This is an instrumental arrangement of the Frank Sinatra standard by the multi-talented Russian performer Muslim Magomayev. He’s not only a singer; he’s a composer, pianist, painter, and writer as well. Yet, he’s a humble man, well worthy of our respect as human being, not only as an artist. It’s my tribute to my favourite Russian pop performer. In Russia, unlike America, there’s much crossover between the pop and classical worlds. Muslim has done opera, and the opera star Dmitri Khvorostovsky has done pop. This makes for a richer cultural life. The photos are of Muslim and his family. We’re the richer for their presence amongst us. The life of Muslim Magomayev illustrates why I oppose extreme nationalists. He was able to expand his horizons because he was part of the Empire. The nationalists wish to squash individual freedom so that they can have their “place in the sun”. I prefer the way that allows the Muslim Magomayevs to soar free, not fettered by nationalistic limitations.
Thank you, Muslim Magometovich. You’ve enriched my life (and that of all other Russians as well!).
