Marx, Music, Marti, and Mayhem

Back in 1971 when OTR was in the throes of grad school, he was in love with Marti. She was the most beautiful Marxist he knew and one who enjoyed film and fine music. Marti introduced him to the films of Sergei Eisenstein and their more revolutionary musical scores by Sergei Prokofiev , but their love of music took them beyond the silver screen. Together, they would enjoy many National Symphony Orchestra concerts at the Kennedy Center dressed in their revolutionary blue jeans and Pendleton shirts and seated in Orchestra Center, Row Three. They went so often, the young concertmaster (Miran Kojian) began to greet them when the orchestra was seated. And yes, they were making a statement. After all, the contradictions were not confined to the concert hall. They were everywhere in the tumultuous American experience of 1971, but that discussion is for another time.

What brings these memories to the fore is a spectacular performance of Prokofiev's
cantata arranged from his score for the 1938 Eisenstein film, Alexander Nevsky. This vivid, complex, and patriotic music (about 35 minutes in length) is available for the next four days on BBC's Radio 3 high-definition Internet link. The concert is part of the Proms 21 music festival and features Andris Nelsons, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, and soloist, Nadezhda Serdiuk. A note about the radio link: nothing short of superb. Even readers who don't care for the classics should make note of BBC Radio 3 as it features a wide variety of first-rate music and sound.

A concluding note: Though my Russian film maker and his composer stayed with me, Marti did not. After a year or so, she transferred to UNC Chapel Hill and eventually rekindled a relationship with a professor there. We parted on the best of terms, but it was tough to say good-bye and after some phone calls and letters, she was a memory. I imagine her beauty in both looks and personality are still with her. I would hope that her political philosophy eventually mellowed toward sanity as did that of the student who loved her so many years ago.

Photo: Still from Alexander Nevsky

Powerline

Four Powerline entries for 10/11 are must reads: Paul Rahe on Obama's Nobel, a cache of Anglo-Saxon gold discovered in England, a film review of "Inglorious Bastards," and the new series of pamphlets being published by Encounter Books. The blog should be on your daily reading list; therefore, the link takes you to the blog, not the individual stories.

The entry about the U.S qualifying for the World Cup didn't make the cut. I'm not a soccer fan, but for those readers who are, my congratulations and best wishes are in order.

Jim Hoff: Gateway Pundit

Jim Hoff blogs from St. Louis as the Gateway Pundit. His eBlogger profile lists his interests as truth, democracy, and faith. Many in the blogosphere are giving Hoff credit for exposing Van Jones as unfit from several perspectives for czardom at the White House. From my very tiny corner of the electronic universe, I heartily agree. Hoff deserves our thanks for sticking with an important story that the state-run, main stream media completely ignored.

UPDATE: And yes, this does make the New York Times and friends look very, very bad. Several of today's entries at NRO's The Corner address this issue.

Fifty Things Being Killed By The Internet

The Telegraph has an interesting list today illustrating how the Internet continues to shape our lives. Of course, there is a British "list" to the list and a few political cards tossed into the mix. Overall, I think you'll find it an enjoyable way to start your weekend. Source: Outside the Beltway. My favorites:

Fear that you are the only one unmoved by a celebrity's death.

Listening to an album all the way through.

Photo albums and slide shows.

Enforceable copyright.

Mainstream media.

Perspectives

With the passing of Senator Edward Kennedy, we'll be hearing hours of coverage about the thousand days of Camelot and the assassination of his brothers, John and Robert. The state-run, mainstream media will be declaring this as the end of the Kennedy dynasty, which it surely is, but they will likely contrast the quiet passing of Ted with the violent end of his brothers. The opportunity to turn this week of mourning into a political statement may be overpowering among some circles. Should this occur, readers need to be alert to the following:

President John F. Kennedy was assassinated by an avowed communist, Lee Harvey Oswald;

Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated by Sirhan Sirhan, a Palestinian immigrant, because he supported Israeli interests in the Middle East;

Senator Ted Kennedy's early support for Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election derailed Hillary Clinton's campaign during a series of critical primary elections. Kennedy's endorsement at a time when the general electorate sought new leadership very likely sealed the party nomination and the presidency for Obama.

I will be watching how the old media and blogosphere treat these three historical events. I'll rest happy if they're played straight.