(The Cossacks played an important role in both Ukranian and Russian history. There are hundreds of Cossack associations in Ukraine and, I hope, they are continuing their ancestral fight for the freedom of the Steppe.)
Something for the weekend. Whenever I need cheering up, or simply an energy boost, Franz Waxman’s Ride to Dubno always does the trick. It was written for the movie Taras Bulba (1962) and the video clip below is the amazing sequence where the song is played as the Cossack army gathers on its way to Dubno.
Here we have a good symphonic version:
A human symphony is a masterpiece of organization with the individual musicians melded together into a whole greater than the sum of its parts. It is familiar so the wonder of it sometimes escapes us.
A fantastic dueling pianos version of the composition:
The City of Prague Philharmonic gives a fine rendition:
Likewise the John Wilson Orchestra:
Stern letter to follow:
My son-in-law is a proud Ukrainian by descent. I think he has a copy of that same or a similar picture in his living room. That was one of the Cossacks prouder moments.
That music never fails to inspire. Thank you, Don. I woke up to yet more snow here and sorely needed that. ⛄️
My sympathy Cathy. We still have snow on the ground but it has been melting all week. We will probably get rid of it in time for our annual March blizzard!
We always said that Yul didnt need to practice to get into character for Taras Bulba. 😉 He came by it naturally.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bh-HJ4Ty2w
Great scene at 5:10
Here’s a post from Rod Dreher which includes the original letter from the Sultan:
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/dreher/zaporozhian-cossacks-to-putin-the-sultan-of-the-kremlin/
BTW, it will be 80 today in South Louisiana.
Last video “unavailable because account has been terminated.”
Guess they said something against The Narrative.