Music and the Arts

May 29th, 2006

Many Russians who were brought up in the former Soviet Union have a love for the arts. When I say arts, I mean Art, Music and Ballet. My wife is no exception. In fact she has a degree in Art History and she used to teach Piano in a school. She plays piano very beautifully.

What brought this subject up you may ask? Earlier this week, we went to an art exhibition. We saw the works of a very famous artist named “James Abbott McNeill Whistler”. Some of you may have heard of him. He was a very popular American Artist from the mid 1800′s till his death in 1903.

Famous artwork - Whistlers Mother

Lena also enjoys ballet. I have been to the ballet 3 or 4 times that I can remember. I am not a lover of the ballet. Honestly, it is all I can do to stay awake. But, if you go to Russia, it is mandatory that you go at least once to experience it. Who knows, you may really enjoy it! The ballet is kind of special though. This is where I asked Lena to marry me.

The Russian Ballet

The Famous Bolshoi Theater

Lena also enjoys classical music very much. Of course she likes the famous Russian composer, Tchaikovsky. But she likes classical music by most other composers as well. This is something I have learned to like. I never would have bothered with classical music if I had never married a Russian woman. Like the ballet, it made me bored and want to sleep. But I have come to appreciate this good music. I even drink hot tea on a rare occasion as well as drink a little wine.