Franchomme - Variations sur deux Thèmes Russe et Écossais, Op. 6 (Urtext Edition, Quintet Version)

This work is the first of Franchomme’s two variation sets on Russian themes. The second, 2e Air russe varié, Op. 32, published in 1846, is based on the Ukrainian song “Їхав козак за Дунай” (Schöne Minka).

The Russian theme of Op. 6, “Кто мог любить так страстно, как я любил тебя” (“Who could love you so passionately as I loved you?”), comes from Nikolai Karamzin’s poem Прости (Farewell). Although the composer of the melody is unknown, it was already circulating by the late eighteenth century. Ivan Khandoshkin used it in his Six chansons russes pour deux violons avec variations, Op. 1, around 1794. Franchomme introduces the theme after an 11-bar introduction, followed by three variations presented as a continuous variation sequence.

The so-called “Scottish” theme of this set is actually the Irish song The Last Rose of Summer, based on a poem by Thomas Moore. The tune, “Aisling an Óigfhear” (The Young Man’s Dream), can be traced back to the 1790s. Like Glinka, Franchomme referred to it as “Scottish,” though it has no authentic connection to Scotland. Franchomme presents the melody, followed by two marked variations. The second variation incorporates an additional internal variation as well as a thematic return.

The overall design of the set exemplifies double-variation form and is generally on the same difficulty level as Franchomme’s Caprices, Op. 7.

This package contains the score, solo cello part, and quintet parts.

ASTA level: 3 to 3.5