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

Franchomme’s Air russe varié No. 2 is based on one of the most famous Ukrainian songs, “Їхав козак за Дунай” (The Kozak Rode Beyond the Danube), traditionally attributed to the philosopher Semen Klymovskyi. The melody became widely known in Western Europe under the title “Schöne Minka,” inspiring variation sets by Beethoven, Weber, Hummel, and others.

The song also lived on in later popular traditions. During the Soviet period, a related version became widely known as “Ти ж мене підманула” (You Lied to Me), a humorous days-of-the-week song in which the young man is repeatedly stood up at different venues. The melody has since been adapted by performers across many countries and genres. The song “Orysya” by the Ukrainian folk group Mandry is also based on the “Kozak” theme.

Air russe varié No. 2 consists of an introduction, four variations, and a finale. Franchomme’s version of the theme is closely related to Dotzauer’s Aria Russa variations, also Op. 32. Franchomme published the work in May 1846 with Hofmeister in Leipzig and Henry Lemoine in Paris, issuing it in two versions: one with piano accompaniment and one with string quintet accompaniment.

Franchomme dedicated Air russe varié No. 2 to Count Andrey Gudovich. Gudovich was also the dedicatee of Lyzohub’s Cello Sonata in G minor. He was the grandson of Kirill Razumovsky, the last Hetman of Ukraine, and the nephew of Andrey Razumovsky, famous as the dedicatee of Beethoven’s “Razumovsky” Quartets.

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

ASTA level: 3 to 3.5