It is the time of year for the “Tchaikovsky Spectacular,” which means the end of the summer outdoor concert season with the 1812 Overture with cannons and fireworks. Here in Southern California that means The Hollywood Bowl and many other regional … [Read more...]
Writing for the Russian Media
For almost a year now I have been writing for the respected Russian news media RIA Novosti. I and about six others write weekly columns on various subjects. My column is called “Musings of a Russophile” and comes out each Friday. The subject may be … [Read more...]
Dr. Zhivago Lives…
Peredelkino it was a magic feeling looking out from Boris Pasternak’s tall windows into the red and golden woods on that autumn day and to know he saw the same thing when he looked up from his small desk as he wrote “Doctor Zhivago.” It is a village … [Read more...]
Nothing of Importance since 1812?
Russians can come out with the most amazing opinions. There was a large gathering in Moscow’s Red Square for the 50th anniversary of the end of the Great Patriotic War (aka WWII) and I was listening to the National Symphony Orchestra from … [Read more...]
Bernard Herrmann~an Artist that Thrills
I learned in film class that the better the film score, the least you notice it. It is just an invisible but vital part of the story. But some scores are historic and live forever on their own. The music of Bernard Herrmann is among the most … [Read more...]
Changing Russia~ Patience Pays!
The American or Western visitor or businessman has a special challenge in fitting into the colorful and exciting environment of an evolving Russia. The world is not really so flat as to obscure the character of a people, though superficial … [Read more...]
Russia’s Victory Day!!
There is nothing like a Russian military parade. And on May 9, this year, it will happen all over Russia again. As usual, there will be the patriotic bands, goose-stepping soldiers, rockets, missile launchers, freshly painted armored personnel … [Read more...]
PRAGUE~ A very special city
From my global travels there is a short list of cities that remain as very special places to me, for many different reasons. Prague, in the Czech Republic, is certainly one of them. I had a business there. Prague has been a political, cultural … [Read more...]
St. Petersburg~A Favorite City of Mine
As usual in Russia, it is a place of mixed meaning and effect. Founded by Peter the Great in 1703 as his “Window on the West” it is still that and for that reason a place at arm’s length from the rest of Russia. And for that reason, one of the most … [Read more...]