Beautiful song: When I See You Smile

A lovely song by Bic Runga:  Beautiful magic!

Bic Runga is another New Zealand singer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZJcOWdcCu0&feature=related

Review of Natasha's Dance

Natasha's Dance by Orlando Figes

A magnificent book of great scope and worth

is Orlando Figes story of the cultural history

of Russia. A wonderful book to read! I am still

in awe of such a wonderful and scholarly work.

This book is full of magnificence, great wealth and

splendour with stories of princes, tsars and paupers.

I found this book fascinating for its insight and

sensitivity in writing

of its people, mountains, scenery and countryside

of Russia. It is a book of great

beauty, in the writing and also in the content of the book.

There are powerful and evocative descriptions

of pieces of poetry or prose which had been

written by some of the great

writers in Russian literature included in the story.

I am reminded that there is a review on the back cover of

the book which states that the reviewer does not like to

say too much about the book so as not to spoil it for the

reader.

This book is enlightening and wonderful.

Also educational. It is majestic in its scope, describing

palaces of princes, lives of great writers,

folk-lore and customs.

I loved the folk-loric nature of the

book with majestic stories and beliefs concerning cities, towns

and cities of

imagination and legend which were believed to have existed at times under a

lake, the healing properties of certain places

or of the gripping detail provided in stories by Gogol or

Dostoevsky. Tales of imagination abound for St Petersburg

with its bronze horseman. Fascinating! Great story-telling. I will

have to read some of Gogol's tales which certainly give an aura of the

fantastic, colour and

atmosphere to the history of the culture of Russia.

The colours and culture of Russia seem so different from

the rest of Europe. This may have been due to the eastern influences.

St Petersburg was built in more traditional Western European concepts

and architecture. This is a beautiful city which I visited in 2009. Moscow

is different again, and yet the architecture from Muscovy is a splendour with the

magnificent gold domes of cathedrals and churches which can often be seen from afar

when travelling about the city or the countryside.

In the earlier days before Russia became a Soviet

state the aristocracy was often encouraged to build palaces.

These palaces often became a place of learning, culture and

civilisation.

Prince Potemkin built

an exotic palace on the Crimea and in a note there is a mention of a book written

about him titled “Prince of Princes” by Simon Sebag Montefiore

which I would like to also read.

Great warmth and humanity, dignity and valour and personal conflict and endurance are revealed in the stories of Count Sheremetev and Prince Volkonsky.

Wonderful descriptions are given of the music, ballet, prose, poetry, gifted artists, musicians and

film makers with stories of their lives which gives an added appeal to the book for the humanity and personalities of the people involved. The book is on a personal level with the characters and it is not difficult

to often sympathise with the characters and their personal situations. Their lives were very real and the times very true. Colour plates of characters and illustrations of the

colour of arts, theatre and design provide interesting detail into aspects of the culture and arts.

The theme of the book is enduring beauty and even in the bleakest moments, sorrows and sadness,

the spirit and strength of some of the great artists who may have been living in difficult times in Russia still shine through.

In his notes the author has admitted that it did take him a long time to write this book but I am

so glad that he wrote it and also glad that I have read it. It is difficult to imagine that so much wonder, splendour and beauty can be written in one book but this certainly is the case with “Natasha's Dance” the title of which comes from Leo Tolstoy's “War and Peace.”

Full accolades for the author. At the introduction a Russian countess who had been brought up

by French governesses knew how to dance a Russian dance and picked up the rhythm. All things

French were wonderful and admired until Napoleon came to Russia. Thereafter, as described in

the chapter of “Children of 1812” some of the nobility turned away from European values and

concepts and returned to the beauty of the land and rural countryside of the Steppe and wished to

revert to more Russian ways of life. Some of the aristocracy had befriended soldiers of the peasantry in the army and had gained a renewed respect for these people who had come from the rural villages and land of Russia.

A wonderful achievement to write a book of such grand scope.

The beauty and descriptions of the times in Russia are portrayed vividly. The colours and scope of the landscape, the Siberian Steppe, the nomads and various clans and khans who conquered the territory in the 12^th century, the folk-lore, songs and dances, traditions and the times of the tsars and a later

more fraught time which is depicted in a chapter of “Russia through a Soviet Lens” is a magnificent and scholarly accomplishment by the author. The book is quite compelling full of lively descriptions and anecdotes which makes “Natasha's Dance” fascinating to read.

Rare moments of beauty- glimpses in time

Rare Moments of Beauty-

A glimpse in Time:

One evening I was walking from the library

to the shopping centre and between apartment

buildings there are lovely palm trees in pots

and water ponds. It was a cold windy night

without too many people about. Even so, I was

quite entranced by the little plays of water displays

from the little fountains with illuminated lights

glowing from the water. Just beautiful! As not

many people were around I thought that these

majestic little displays must be for the people

living in the apartment buildings.

Another time one evening not long before Christmas

I was walking through Aotea Square in Auckland.

This was also a cold wind-swept night with not too many

people there. I was surprised as there was a group

singing on a stage and the few people watching were

wrapped up against the cold. The music was so

wonderful and haunting, it remains with me even

today. A beautiful song which the group was singing

and the sound seemed to follow, one line from the song

of which

I remember: “from the cradle to the grave.”

Rare moments of beauty:

I have been looking at some of the wonderful images

from le bal de Versailles where people dress in costume.

After looking at some of these pictures I can readily

imagine how beautiful and magnificent it must have

been when the king, Louis XIV, would walk around the gardens

of Versailles with his courtiers.

I can visualise the magnificent colours of the ladies' dresses

in the picturesque and wonderful settings. Even in the

stifling hot of the summer weather (when sometimes the restricted

clothing may have become uncomfortable) these occasions must have been

rare and wonderful glimpses of beauty in time. The beautiful

fountain displays may have had a cooling effect with the spray

from the water jets. A softly blowing breeze from the direction of the trees

may also have

tempered the scene. On one occasion

the scent from the flowers was so heady that the king and his courtiers

had to leaved. This was in the vicinity of the Trianon.

I remember vividly a scene of Marie Antoinette in the gardens at Versailles

near her hameau from the film “Marie Antoinette.” At this time Marie

Antoinette had chosen white cotton clothing which may have been more

comfortable for her in the hot weather. She also had a portrait painted

dressed in this fashion which was unfortunately

not approved of as the clothing was not in keeping

with the expectations of how the queen of France

was supposed to be. However, even in this film,

the moments of beauty and truth did shine through.

This piece of music seems to me to reflect the quality

and beauty of time and its passing nature: Mary's Song

played by Nick Cave which I came across yesterday

on face book:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAIXJ-quKWE

Elizabeth I must also have looked magnificent at times:

her rainbow portrait is a favourite and she lived up to to

her image of "the faerie queen" as depicted in the poetry

of Edmund Spenser.

Princess of Versailles

Princess of Versailles

Princess Marie-Adelaide of Savoy was quite a bright spark

in the generally staid and conventional court of the later years

of the life of the Sun King.

Arriving at the court of Versailles as a young girl of 10, with strict instructions

from her family to obey Madame de Maintenon when she arrived at court,

Princess Marie-Adelaide

readily made friends of Madame de Maintenon and the king, Louis XIV.

With

endearing attributes and natural precocity and exuberance of child-hood, she was

a fresh and lively personality in the hallowed halls of Versailles.

Charles Elliott's book of “Princess of Versailles” offers a fresh and wonderful

perspective of life at Versailles during the reign of the Sun King, the life of

Princess Marie-Adelaide who had come to the court to marry the grand-son

of the Sun King, the Duc de Bourgogne.

The book follows the fortunes of Princess Marie-Adelaide's father, Victor Amadeus II,

Duke of Savoy, who often seemed to be living in the shadow of the Sun King and as a

consequence could at times be fickle with his loyalties. There are wonderful

descriptions of the court of Savoy given in the book describing the beauty and refinement

of the court and also

a spiritual essence as Princess Marie Adelaide's mother with her ladies would

painstakingly repair the Shroud of Turin with golden thread. The world of the

court of Savoy was far removed from the more worldly court of Versailles.

Princess Marie-Adelaide was in effect brought up by the king and Madame de

Maintenon. Perhaps because Marie-Adelaide had become accustomed to the king

and Madame de Maintnon over the years she would also interrupt the king in important

meetings, but also over time the king did come to rely on Princess Marie-Adelaide to

attend entertainments in the evenings, even when she was not well with tooth-ache.

Marie-Adelaide also suffered from a mis-carriage at one time as she travelled against

doctors' instructions so as not to displease the king. This may or may not have been a

cause of her miscarriage and the king most likely felt very guilty about this as afterwards

he did seem not to be quite so affable and people did not like to approach him for about

15 minutes. The king was most likely very upset. At another time when his soldiers had

been defeated with many losses Madame de Maintenon had to bring this sad news to him.

Madame de Mainenon and the king spent many years together and for much of the time

these must have been happy years. Madame de Maintenon became involved in her school

of St Cyr and the education of the pupils. The pupils put on a play of “Esther” on the stage which the king attended. The king often attended the plays

with Madame de Maintenon and would have enjoyed these shows. The king was supportive

of Madame de Maintenon's involvement and work at the school.

St Cyr had been established by

Madame de Maintenon to support and educate impoverished young girls of the nobility. Their

future prospects were assured as they had the opportunity of becoming a teacher, entering a

convent or becoming married, in which case a suitable husband would be found for them.

Entertainments and balls were often held in Princess Marie-Adelaide's honour. She was bright and happy.

Princess Marie-Adelaide was as the belle of the ball. Dances and music brought back an echo

of earlier times when Versailles was a bright and welcoming place full of amusements

and entertainments. In later years the wonderful spectaculars and plays of earlier times

had waned. Earlier there had been Lully and Quinault who had staged magnificent

music and opera. There were beautiful sets and magnificent costumes.

There is a coloured

illustration of a dream scene from Lully's opera “Atys” depicted as a wool and silk tapestry

in the book “Baroque” Style in the Age of Magnificence 1620-1800 by Michael

Snodin and Nigel Llewellyn and assisted by Joanna Norman. The colours and displays

of the stage look magnificent. “Atys” had first been performed in 1676 and became known as

the king's opera. “Phaeton” which became more popular in Paris became known as “the people's

opera.” There were so many wonderful entertainments of the earlier times at Versailles.

In the same book there is also a wonderful depiction of an engraving of the inauguration of the

equestrian statue of Louis XIV in place Louis-le-Grand, which is now the Place Vendome. It looks

to have been a magnificent occasion and I am also reminded of a similar occasion for the unveiling of the Bronze Horseman in St Petersburg. This also looks to have been a spectacular occasion from the pictures which have have been depicted.

The duc de Bourgogne had been brought up by a religious tutor, Fenelon, who later

had been banned from the court because of his views. However, his teachings had

influenced the young duc de Bourgogne, who would have liked nothing better than to read

and study religious texts and writings. At one time when the duc de Bourgogne was not

present at an evening's entertainment the king was known to say that as a prince of the court he

should be present at the royal functions. The king was probably not impressed or put out

by the duc de Bourgogne's absence.

At one time, during severe economic hardship, the Duke and Duchess of Bourgogne

sold their jewellery to assist less fortunate people.

After the demise of Monseigneur, the king's son, from smallpox, the duc de Bourgogne

was being made ready for his time to take over the crown from Louis XIV as next in line

of succession. Great things were expected of him and Louis XIV proudly did introduce

him to clerics and people of the church.

Unfortunately, in those times, there were not vaccinations available for small-pox and

many people also in Paris succumbed to this disease.

Princess Marie-Adelaide fell ill and passed away with the duc de Bourgogne also passing

away not long after. This couple seemed ideal and would have made a wonderful king

and queen. Two of their children were also lost from small-pox and a governess, Madame de Ventadour, refused

to allow the doctors to treat another son, who was very young at the time. This child subsequently

reigned as King Louis XV many years later.

I found “Princess of Versailles” to be rich in content and wonderful to read. The book shows

Versailles to its best advantage, the wonderful place which at times it could be. Charles Elliott

did devote a few pages to the earlier years of Versalles as a background to the story.

Princess Marie-Adelaide was popular at court, loved and admired by many people and sadly missed as also had been her grand-mother

Princess Henriette, Madame, who was known as “Minette” who had also died at a young age many

years earlier.

More fascinating characters from the court of the Sun King

The Duc de Lauzun: a picture from wikipedia:

The Grand Mademoiselle

I believe that this is a very elegant portrait of the Grande Mademoiselle
from wikipedia: the gold and blue colours are exquisite:

The Grande Mademoiselle towards the end of her life wrote that

with all of her wealth she would have been expected to live a very happy

life but that this was not the case.

Born Anne Marie Louise d'Orleans, Duchess de Montpensier, a wealthy heiress of the Bourbons, whose mother

had died not long after she was born, lived with her father Gaston d”Orleans at Blois Castle. She became

involved in the Fronde, fired a canon at the young Louis XIV, who could have

become a possible future spouse, was sent away into exile and returned to court at a later time.

In the book “Royal Flush” by Margaret Irwin, it was reported by the widow

queen Henrietta Maria, queen of
Charles I, that one should not be the cause of one's own misfortune.

The Grand Mademoiselle fell in love with the Duc de Lauzun, wished to marry him,

which the king consented to initially but because of pressure from other members of

the royal family the king decided to withdraw his consent a few days before the wedding.

The Grande Mademoiselle felt greatly let down by people whom she was relying on for

support with the king.

The Duc de Lauzun spent many years in prison.  A fellow prisoner was Nicholas Fouquet,

also rumours of a prisoner who may have been The Main in the Iron Mask, though this may

have been a fallacy, even being a prisoner who occasionally wore a velvet mask.

The Grande Mademoiselle was required eventually to sell important properties to the king, the principality of Dombes and the county of Eu and the Duchy of Aumole for the Duc

de Maine, a son of the king and Madame de Montespan.  This was to effect the release of

the Duc de Lauzun finally from the prison.

I will return to more characters of the court at a later stage.  The Duc de Lauzun did seem to make 

enemies of both the king and Madame de Montespan for various reasons.  He also seemed to have sometimes acted in an erratic and unconventional manner though this may have been more when he was held a prisoner at a remote prison.   

To Serve Them All My Days

A wonderful image of the heath of Devon from wikipedia:  the beautiful green countryside
of Devon added to the appeal of the television series "To Serve Them All My Days."  It
ceertainly would be nice to visit the place where the film was set and view the magnificent
scenery.   I did once visit Cornwell and the south of England which is quite beautiful. 

To Serve Them All My Days  (A review)

A wonderful thirteen part series from the BBC

set in the beautiful English countryside of Devon.

This story is written by R F Delderfield who also

lived in the south of England.

I have recently finished viewing the series and for people

who are interested in the old school system, the English public

boarding schools and education the series is well worth watching.

It is set during the peace time after the First World War over a

time span of many years before the Second World War.

The politics

of the time is very much also in the forefront as the lead character of

the series, David Powlett-Jones, (often referred to as PJ) is from a

coal-mining family from Wales and has endured hardships, tragedy

and also serving time during the First World War (the war which PJ

believed was the war to end all wars.)

PJ enters the

education system as a teacher at a young age.

His life revolves around the school and its pupils, the head-master

and teachers.

It is interesting that later in the series PJ is informed that Bamfield

School cannot be isolated and that what was occurring in Germany

was very close. The school gives refuge to a Jewish boy who has

been brought to England by the good intentions of a girl-friend who

at the time was involved in politics and contested a

nomination for a parliamentary seat but was unsuccessful. There

were difficulties at the time for women trying to enter politics. After

a second unsuccessful attempt she gave up politics, however, she felt

that on the second occasion it was because she had been too outspoken

regarding foreign affairs at the meeting. She could not see an amicable

peaceful solution

prior to the Second World War and at the time was not in favour of

disarmament. This may have been because she had

been in Germany and had seen the consequences of what was happening

to people.

The political background and dramas do not take over the film. It is also on a

more humanist and personal level.  PJ's life and  romances very much also

play a major role in the film and the authenticity of the subject matter,

the school, girl-friends, marriages, other teachers and another head-master,

their foibles and personality conflicts make this a very interesting drama.

PJ does at times spend more time often on school matters at the expense

of his elderly mother and also his wife.  At one time his wife may have felt

insecure and at a loss as to what to do with her day

until she became involved in school activities, Christmas concerts,

plays and also teaching. 

 Coming as he did from a coal-mining

family in a Welsh village, his life was quite a success story, of which he was told later

that his mother was always very proud of him, though he was not always enamoured of his brother who had remained in the Welsh village with his elderly mother. If there was not a letter one month for the mother to read to a visiting parish minister she would re-read a letter from a previous month.

The mother's pride in her son may have been a source of discontent with the other brother

who had remained at home or perhaps is was difficult for the brother to see PJ seemingly

leaving his socialist loyalties to live in a different world. However, in this different world

he was making a difference and contributing to the welfare of the school boys and the successful

running of the school, eventually becoming a Head-master.

Bamfield School became PJ's life.
It was a great academic institiution as well as focussing on rugby and cricket

for the boys.
 Humour is also apparent in the film, especially with speeches given from

the first Head-master also his cheerful manner and way of life at the school with his wife, which may have seemed like a closeted life but also happy, and also towards the end of the film when an elderly teacher told PJ that he believed

that he had spent many previous incarnations in cold class-rooms and draughty

corridors and that in his next incarnation he wished to be a lizard reclining on

a rock in the sun.

The film also portrays England from another time, a time which seemed

very different. Class distinctions were evident and I am reminded of a book

which I have been reading “The Shifting Fog” by

Kate Morton, which is also set in England during these times.

It certainly

was a time of change and it is fascinating to read and see films depicting

England in magnificent rural settings before the Second World War and

the vagaries and life-styles of people of different social classes.