Kalinka

Kalinka is maybe the most famous and the most recognizable Russian folk melody. Actually, it is not a folksong: it has a definite author, the composer Larionov, who wrote the song in 1860. But it captures the essence of Russian folk music as no other song.

The word Kalinka is a name of a bush. I have seen translations as diverse as arrowwood, snowball bush, viburnum and highbush cranberry. That doesnt matter much, though: the name has no bearing on the meaning of the song. Not that the song has much meaning at all! The verses dont complement each other or the refrain. What can be extracted from this collection of incompatible lines is that a young boy is dreaming that a pretty, young maiden will love him.

But of course it is not the nonsense of the text, but the beauty of music that made Kalinka so popular. And popular it is! There are countless Russian cafes, souvenir shops, dance groups and singing choirs, named after this song. There is even the dog breed: a small terrier called Kalinka!

I play the song in my own arrangement. You can buy a high-quality MP3 of this song at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/AlexanderZlatkovski

(Alexander Zlatkovski is an Alaskan pianist, born in Russia. His repertoire includes classical pieces, waltzes of all sorts -- from Tchaikovsky to Chopin to Strauss -- as well as his own arrangements of Russian, Italian, Jewish, and French songs. For information on concerts, weddings, and other events, or to buy CDs, visit http://www.AlaskanPianist.com )

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Russian
• folk
• song
• piano
• arrangement
• Калинка
• Kalinka
• Alexander
• Zlatkovski
• Александр
• Златковский

[ModellMeister]

I disagree with the description, most well known Russian Folk is Katyusha

[AlexanderZlatkovski]

@ModellMeister Katyusha is not a folk song: it was composed in 1938 by Matvei Blanter.

[AlexanderZlatkovski]

Well.. Korobeiniki is also a Russian song. Thanks for the idea: I should record it too.

[sniperdoc8404]

Where can one get that arrangement? I'd like to learn that piece...

[AlexanderZlatkovski]

@sniperdoc8404  It is my own free arrangement - no sheet music, sorry... For the basic melody Google "Kalinka sheet music", or give me your e-mail address, and I'll send you the file. Good luck!

[Turkiyey]

This has to be the most best version I have heard on the piano

[ModellMeister]

@AlexanderZlatkovski really? i never knew

[kriss4176]

can you make a video of you playing vinovata li ya?

[dinalives]

beautiful!

[naoki1913]

cool!!



[tibbert1234]

When there has to be one prick who dislikes it just for the fact that it has no dislikes.

[4iell0]

Complimenti bravo.

[yurok1988]

@alexutzu026 :))

[hhelikopter]

Very nice!