Franchomme - Air Russe Varié No.2, Op. 32 (Urtext Edition)

Franchomme's Air Russe Varié No.2 of the set is based on, arguably, the most famous Ukrainian song "Їхав козак за Дунай" (The Kozak rode beyond the Danube) written by the philosopher Semen Klymovskyj. This variation set by Beethoven also has seven variations. The song came to Western Europe under the title "Schöne Minka," under which title Weber,

Franchomme's Air Russe Varié No.2 of the set is based on, arguably, the most famous Ukrainian song "Їхав козак за Дунай" (The Kozak rode beyond the Danube) written by the philosopher Semen Klymovskyj. This variation set by Beethoven also has seven variations. The song came to Western Europe under the title "Schöne Minka," under which title Weber, Hummel, and others wrote their own variation sets. During the Soviet times, the song was popularized under the title "Ти ж мене підманула" (You lied to me), which is a humorous days-of-the-week song where the guy gets stood up at different venues. This version has been covered by artists from all over the world and from different genres. The song "Orysya" by the Ukrainian folk group Mandry is also based on the "Kozak" theme.

Air Russe Varié No.2 has an introduction, 4 variations, and a finale. The version of the theme is closely related to Dotzauer's Aria Russa variations (also Op. 32). Franchomme published his work with Hofmeister in Leipzig and Henry Lemoine in Paris in May 1846 in 2 versions, one with piano and the other with string quintet accompaniment.

Franchomme dedicated his Air Russe Varié No.2 to Count Andrey Gudovich. Gudovich was also the dedicatee of Lyzohub's Cello Sonanta in G minor. Gudovich was the grandson of Kirill Razumovsky, the last Hetman of Ukraine and father of Andrey Razumovsky (of the Beethoven "Razumovsky" Quartet fame).

Our edition is on the French first edition by Henry Lemoine, Paris, graciously provided by the University of Oxford.