Finishing "Faberge's Eggs"...

I enjoyed our discussion last night. It's always interesting to hear different perspectives on the same book. I especially appreciated Natalia's comments about the book being factual - but written from a western perspective. It's always good to be reminded to remember not only the point of view of the author - but our own cultural biases and history, as well.

I have already started "Louis Armstrong's New Orleans," and find myself transported to a time and place that is both familiar and foreign. I am not a musician, but I'm a "I know what I like" listener. I've always enjoyed blues and jazz, and this book is a great introduction for me into how that music developed and how it is performed. Despite some words and musical concepts that are new to me, I am soaking up the New Orleans atmosphere. (Louis Armstrong spent his later years in Queens, New York - not far from where I grew up!)

Louis Armstrong's New Orleans

In May, book club members can read either the Louis Armstrong book or
Positively 4th Street. The intent is to have people read one OR the other and come to the meeting to share perspectives on the impact that place has on artists and performers. New York in the case of Baez, Dylan and the Farinas and New Orleans in the case of Louis Armstrong. (If anyone wants to read both books, that would be great. I'm going to try......)

I've started Thomas Brothers' book, Louis Armstrong's New Orleans and am getting a real sense of the context in which to place Armstrong's life and music. Of course, he grew up in New Orleans and left, while the folksingers came to New York City from other places - that will be an interesting comparison for discussion.

Faberge's Eggs

I finished our April book over the weekend. I settled into my recliner on Sunday afternoon to read the last few chapters. I couldn't put it down! The first part of the book covering the Tsars and the revolution intrigued me from a historical perspective. The second part of the book - about the eggs taking on a life of their own - from worthless in the eyes of museums and collectors to priceless in their eyes - just fascinated me. I am really looking forward to our discussion this month to hear everyone's take on it.

I downloaded several Russian classical pieces to my iPod to listen to while I read. They include the Overture to "The Tsar's Bride," by Rimsky-Korsakof; Rachmaninov's "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini;" and Lladov's "Baba Yaga." I have not yet tired of listening to them!

Here are a couple of web sites I found that looked interesting. The first one about Nicholas and Alexandra and the second about the eggs' 'afterlife' as collectibles.

http://www.nicholasandalexandra.com/exhibition.html

http://www.forbes.com/2004/01/08/cx_pm_0108fcphotoessay.html