Boris Godunov

Night on Bald Mountain Musical Analysis Nazari Tuyo 3.21.17 Historical Background Composer & Arrangers Career Night on Bald Mountain is a scary but yet peaceful song. It was composed by Modeste Mussorgsky in 1867. The version that will be played by the CRLS orchestra was arranged by Eric Segnitz. Who was Mussorgsky? He was born in the winter of 1839, and grew up in Russia. Modest was a composer, and he was well known for his opera Boris Godunov. He also wrote many other pieces of music such as Pictures from an Exhibition, and Night on Bald Mountain. Before he became a composer, Modest was always interested in music. As a child, his nanny taught him about russian folk tales. This drew him to story writing. His mother was an excellent pianist, and gave him lessons at age seven. When he was 10, his music career was disturbed when his father sent him and his brother to the Peter-Paul school in st. Petersburg to pursue a life in the military. During this time, his father entrusted his music career at the hands of Prof. Anton Gurke at St. Petersburg Conservatory. In 1852, he entered the School for Cadets of the Guard, where he composed his first piece, Pod Praporshchik. His father paid for it. Once he became a lieutenant, he joined the…

Tchaikovsky Hamad Alrashed Fall 2016Tchaikovsky Hamad Alrashed introduction Tchaikovsky an always associated composer with the Moscow school according to his teaching position , as well as using Russian harmonies , and melodies as much as the mighty five do. The turning point of view between Tchaikovsky and the five by his philosophical point of that he is akin more to western ideas. Tchaikovsky bridges the gap between the two schools, for example tonality in his thematic presentation…

However, perestroika did not occur without consequences. The privatization movement of the perestroika reform allowed for the formation of a new class the oligarchs. The lack of legal safeguards of privatization allowed the mafia, which had the financial means and the political connections, to gain ownership and control over key industries of the Russian economy. “The problem is the economic liberalization in Russia, even in the narrowest sense of legalizing private business activity, is far…

Frankenstein, “…wasn't expected to be a popular film, much less a breakout role for the unknown actor”, Boris Karloff, also known as Frankenstein (Biography.com). James Whale, and starred Colin Clive and Mae Clarke, which is based on the best-selling novel, Frankenstein, written by Shelley, released Frankenstein in 1931. It is a story of a young scientist trying to create life after one has died and the struggles and drama that come along with that. Even after 86 years, Frankenstein is still…

When the Soviet Union officially dissolved in December, 1991, many Westerners, Soviet dissidents, and Russian citizens believed that the feared Komitet gosudarstvennoy bezopasnosti (KGB) would be dismantled forever. Russian and Western observers viewed the toppling of the “Iron Felix” Dzerzhinsky statue in August 1991 as the symbolic end of the era of Soviet political police repression. Subsequently, Gorbachev appointed Vadim Bakatin to reform the KGB. But what constituted reform? In December…

When Mikhail Gorbachev came to power in the 80’s he made sweeping reforms in the KGB. As a result the KGB became less aggressive towards political dissidents and curtailed its struggle against foreign countries. In august 1991, KGB Chairman Vladimir Kryuchkov led a failed coup against the government. It was the beginning of the end for KGB. This event and revelations about other activities, including the infiltration of Russian Orthodox Church, created popular demand for the reformation of KGB.…

Ukraine again, but it was too late. Mister Putin won’t backup so easily. Not after the reinforcement of Russian troops and heavy machinery guns. Russian military were able to strangle a revolt less than in a week. Crimea left with no other chances than follow Kremlin’s orders. So why would 96% of population vote for the approval of referendum and 6 month later radically change their desertion? The answer is simple: Putin’s New Soft-power Media Machine, propaganda. In Russia, treads of…

It 's intimidating enough to feel the burning eyes of the various doctors in the room watching me, but the sight of the syringe with a large needle in the short grumpy old nurses hand makes me feel very unsettled. "You will only feel a slight pinch in your arm okay." Said the nurse while she grabs my upper arm and tries to find the dot she drew on my arm earlier camouflaged in the faint freckles up and down my arm. I take a deep breath as she brings the syringe , filled with the "magical"…

When one is asked to think of their idea of a monster, they usually come up with something along the lines of no emotions, no remorse, and pure disgust. On the contrary, two prominent novels in literature, Grendel by John Gardner and Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, claim that monsters can indeed show emotions and the ability to reason as a normal human being. Both novels introduce a physically hideous monster on the outside, isolated from the rest of the world. These two creatures are shown to…

A Fatal Transformation: Mikhail Gorbachev Leadership in the Soviet Union contained several dimensions of complexities. To significantly change the political system from its former Communist style leadership, the Soviet Union required a dedicated, intelligent, and compassionate leader. Paving the pathway towards building a free society would not happen overnight; rather, it would take years to refine and develop. Transforming the Soviet Union in the late 20th century presented challenges for…