Tag Archives: vladimir putin

great compositions/performances: Prokofiev – Symphony No.1 Opus 25 “Classical” (Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra, Valery Gergiev)


Prokofiev – Symphony No.1 Opus 25 “Classical” (Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra, Valery Gergiev)

Published on May 1, 2015

Recorded on 15 April 2012 at the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory.

Symphony Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre, St Petersburg / Valery Gergiev – musical director

Sergei Prokofiev – Symphony No.1 Opus 25 “Classical” (15’)
0:35 I. Allegro
5:20 II. Larghetto
9:35 III. Gavotta (Non troppo allegro)
11:17 IV. Finale (Molto vivace)

The Easter Festival is an internationally renowned event among classical music lovers, traditionally opened in Moscow on Easter Sunday. Each year the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra and its musical director Valery Gergiev travel across Russia – for the past 10 years now!
In 2012 we were given an exceptional musical gift: the Mariinsky Theatre Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Valery Gergiev performed the complete cycle of Sergei Prokofiev’s symphonies and piano concerti – a composer with whom Maestro Gergiev and the orchestra seem particularly in tune.

 

this day in the yesteryear: Victory Day (1945)


Victory Day (1945)

Still celebrated in most of the Soviet successor states, Victory Day marks Nazi Germany‘s capitulation to the USSR in WWII. Signed on the evening of May 8, 1945—May 9 in Moscow’s time zone—the surrender followed Germany’s initial capitulation to the Allies. When the first surrender document was being signed, only one Soviet representative was present, and he had no instructions from Moscow nor any means of immediate contact with Soviet leaders. Was he punished or lauded for deciding to sign it? More… Discuss

today’s holiday/commemoration: Lebanon Martyrs’ Day


Martyrs' Statue in Martyrs' Square

Martyrs’ Statue in Martyrs’ Square (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Lebanon Martyrs’ Day

Martyrs’ Day has been observed as a public holiday since 1970 to honor the fallen heroes of Arab nationalism. The date, May 6, was selected to commemorate the 21 Arab intellectuals who were hanged on that date in 1916 in Beirut, Lebanon, and Damascus, Syria, by an official of the occupying Ottoman Empire. On Martyrs’ Day, ceremonies of public commemoration are led by government officials in Beirut at Martyrs’ Square, named in honor of the murdered nationalists. Officials and citizens also lay wreaths at martyrs’ monuments in Beirut and throughout the country. More… Discuss

Nigel Farage: Stop playing wargames with Putin


Nigel Farage: Stop playing wargames with Putin

this day in the yesteryear: Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Formed (1922)


Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Formed (1922)

Traditionally considered the successor state of the Russian Empire, the USSR was established in 1922 and unified the Russian, Ukrainian, Belorussian, and Transcaucasian Soviet republics under one government. The largest country in the world, the USSR occupied a seventh of the land surface on Earth. It became a superpower that rivaled the US in domination of global affairs until its collapse and dissolution in 1991. In what year were diplomatic relations between the US and USSR first established? More… Discuss

this pressed: Putin in Turkey Amid Syria Differences (Him and Pope Francis!)


Putin in Turkey Amid Syria Differences

Putin will be welcomed at Erdogan‘s new mega-palace that has drawn the ire of Turkish opposition parties, environmentalists and activists who say the 1,000-room complex is too costly and extravagant and went ahead despite a court ruling. Putin is the second foreign dignitary to receive an official welcome at the palace, after Pope Francis who visited on Friday.

01/12/2014 13:21 by: ABC News: Top

via Putin in Turkey Amid Syria Differences.

this day in the yesteryear: Scuttling of the French fleet in Toulon (1942)


Scuttling of the French fleet in Toulon (1942)

When Nazi Germany occupied northern and western France in 1940, the coastal city of Toulon fell under Vichy jurisdiction in the so-called unoccupied zone in the south. The center of French naval power since the 19th century, Toulon housed much of the French fleet. When, in 1942, Germany finally occupied all of France and Toulon’s capture appeared imminent, the French scuttled much of the fleet rather than allow the vessels to fall into German hands. What was the German mission in Toulon called? More… Discuss

“We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals” — Immanuel Kant— ✍ Bibliophilia


What I like most about elephants is that they don’t play mind games… (no, not those elephants though) —George-B

this day in the yesteryear: Boris Yeltsin Orders Tanks to Storm Russian Parliament (1993)


Boris Yeltsin Orders Tanks to Storm Russian Parliament (1993)

As president of an independent Russia, Boris Yeltsin sought to end state control of the economy but clashed with parliament, which was controlled by former Communists. When Yeltsin suspended the parliament, it retaliated by naming Vice President Aleksandr Rutskoi as acting president, and anti-Yeltsin forces barricaded themselves inside the parliament building. The military interceded on Yeltsin’s side and, after a bloody battle, troops recaptured the parliament building. What was the death toll? More… Discuss

From EUROPARL: Nigel Farage: Stop playing wargames with Putin – Video source: EbS (European Parliament)


Nigel Farage: Stop playing wargames with Putin

this pressed: Ukraine: Nato hält Niederlage für Kiew für sicher – SPIEGEL ONLINE (Analysis of the military situation: NATO sees Ukraine as already loser)



Ukraine: Prorussische Separatisten auf dem Vormarsch

Ukraine: Nato hält Niederlage für Kiew für sicher – SPIEGEL ONLINE.

(Analysis of the military situation: NATO sees Ukraine as already loser)

Excerpts from article:  “Kiev / Moscow NATO has changed its military assessment of the situation in eastern Ukraine fundamentally. A week ago, the strategists of the Alliance assumed that Russia has strengthened the separatists with covert troops only because the pro-Russian rebels had to retreat under pressure of the Ukrainian army.

When the generals of the alliance but then late last week to a crisis meeting on the situation of the army of the Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko came together, they painted a grim picture. Militarily, the conflict for Kiev is already lost,” stated a senior NATO general. Poroshenko, the judgment, were really only talks to withdraw his men alive from the pliers of the Russians“.

The location descriptions behind closed doors were far more dramatic than the few images that NATO published mid-week. On large maps were marked with thick arrows Russian units, which now from the north, the west and the south on the border of eastern Ukraine are at least 20 Battalions  with a minimum of 500 men and heavy guns are the scouts of NATO.”
(translation from German to English with the aid of Google Translate online service)

this pressed watch video here: Ukraine detains Russian paratroopers; U.S. ambassador warns of ‘counteroffensive’ – The Washington Post (“davai ceas, davai palton”…) the never ending story


Ukraine detains Russian paratroopers; U.S. ambassador warns of ‘counteroffensive’ – The Washington Post.

quotation: This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it. Ralph Waldo Emerson


This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it.

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) Discuss

great compositions/performances: Stravinsky: The Firebird / Gergiev · Vienna Philarmonic · Salzburg Festival 2000


[youtube.com/watch?v=RZkIAVGlfWk]

Stravinsky: The Firebird / Gergiev · Vienna Philarmonic · Salzburg Festival 2000

Great presentation of the Vienna Philharmonic conducted by the russian Maestro Valery Gergiev, in one of the most powerful and greatest presentation of The Firebird (L’Oiseau de feu) of Igor Stravinsky at Salzburg Festival 2000.

this pressed: BBC News – Ukraine crisis: Russia must engage with Kiev, says G7


BBC News – Ukraine crisis: Russia must engage with Kiev, says G7.

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this pressed: Two-dinner Hollande hosts Obama and Putin seeking Ukraine thaw | Reuters


Two-dinner Hollande hosts Obama and Putin seeking Ukraine thaw | Reuters.U.S. President Barack Obama (L) and France's President Francois Hollande participate in the G7 summit at the European Council headquarters in Brussels June 5, 2014.  REUTERS/Laurent Dubrule

“Nobody can refuse French cuisine… Hope it settles well and agrees with everyone’s stomach…”

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today’s holiday: Be Kind to Animals Week


Be Kind to Animals Week

Be Kind to Animals Week was first observed in 1915. Established by Dr. William O. Stillman, the leader of the American Humane Association at the time, this week was dedicated to helping animals and to publicizing the achievements of the nation’s humane societies. Today, Be Kind to Animals week is observed by thousands of animal shelters across the country in the first full week of May. They host special media events, promote education on the humane treatment of animals, and try to remind people of the debt that humankind owes to both wild and domestic animals. More… Discuss

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Just a thought: Imagine going to sleep in your sovereign country, and waking up in as annexed to the neighboring one: Such is the fate of Ukrainian Citizen….What a shame!


click on image to access the report at CNN

click on image to access the report at CNN

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Visit at your own risk! I personally expressed my wish not to be associated in any way with this instigating website listed on my discussion settings!


http://usconstitutionalfreepress.wordpress.com/

click to access this site (at your own risk) AKA john galt keeps rebblogging my copyrighted posts even after my expressed wish that he abstain!

Visit at your own risk! I personally expressed my wish not to be associated in any way with this instigating website listed on my discussion settings!

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NEWS: CONTROVERSIAL CRIMEA REFERENDUM DRAWS SANCTIONS


Controversial Crimea Referendum Draws Sanctions

Despite opposition from Kiev and the West, Crimeamoved forward with a referendum in which voters overwhelmingly backed seceding from Ukraine and joining Russia. Given the buildup of Russian troops in the region and the hurried nature of the referendum, many question the legitimacy of the vote. Nevertheless, Crimean officials—whose authority is also contested—lost little time in formally applying to join Russia. The US and EU responses were swift, though not as far-reaching as some had hoped; sanctions were imposed on a number of individuals in Russia and Crimea who pushed for or helped carry out the referendum. More… Discuss

 

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WORD: BAREFACED


barefaced 

Definition: (adjective) With no effort to conceal.
Synonyms: bald
Usage: They attacked him in various ways—with barefaced questions, ingenious suppositions, and distant surmises; but he eluded the skill of them all. Discuss

 

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History of Ukraine (excerpts from Wikipedia) <<<>>


[youtube.com/watch?v=28Ms7_K4TMM
History of Ukraine
]

Tetyana Ivanytska “Have Mercy On Me, Oh Lord” (Ukrainian classical music)
Artists: “Khreschatyk” Academic Chamber Choir, a conductor — Pavlo Struts
Kyiv, 2008

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 
 
Part of a series on the
History of Ukraine
Coat of arms of Ukraine
Portal icon Ukraine portal
 

The territory of Ukraine has been inhabited for at least forty four thousand years.[1] It is where the horse was first domesticated[2] and a candidate site of the origins of the Proto-Indo-European language family.[3][4]

According to a popular and well established theory, the medieval state of Kievan Rus was established by the Varangians in the 9th century as the first historically recorded East Slavic state. It emerged as a powerful nation in the Middle Ages but disintegrated in the 12th century. By the middle of the 14th century, present Ukrainian territories were under the rule of three external powers: the Golden Horde, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and the Kingdom of Poland, during the 15th century these lands came under the rule of the Crown of the Kingdom of PolandPolish Lithuanian Commonwealth (since 1569), and Crimean Khanate.[5] In 1653 the greater portion of the population rebelled against dominantly Polish Catholic rule and in January 1654 an assembly of the people (rada) voted at Pereyaslav to turn to Moscow, effectively joining the southeastern portion of the Polish-Lithuanian empire east of the Dnieper River to Russia.[6] After the Partitions of Poland (1772–1795) and conquest of Crimean Khanate, Ukraine was divided between Russia and Austria, thus the largest part of Ukraine was integrated into theRussian Empire, with the rest under Austrian (known as Austro-Hungarian since 1849) control.

chaotic period of warfare ensued after the Russian Revolution, with internationally recognized establishment of an independent Ukrainian People’s Republic. Independent Ukraine emerged from its own civil war. The Ukrainian–Soviet Warfollowed, which resulted in the Soviet Army establishing control in late 1919[7]Soviet victory. The conquerors created theUkrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, which on 30 December 1922 became one of the founding republics of the Soviet Union. The Soviet government was hostile to Ukrainian language and Ukrainian culture; there were mass repressions of Ukrainian poets, historians and linguists. Then there was a genocide of Ukrainians: millions of people starved to death in 1932 and 1933 in the Holodomor. After the 1939 invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany and Soviet Union, the Ukrainian SSR’s territory was enlarged westward. During World War II the Ukrainian Insurgent Army tried to reestablish Ukrainian independence and fought against both Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. But in 1941 Ukraine was occupied by Nazi Germany, being liberated in 1944. In 1945, the Ukrainian SSR became one of the founding members of the United Nations.[8] In 1954, it expanded to the south with the transfer of the Crimea.

Ukraine became independent again when the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. This dissolution started a period of transition to amarket economy, in which Ukraine suffered an eight-year recession.[9] Since then, however, the economy has experienced a high increase in GDP growthUkraine was caught up in the worldwide economic crisis in 2008 and the economy plunged. GDP fell 20% from spring 2008 to spring 2009, then leveled off as analysts compared the magnitude of the downturn to the worst years of economic depression during the early 1990s.[10]

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Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky – Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64



Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky – Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64
Wiener Philharmoniker Orchestra, Herbert von Karajan

 

This Day in the Yesteryear: RUSSIAN JOURNALIST AND HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST MURDERED (2006)


Russian Journalist and Human Rights Activist Murdered (2006)

Anna Politkovskaya was a Russian journalist and human rights activist well known for her opposition to the Russian government’s role in the Chechen conflict and her criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin, notably in her book Putin’s Russia. Her controversial work sparked numerous death threats against her, and she was shot to death in an elevator in her apartment building on October 7, 2006. Her murder, which remains unsolved, coincided with what other occasion? More… Discuss

PUTIN LEADS BIRD MIGRATION


 

Putin Leads Bird Migration

Russian President Vladimir Putin continued to cultivate his image as a nature-lover this week, flying in a motorized deltaplane to introduce several young Siberian cranes to the wild. The flight in the Yamal Peninsula was intended to prompt the birds, which were born in captivity, to follow the plane in preparation for their migration route. The effort is part of a larger project to protect the species, which isendangeredMore… Discuss