Friday, April 27, 2007

A Concise Discussion on Ethnic Russian Music

Music is an elemental increment of anyone's lifestyle, and in the case of Russians, the situation is no different. As a matter of fact, the ethnic music of Russians is known by many, simply because this kind of music ordinarily contains the colorful characteristics of grassroot Russia.

Ordinarily, this type of music comprises varying kinds including popular, folk, and classical. The most regular association of ethnic music in Russia is with the classical styles, particularly opera and ballet; in this type of music, the celebrated composers are Igor Stravinsky, Mikhail Glinka, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Sergei Prokofiev, and The Mighty Handful members. During the late 19th century, some elements of the ethnic music in Russia were presented in orchestras, which created the celebrated opera singer Fyodor Shalyapin.

This Russian music did not go all the way to accomplishment and greatness without any obstacle, especially during the Soviet period, when the USSR restricted music around the Soviet areas because of political reasons. Years later, when Russia gained its self-reliance, its incomparable culture and music was revived and eventually gave birth to a number of popular high-end ethnomucisians such as Vyacheslav Shchurov, Vladimir Vysotsky, Pojuschie Gitary, Zhanna Bichevskaya, Nadezhda Kadysheva, and Boris Grebenshchikov.

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Encountering Famous World Heritage in the Hermitage

Even as a child, I am not so amazed with the idea of a museum expedition; I just don't know what drives me nuts whenever somebody is raising a plan of this sort. Well, it may be because I am not very fond of the earlier era and everything that is equated with it. But when a Russian fellow drove me to the Hermitage during one of my visits, I respectfully gave in even though I was kind of repulsive inside. I deemed submitting myself to the invitation was the finest thing to do to a proud, patriotic Russian.

As we entered the Hermitage, I was startled by the vastness of the whole building; I even remembered my fellow saying it would require some years to tour around the Hermitage. Though, it was impossible to see the entirety of the museum and all the collections, I was somehow happy that I could at least sight some of the arty products of the famous geniuses such as Picasso and Rembrandt. There were also examples of masterpieces from the ancient Roman and Greek empires, adding more to the endless elegance of the entire museum.

Now, I apprehend why my fellow was that patriotic. If only all the museums I know were as stylish as the gorgeous Hermitage, I think I could spend a whole week, month, or year frequenting them.

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Recognizing the Sense of Russian Service

When my parents celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary, we delighted in this five-star cafe. Various traditional Russian cuisines were served and we were all delighted to taste them that extraordinary day. While in the middle of the meal, my father said something like he admired the Russian Service in the cafe. I was bewildered with what he said because I did not know the meaning of what he cites as the Russian Service.

My parent explained to me the Russian Service and I was so amazed while listening to his explanation. Pop said that the Russian Service is a way of serving the cuisines on the table. The said Service did not actually originate in Russia but that procedure of cuisine serving was introduced by the Russian czar's ambassador. The Russian Service came into Russia in the early 1800's and it was only in the 1850's that it became prominent in France and in other parts of the sphere. The Russian Service, where every cuisine is given to each person on the table individually, is what most cafes use today.

I presume that the Russian Service is a more organized method of cuisine serving compared to other ways such as the French Service, where the dishes are put on the table all at once. I expect this bite of trivia helped you in knowing more about Russia and its past.

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Captivating Anna Kournikova As One Of Russia's Noted Fashion Icon

When I recently went to Russia, and was asked to name a noted fashion icon, the first name that comes to my mind is the captivating Anna Kournikova. First known as a Russian pro-tennis player, Anna Kournikova has become a fashion icon, not only because of her savvy styles on the court, but also because of her finesse and captivating figure, making her one of the most endorsed tennis player. Born in scenic Moscow, the alluring Kournikova started playing tennis at the tender age of five, and has been invading tennis courts ever since. Aside from conquering several Grand Slams in the 1999 Australian Open, Kournikova has also been gracing the covers of numerous sports and men's magazines, such as the Sports Illustrated, FHM, and Maxim. Because of her novel Russian beauty and figure, Kournikova has been hailed as one of the most attractive women according to the popular People's Magazine. She has also been the spokesperson of several worldwide brands such as Adidas, Berlei, Omega, and Yonex, making her one of the prosperous women in sports. This captivating retired tennis player and model was also assigned a small role as a motel manager in the comedy movie "Me, Myself, And Irene" along with Jim Carrey. Her attractive presence in a previously male-dominated world of tennis is a validation that women can do what men can, and sometimes, even better.

Monday, April 23, 2007

Presenting the Standards in the Booming Moscow Hotel Industry

If there is one thing that ranks the Golden Apple Boutique Hotel apart from other hotels in the Russian capital zone of Moscow, it is the fact that it happens to be the first of its kind in all of Russia. Presumably, it is also the first Russian hotel that opened its doors to welcome foreign visitors, plainly to get to know more about the region in particular and Russia in general.

Suitably located in the central commercial district of Moscow, the hotel has 92 different rooms spread out across the whole seven-story structure, with two modern elevators serving as the decisive link among the floors. The floors themselves are painted in diverse colors, making them uniquely distinctive, leading to a virtual hotel rainbow amidst a backdrop of calming gray walls.

Adding more attraction to this Moscow building is the fact that no artificial materials were used during its construction time. Only natural wood, alongside slides and marbles, was utilized to establish the final structure of the hotel, and given added elegance with sophisticated furnishings produced by popular Russian designers Cappellini and Casina.

The rooms are equipped with basic but modern amenities to make sightseers feel at home, even while in a foreign land. For business travelers, an exercise area is on hand to help them get rid of the attendant stress that accompanies every business deal. Meanwhile, leisure travelers will absolutely find the innumerable shopping centers and contemporary restaurants truly worth visiting, especially since these are all within walking distance from the hotel. Additionally, they can try walking through prominent Moscow landmarks such as Red Square, Bolshoy Theater, and the Kremlin, which are all settled nearby.