opera and classical music halls and our Seattle Art museum was also endowed, so that we now have more than a few totem poles to look at.

Bostridge is a quirky character.  Tall and lanky pencil-neck with the deep baritone.  No dummy.  He was a professor at Oxford I hear.  Gave it up to focus on music.  He is trying to position himself as a the bridge between classical music and the younger generation.  His interpretations seem to reflect the more intense side of Schubert - and that is the thing about Franz, the composer capable of warmth and compassion such as in a song like Ave Maria and the chill winds of the Winterese or the 'Death and Maiden' String quartet.  Franz covers much ground often within the same piece.  He presents no single sentiment as in that lullaby sung to a dead child.  In this he plays the trick of the old masters, the contrast between light and dark is what lures one in and makes the music more than just a tune to whistle, instead something to contemplate.

Also, in the video, do not overlook Mitsko Uchida on the piano -- she is the best for the Schubert Piano sonatas.  There is not much up on youtube from her.  I've not heard this one before - but I really like it so far:

 

 

[SANDRO43]

Bostridge is a quirky character. Tall and lanky pencil-neck with the deep baritone.

Deep baritone ? In that clip he sounds like a tenor to me .

[Shostakovich]

Right you are on the baritone/tenor debate.  Bostridge does have a rich voice, but the pitch is up higher.  In fact I have no training in music.  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.

[SANDRO43]

Vocal range of baritone

Vocal range of tenor

[BillyB]

I am attaching some pictures of my home I made this Christmas to gladden your eyes.

Your home looks cozier than mine! Do you want to trade homes? Maybe you're not ready to decorate another bachelor pad since you've already decorated your husband's.

[Shostakovich]

Vocal range of baritone

Vocal range of tenor

My first music lesson.  Gratsia tuto - I need Italian lessons also.  In fact I was not so far off.  Tenor and Baritone overlap quite a bit.