Maybe the Russians have all the answers?

Around the middle of the 20th century someone who had a film production company and a love of classical music apparently got the idea that recording the greats playing all the staples of their respective instrument's repertoire was a worthwhile project. The result is a plethora of (sub-par and actually rather haphazard) recordings of some really brilliant musicians. I've taken to watching them on youtube pretty much daily with the hope that their flawless technique and interpretation will somehow begin to rub off on me. My favorite performer thus far is Zara Nelsova. Here's the deal with Zara: She's actually a Canadian, of distant (way distant) Russian ancestry, who is, in fact, simply named Sarah Nelson. But who's keeping track. She's brilliant and wore some of the most serious ball gowns I've ever seen in conjunction with a performance of classical music. She is just ungodly fabulous and more technically sound than I can ever hope to be. Her playing is remarkably expressive and full; her technique is ruthlessly efficient. She plays with her nose in the air and her eyes closed, exuding a kind of self-confidence and concentration that is the stuff of legend. Not to mention she "modified" her name with a little Russian flair just to make the package complete.

Aside from feeling remarkably inadequate, watching her got me to thinking that "Caitlin Andrew" is no name for a cellist. Henceforth I would like to be known by my Russian pseudonym,
"Catarina Andrevka".

Eat your heart out Sarah Nelson.