One of the great, even reassuring, things about what the CD shops ignorantly label “Classical Music” is its freedom, its liberality, its democratic principles. Yes, it has its stars. Yes, it has its forms and conventions. But in “Classical Music” these aspects never dominate. The music is always the prime focus. Anyone can learn any piece, anyone can play it, and anyone is free to interpret the composer’s intentions – as long as those intentions are respected, of course. And all of this is done unencumbered by wires, microphones or amplification, since real sound and real experience are always the goal. Performance, therefore, becomes a form of communication, a presentation of the music, itself, plus often much more. Contrast that with some other genres where commerce and celebrity are the raisons d’être, where the music is merely a secondary, often irrelevant accompaniment. Never mind the quality of the lip-sync, feel the width of the show.

Critics of “Classical Music” often cite a lack of bravura on behalf of the performers. This, of course, is to misunderstand both the medium and the content, since the passion is always in the music and good performances should always highlight the music, not themselves. Not all performers perform well, of course, but then that is true of every staged activity, not least of other genres of music than “Classical”.

So when a performer is exceptional both in terms of interpretation and delivery, an occasional flaw or inaccuracy passes by unnoticed. So it was with the Berlin Mendelssohn Trio in Palau Altea, not that there were many flaws to pass by. They offered their audience seven pieces, including an encore, one of which did indeed happen to be “classical” and four of which were presented as a single item, not really because the composer necessarily intended it, but because it made musical sense. The commitment and energy that the group displayed was quite remarkable.

They opened with Beethoven’s Opus 11 trio. If Schubert always sings, then Beethoven usually dances, and this trio hopped and pranced with energy, always, of course, with Beethoven’s musical tension showing through.

One can travel to a number of scenic places across Greece to spend holidays there. Chania, the second largest city of the Greek Island Crete, is among many such locations. We are going to quickly look at some interesting information regarding Chania’s past and present to know why it was seen with awe in the tourism annals. Holidaying in Chania is made affordable, easy and full of excitement due to the vast range of tourism packages available for staying there. Several accommodation plans, which includes staying at among the hoards of self-catering apartments in Chania, along with the rest others, makes part of many such tour packages.

Chania is thought to be settled by the humans since the Neolithic times before being ruled by several known empires. It was the place where the Minoan settlement took place – remains of the Minoan city were excavated during the last hundred years beneath the ground where the district of Kasteli stands right now. The first settlers from the mainland Greece were the Dorian Greeks who landed in Cydonia, another name for the Minoan settlement, in around 1100 BC. The place was governed by the Byzantine rule from 395 – 824 AD and subsequently by the Arabs, who gave it the name Chania. Byzantine Empire, which was the cause of spread of Christianity in the region, came back to power in 961 AD. Later, the area went under the Venetian and Ottoman rules as well.

During the modern times, Eleftherios Venizelos, who was born and brought up in Chania, led an uprising in the years 1896-97 to oust the then existent Ottoman rule. He went on to become the Greek Prime Minister and was well regarded for his statesmanship in the entire world. He was given a state burial across one of the scenic hills overlooking Chania, after his demise. The city was made capital of the semi-autonomous Cretan state in the year 1898, under the aegis of Prince George of Greece. This was the time when Chania was beginning to have a cosmopolitan and modern outlook, and many new buildings were being built around. Plenty of intellectual and artistic activities were taking place as well and the state was fully supportive to all those involved. Several consulates and embassies of that period could still be found standing as it is even today. Incidentally, apartments in Chania around these historic locations are among the most sought after ones.

The invasion and occupation of Chania by Adolf Hitler’s army during the Word War II is yet another significant aspect of its modern history. The British army, as part of the allied forces, gave stiff resistance to the advancing German fire power and made them retreat in 1941. However, Chania did have to go through the human and material damage, which was reminiscent of the painful events of the World War II. A significant number of its human population was either executed and imprisoned or forced to go into an exile. The later years saw Chania quickly regaining its lost glory back though, and the war imprints had evaporated significantly. Since the 1970s the Cretan tourism began soaring up high, and Chania was brought to the attention of the world for the very first time.

Today’s Chania is a great composition of traditional Greek and cosmopolitan values. The traditional Greek aspect floats mainly around one’s family life, and it may be witnessed flourishing across Chania during the winter months. However, the summer transforms this state of affairs substantially as tourists begin pouring in from all over the globe. A wide range of food choices, including that of the Greek tavernas, some traditional Cretan specialties and plenty of foreign cuisines, could be found at offer across, both old and new townships. However, many of these are presently stationed mainly in and around the old township only. The old township does also carry many bars and cafes, which are beautifully carved into the remains of the Venetian era.

Whether you go by the traditional or modern route for your 30th anniversary gifts, you can still do crafts that help represent that special time in your life. After all, every decade that you stay together as a couple is a further testament to the love and comfort that you have with each other. Giving an appropriate and well crafted gift will show just how much you love your spouse or significant other.

The traditional 30th anniversary gift is the pearl, so you should do a craft that coordinates with that idea. If you plan to give your wife a pearl necklace or pearl drop earrings, then you can make a craft for when you present it to her. For example, you could get a clam shell from a local gift shop and put the present in that. You could also make your own clam shell out of various materials. Stiff paper works well. Be sure to paint it and make it look special. Then, when you give her the pearl earrings, the packaging will match the nature of the gift.

Nowadays, the modern idea for the 30th anniversary gift is the diamond, so you can make similar crafts for this as well. Pearls and diamonds have an important trait in common. They are both most often used for jewelry. If you intend to get your spouse something with diamonds on it, you should use a themed craft in order to give it to them. Since diamonds are so classy, try to choose a craft that looks and seems rich and tasteful.

Mrs. Party… Gail Leino takes a common sense approach to planning and organizing events, celebrations and holiday parties with unique ideas for 30th anniversary party supplies and fun 30th anniversary party games. She explains proper etiquette and living a healthy life while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has lots of party ideas with hundreds of free holiday printable games and free birthday party activities. Over 100 adorable Themes including 30th anniversary Party Supplies to fit your birthday celebration, holiday event, or “just because” parties. Party themes include cartoon characters, sports, movie, TV shows, luau, western, holidays, and unique crazy fun theme ideas.

Many ask what a Signature Board is. It is an item you can display for your guests to sign at a special celebration. Certain types of them are specifically designed to become a keepsake for the celebrant to take home. Excellent keepsake signature boards should be personalized, organized and able to frame so the celebrant can read and enjoy the signature board for years to come. Be aware of a board that allows scribbles of names here & there. This may lose the viewer’s interest and the reader is only admiring the picture not the entire event that took place that day. They should create a classy way to remember what & with who was celebrated when. This is a great unique gift for anyone.

They are a perfect gift for any occasion. It can be an alternative wedding guest book, housewarming gift, religious celebration keepsake or a group present for a special birthday party. You think of an event and it can be created. Signature Boards should be personalized and allow an image option to make this gift special. Many choose to buy a signature board gift certificate to give to the future celebrant. This allows the celebrants to choose what they want. Sometimes a surprise signature board gift for a special birthday makes a hit of a party. There are companies that offer Signature Boards that are delivered gift wrapped with archival acid free pens so the signing can begin upon receiving the presents!

If you know of a special occasion for someone important in your life, consider giving this kind of gift. Signature Boards makes an ultimate gift for someone who has everything and you, the giver, will always be remembered.