Of Russian haircuts

Russian soul

These are the sparks that Chassidus harvested.

Russian Paganini (listen to the first piece only):



Train Home:



Music Box (he imitates playing a music box as beggars used to, a piano, a violin, and then plays some Classical and contemporary pieces):



Mozart’s Turkish March (Rondo alla Turca):



Eastern Melody:



On Tariverdiev’s (famous Russian composer who wrote many soulful scores for Russian movies) music:



Vanya:

Masterclass vignettes

With only little time left for listening of instrumental music before the coming of Mashiach (iy”H), one more music video — of the famous Russian cellist Mstislav Rostropovich “critiquing” the play of a young musician as a part of the Masterclass series.


(click on HQ for better picture and sound quality — in this case it may be necessary to understand Maestro)

It may seem that these videos I post are videos of music that I enjoy. This is true. But they are also videos of Judaism (as all my posts are — well, the serious ones, anyway). This one in particular.

From the same concerto, “critique” by Paul Tortelier:



And finally, a very important part (listen to the part starting from 1:52 — related to this comment to TRS’s post about Jewish music):

Dead Souls

Based, of course, on Gogol’s famous work.



One of my favorite composers. One of my favorite pieces of music.



After all this, only one question remains: why, despite my best efforts, am I still subscribed to the mailing list of the Archery club and every day receive detailed reports of their activities, practice sessions, canceled practice sessions (mostly because of weather), and, lately, announcements about club T-shirts?

Mitteler Rebbe’s Kapelyeh

Adapted for piano.

This melody is […] divided into four sections, symbolizing the four rungs on the ladder of approach and devotion of man to G-dliness.

The Tzemach Tzedek explained that the purpose of the orchestra which played on certain occasions for his father-in-law, the Mitteler Rebbe, was to prevent him from reaching the state of termination of earthly existence (kelos ha’nefesh). In his supreme [earning for] the Almighty, the Rebbe could have literally expired unto G-dliness.

Another version of the Kapelyeh, with notes.

Chapters 10, 18 and 32 from Mittler Rebbe’s Sha’ar HaYichud.

A car crash

The original:



Well, the original original (skip to 3:45 if you have to):

Davening

“When a Lubavitcher davens, he whispers.”

Look at this man’s hands.



Or, a little more energetic:

Halachic process — 1

Following a discussion with my rabbi and my pianist friend.

Is this what psak din is? (PG-613.)

Leaves a bit too much to imagination

From the article “Which Vodka is the Best?”

Grey Goose
$29.99 for 750 milliliters; 80 proof
French; distilled from wheat, rye, and barley

Made in Cognac but owned by the American Bacardi Corp., Grey Goose was introduced in the United States in 1997 and has since won a great many industry awards.

We were underwhelmed: Grey Goose is sweet and smoky, with hints of anise and citrus in the finish, but it all adds up to only a sort of smooth, uninteresting neutrality. And so, while the more generous half of our panel praised Grey Goose's "long, silky aftertaste" and "pleasing burn," detractors found it "bland," "spineless," and "vaguely medicinal."

In the end, seven tasters agreed that the vodka's softness and subtlety made it a solid, if unremarkable, choice. Four found it to be too unremarkable and lacking the bite or character they expected from a self-described "ultra-premium" spirit.

Final Verdict: "Leaves a bit too much to the imagination."
Grade: Three Shot Glasses

I still find it remarkable (not Grey Goose). Absolutely amazing.

You talkin’ to me?..

PG‒613:



A little critique of populism: