May Waltz

May Waltz
May Waltz
Executor	Yaroslav Evdokimov
Album	All come true
Date of issue	1988
Record date	1986 - 1988
Genre	popular music
Song language	Russian
Duration	03:40
Label	"Melody"
The authors	M.Yasen , I.Luchenok
The track list of the album "Everything will come true"

"May Waltz" - Soviet song about the Great Patriotic War, finalist of the television festival "Song of the Year - 85" . The author of the music is the composer Igor Luchenok , the author of the words is Mikhail Yasen .

It was first aired on December 30, 1985 ^[1] by the People’s Artist of Belarus , Honored Artist of the Russian Federation Yaroslav Evdokimov to the accompaniment of a symphony orchestra, conducted by Alexander Petukhov ^[2] at the Dynamo Sports Palace ^[3] , in the final concert All-Union television festival of the Soviet song "Song of the Year" in 1985.

Content

The history of the song

The story is full of victories and heroic battles. But the special date for everyone is May 9 - Victory Day, Glory Day, the Day washed by the blood of millions of people. The only celebration that still unites everyone. The importance of this historical event with each passing year only increases. The war of 1941-1945 and the victory in it - this is the very “big” that “is seen from a distance”.

People version

In one of the houses of the liberated Vienna, Soviet soldiers found a piano almost unaffected. One of the warriors who could play, opened the lid, tried to play the “Viennese waltz”. Happened. And suddenly from somewhere, as if from under the ground, the sounds of a violin came - they played the same melody. Not immediately, but managed to find the entrance to the basement, threw back the rubble - and helped the host to get out - the musician - with all his family.

The Austrians were surprised that the Soviet soldiers knew the music of their homeland. But they tried to play along - who could. Soon from the street joined the accordion. Then the guitar - this is the music heard by passing infantrymen.

And soon, right on the street, a combined orchestra was playing - violins, accordions, guitars, balalaika, double bass, the very piano - they pulled it out together. They played the most diverse music, sang, danced - Vienna was celebrating liberation. Soviet soldiers laid flowers at the monument to Johann Strauss . Maybe this event was the motive for writing the "May Waltz"? ^[four]

Official Version

The song was born over 30 years ago. More than 30 years ago, the poet and front-line soldier Mikhail Yasen looked into the house of the composer and put a poem on the table. ^[five]

“The poet Mikhail Yasen worked for a long time on the patriotic poem that formed the basis of the song. Youthful experiences from the front roads prompted the rhythm and tonality of the artistic lines. The end of World War II, he met in Germany . There was born the idea of a poetical display of the personal and universal, because the war left its mark on the destinies of the people of the entire planet. ” ^[6]

When the Soviet troops liberated Austria , the author of the words artilleryman Mikhail Goldman, known as Mikhail Yasen , was 21 years old. "I saw death more than once, looked into the eyes of killed enemies and saw our dead fighters ... That's why my songs about war and Victory were born." ^[7] For almost half a century of creative activity, Mikhail Yasen composed in Russian and Belarusian languages about a hundred poems about the war, many of which became songs. Among them is the "May Waltz", which has become a favorite and popular.

The text of the poem was immediately liked by Igor Luchenko , laid down on the soul. Literally in a few days the melody was ready. “I owe a lot to Michael Ash . In general, in such a difficult task as creating a song, a lot depends on the text. A talented, heartfelt verse ignites the composer, gives him a warm response, gives impetus to creative thought. " ^[eight]

When the last volleys of war died down, the composer Igor Luchenku was not yet 7 years old, nevertheless, he knew for himself what war is. The author transferred his pain for the fate of his native people to music: unusual monumental figures, the lofty thought of the victory of the beautiful, the eternity of being and the invincibility of the Worker-Man, the characteristic romantic elevation of positive images are viewed in fragments of the work. The music of I. Luchenka , in which the lyrical melody of the Belarusian region and social and patriotic intonations organically combined, received a powerful spiritual charge.

By musical means, Igor Luchenok talentedly revealed the meaning of the poem, his artistic imagery, and created an original national work. ^[6]

In the new vocal work on the ordinary, wounded, like people, harmonies with the sunny sounds of a waltz, the soldier-musician pleased those present on the streets of Vienna , which in the XVIII-XIX centuries. considered the musical capital of Europe . The world brought smiles to the faces of the Viennese townspeople. Even Strauss himself would be glad that this European capital of classical music received, along with freedom, an excellent dedication song that struck both the soft rhythm and the story that was in the text.

The Volga and the Danube ... The last bastion beyond which there was no land for the Soviet soldier, and a river flowing through a dozen countries whose land had been trampled on for several years by a fascist boot. This is the comparison in the song “May Waltz” written in the year of the 40th anniversary of the Victory:

As if he saw the Volga spills,
As if embraced the Motherland ...

“The Danube is peculiarly perceived in the song. He is a symbol of peace, friendship and love. The river originates in southern Germany and has a full stream and spiritually unites the peoples of Austria , Slovakia , Hungary , Croatia , Serbia , Bulgaria , Romania , Moldova , Ukraine . And the movement of its flow is the same as the rhythm of the waltz : calmly majestic, softly elegant, and in some places it is fast, swift. ” ^[6]

Holiday Song. So you can characterize this work. In the spring of '45, a 4-year war was summed up, which brought tragedy to every home, the destruction of cities, the destruction of monuments, the looting of museums. The holiday of the liberation of Vienna became possible only after the Austrian capital was completely cleared of the fascists of the 3rd Ukrainian Front. “The joy of victory splashed across the planet in May days - at a time when the earth, like a veil, dresses up in bloom and rejoices in the final victory over the north wind of winter. (The poet was offended when the waltz was called “Viennese” in the title of the song, because “May” is a broader one: it covers the whole of Europe, over which only the Sun can reign) ”. ^[6] And while listening to the song, we feel the colors that “bright, sunny May” scatters on the long-suffering “Blue Danube ”. “In the soul of the poet an image crystallized - a symbol of the invincibility of the creative spirit, which was embodied in music. It is music that very subtly conveys all emotional experiences, reveals the meaning of our existence. And the music that unites all nations appears as a waltz in the song. ” ^[6]

Who was the soldier who played on the “old harmony wounded in battles” in front of those who had gathered to listen to the inhabitants of “Vienna saved”? This harmonicist could be any of the thousands of soldiers who brought freedom to the peoples of Europe . Now it is almost impossible to find out. And which waltz was performed by a soldier? Perhaps it was the "Waves of the Danube", and maybe "In the forest near the front." This is not said in the song, only we hear these words:

Easy inspired and bold
Soldier waltz that sounded,
And Vienna whirled and sang,
As if Strauss himself was playing.

Became a folk "May Waltz". The song is sung not only in our country, but also in Europe and in America . It sounds on the air, from the scenes, it is performed by young people and veterans, because from the very first lines this song has sunk into the hearts of many who passed through Europe and took Vienna and Berlin . How exactly the composer and the author of the words read the mood and memories that veterans keep in their hearts.

The war was a tragedy, but it was she who allowed to show all the best in the people - resilience and courage, unity and solidarity in the face of the enemy, diligence and dedication, talent of engineers and military leaders, military prowess and love for the Motherland. It is these qualities allowed to defeat the enemy. In each family - the fate and history of grandfathers and great-grandfathers who defended freedom. Victory is a holiday that unites young people, old people, adults and very young citizens of the country. Victory Day is an opportunity to pay tribute to all who fought or worked in the rear during wartime. The generation of war veterans is leaving now. We can only keep the bright memory of the heroes of the war and the rear, try to be worthy of their feat.

Alternative song titles: “Remember Vienna”, “Viennese Waltz”, “Danube Waltz”.

Song performed by Yaroslav Evdokimov

The first performer of the song, Yaroslav Evdokimov , who is almost 30 years younger than the author of the words, presented it to the audience in the contest “Song-85”.

Y. Evdokimov reveals the figurative content of the song from the inside, giving it an extraordinarily sincere character. One of the advantages of the soloist is the ability to create an entire musical picture with the help of a song, a complete artistic image — it fully manifested itself on the stage incarnation of The May Waltz.

When Y. Evdokimov sings this song, the spectators see with their own eyes the drunken victorious spring of jubilant citizens in the old square of Vienna, the Russian soldier playing native tunes in the wounded tune, and dancing along with the liberators on the bank of the blue Danube crowns. Such is the strength of the acting influence that the pop singer has. And he achieves this by purely vocal means, without resorting to some special forms of the presentation of the song, to the stage effects. ^[9]

The song can be called a landmark in the performing art of Yaroslav Evdokimov . As soon as it sounded on the air, it immediately gained popularity among the people and brought them all-union fame to their first performer. From all over the country, a lot of letters of appreciation came to the singer’s name, especially from former war veterans and war veterans who addressed Yevdokimov as their brother-soldier, brother-soldiers, shared their memories and looked for meetings with him. This is a living testimony of the national recognition of the singer's art. ^[9]

The song “May Waltz” by Igor Luchenok and Mikhail Yasen performed by Yaroslav Evdokimov flashed bright fireworks in the musical sky. ^[6] Since then, more than 30 years have passed, and “May Waltz” is a permanent number of concert programs, especially when it comes to celebrating Victory Day.

TUZIN.FM/ Naviny. TOP 100 (Bel.) :

One of the best compositions on a military theme, written by a folk artist on a poem by a poet and front-line soldier from Minsk , was first sounded on the “ Song of the Year ” on Central Television in 1985 and had a startling success. It was Evdokimov’s performance that was recognized as canonical, although other artists, including Kobzon, also took it.
Original text (Belor.)
Majs take it. Menavіka rykananne Eўdakіmava pryznanetstsa for kananichnae, hotsi for ya bra іsya іnshya artists, at tym lіku Kabzon.

The performer is characterized by high musical culture, artistry, passion, sincerity. The artist has a good mastery of stage skills, scenic culture. “Such a performance is like that of Yaroslav Evdokimov , which reflects the search for true spirituality. He expressed it in attempts to restore the “connection of times,” primarily in the songs of military themes, songs, memories of the Great Patriotic War ... " ^[10]

Record from the festival " Song of the Year ." 1985 [18]
Record from the concert State Central Concert Hall "Russia". 1986 [19]
Recorded from a concert of Soviet song and pop music at the VII All-Union Congress of Composers. Column Hall of the House of Unions. 1986 [20]
The film-concert "How beautiful the world and the earth ...", 1987. Main edition of musical programs ^[11] , [21] , [22]
The concert film "And while there is love on earth ...", 1988 [23]
Recorded from a concert at the Center for Culture and Art "Meridian". Moscow, 09.11.2012. [24]

The song "May Waltz" forever entered the anthology of masterpieces of songs about the Great Victory. Today it is the property of art.

Interesting Facts

An excerpt from an interview with a composer of a song is often mentioned: “The highest recognition when they say that my songs are folk. Once in Polesie, an elderly man, a war veteran, played the accordion for me “The May Waltz” ... “This song,” he said, “I heard in the 45th in Prague .” I clarified that the song was written by me, in the 85th, but he began to insist - the song is folk! And that was the highest praise for me. ” ^[12]
Concert in the Kremlin (true, then it was all cut out). In the hall about 6000 seats. I sang a song dedicated to veterans. They lined up, and each carried me flowers. Already other artists took to the stage. But no one dared to turn on the phonogram, no one sang. Everyone waited for the veterans to give me their flowers. It was very touching for me. ^[13]
The song is in the TOP 100 of the greatest Belarusian songs. ^[14]
Initially, the song "May Waltz" originated in Russian. In the Syabry ensemble, it sounded in Belarusian (the translation of the text was made by the poet Iosif Skurko). Mikhail Yasen decided to translate the poem himself. His Belarusian version in the semantic aspect became deeper: the image of a soldier-musician acquired more generalized features, his waltz melody reflects the joy and pain of his people, it is close and dear to everyone. Therefore, the vocal work “May Waltz” looks like a kind of symbol. It convincingly states: only spiritual and intellectual actions joyfully expand, actively resist aggression and win. ^[6]
The song gave its name to the regional festival of song and music, which takes place in Maryina Gorka (Belarus) ^[15] ^[16]
Since 2013, the Open Festival of Brass Bands "The May Waltz" has been held in Nizhny Novgorod ^[17]
From the memoirs of I. Luchenka : “Dad and Mom really wanted me to become a musician. And what is most interesting is that my mother loved Strauss waltzes. And then I wrote her “The May Waltz” - “... Vienna remembers, the Alps and the Danube remember.” And dad loved Oginsky's Polonaise . And from this roots of the national Belarusian songs - " Enchanted ", "My dear kut", etc. " ^[18]
In the show “One to One” (pop parodies) the song “The May Waltz” was performed by Mark Tishman, who tried to transform into the image of Yaroslav Evdokimov. Ether from 10.05.2015 year ^[19]

Famous Performers

“The song organically entered the repertoire of singers and choral groups - and for a long time it has been festively and attractively holding on Belarusian and Russian variety art, respectfully coexists with many vocal works that have arisen during the war years and in the first victorious days.” ^[6]

Radio Recordings

How popular it became can be judged by the number of studio recordings made on the radio in the first years after the song was created: ^[20]

The record of 1986 - soloist Yaroslav Evdokimov ; symphonic orchestra of the Belarusian radio and television; conductor - Boris Raisky .
The recording of 1986 - soloist Oleg Ukhnalev ; Song and Dance Ensemble of the Moscow Military District; conductor - Sergey Nazarko, instrumentation D. Falileev.
Record 1987 - soloist Joseph Kobzon ; The State Orchestra of Pop and Symphonic Music of the Belarusian USSR; conductor - Mikhail Finberg.
The 1992 recording - soloist Vladimir Provalinsky; orchestra of the Belarusian radio and television; conductor - Boris Raisky.

Video

Renat Ibragimov [25]
Mikhail Kizin ^[21]
Joseph Kobzon [26]
Anatoly Yarmolenko and Syabry VIA [27]
Albert Jalilov ^[22]
Angelica Agurbash [28]
Irina Allegrova [29]
Valentin Senyuk [30]
Mikhail Lukonin [31]
Edward Labkovsky [32]
Boris Kudryavtsev [33]

Audio Recordings

Boris Zaitsev [34] [35] (inaccessible link)
Edward Labkovsky ^[21]
Mikhail Lukonin ^[21]
Vladimir Provalinsky [36]
Anatoly Yarmolenko and Syabry VIA ^[21]
Renat Ibragimov ^[23]
Mikhail Kizin ^[24]

Notes

↑ [1] Archival copy of December 15, 2016 on the Wayback Machine Song of the Year
↑ [2] "Song-85", 1st branch
↑ SONG-85 FINAL - YouTube
↑ [3] And the songs also fought. May Waltz
↑ [4] Belarus today. On the streets of Vienna saved
↑ ¹ ² ³ ⁴ ⁵ ⁶ ⁷ ⁸ [5] Archival copy dated July 14, 2015 on the Wayback Machine May waltz
↑ [6] Archival copy of July 9, 2015 on the Wayback Machine I.Podolny Library
↑ [7] And the memory of the heart says
↑ ¹ ² [Zagorodni G. Yaroslav Evdokimov. Soviet pop singers [Text]: [collection of articles]. M .: Art, 1992. Issue 3 / Comp. M.V. Uspenskaya. - 1992. 304 p. : or; 20 cm. ISBN 5210024814 . - p.153]
↑ [8] Yaroslav Evdokimov. All come true. N.Yuchenko
↑ [9] How beautiful life and the earth are
↑ [10] "If you are in my heart, Russia, it means Belarus in my heart"
↑ Yaroslav Evdokimov: “Singing for self-respecting singers is not a place on television! ” Smolensk Novosti newspaper, 02.03.2006
↑ [11] 100 songs in Belarusian songs on versions of Tuzin.fm (photo / aydy / video)
↑ May Waltz
↑ II regional song and music festival "May Waltz" was held in Maryina Gorka. 21.by
↑ [12] Archival copy of July 8, 2015 on the Wayback Machine Sounds of Hope
↑ [13] Archival copy of July 8, 2015 on the Wayback Machine. Komsomolskaya Pravda in Ukraine newspaper, 17.112010.
↑ Russia TV
↑ [14] "Memory - War that changed life ..."
↑ ¹ ² ³ ⁴ [15] The Russian Pops Red Book. I. Luchenok
↑ Albert Jalilov "The May Waltz" (music by I. Luchenka, lyrics by M. Yasen) (Neoprov.) (Not available link) . YouTube - Andres Carrasco Quispe . The date of circulation is July 8, 2015. Archived July 10, 2015.
↑ [16] May Waltz (M. Yasen) Renat Ibrahimov.
↑ [17] May Waltz (M. Yasen) Mikhail Kizin.

Sources

[1] [1] Archival copy of December 15, 2016 on the Wayback Machine Song of the Year

[2] [2] "Song-85", 1st branch

[3] SONG-85 FINAL - YouTube

[4] [3] And the songs also fought. May Waltz

[5] [4] Belarus today. On the streets of Vienna saved

[autogenerated2-6] ¹ ² ³ ⁴ ⁵ ⁶ ⁷ ⁸ [5] Archival copy dated July 14, 2015 on the Wayback Machine May waltz

[7] [6] Archival copy of July 9, 2015 on the Wayback Machine I.Podolny Library

[8] [7] And the memory of the heart says

[autogenerated3-9] ¹ ² [Zagorodni G. Yaroslav Evdokimov. Soviet pop singers [Text]: [collection of articles]. M .: Art, 1992. Issue 3 / Comp. M.V. Uspenskaya. - 1992. 304 p. : or; 20 cm. ISBN 5210024814 . - p.153]

[10] [8] Yaroslav Evdokimov. All come true. N.Yuchenko

[11] [9] How beautiful life and the earth are

[12] [10] "If you are in my heart, Russia, it means Belarus in my heart"

[13] Yaroslav Evdokimov: “Singing for self-respecting singers is not a place on television! ” Smolensk Novosti newspaper, 02.03.2006

[14] [11] 100 songs in Belarusian songs on versions of Tuzin.fm (photo / aydy / video)

[15] May Waltz

[16] II regional song and music festival "May Waltz" was held in Maryina Gorka. 21.by

[17] [12] Archival copy of July 8, 2015 on the Wayback Machine Sounds of Hope

[18] [13] Archival copy of July 8, 2015 on the Wayback Machine. Komsomolskaya Pravda in Ukraine newspaper, 17.112010.

[19] Russia TV

[20] [14] "Memory - War that changed life ..."

[autogenerated1-21] ¹ ² ³ ⁴ [15] The Russian Pops Red Book. I. Luchenok

[22] Albert Jalilov "The May Waltz" (music by I. Luchenka, lyrics by M. Yasen) (Neoprov.) (Not available link) . YouTube - Andres Carrasco Quispe . The date of circulation is July 8, 2015. Archived July 10, 2015.

[23] [16] May Waltz (M. Yasen) Renat Ibrahimov.

[24] [17] May Waltz (M. Yasen) Mikhail Kizin.