SKU: A0.601828

Rachmaninoff: Zdes' Khorosho, Op. 21, No. 7 (as played by Yo Yo Ma and Kathryn Stott) ARRANGED for VIOLIN and Piano.

___________________________________________


Зде�ь хорошо (Zdes' khorosho, How nice is here) was written in April 1902, in a sweet moment in the composer's life: he had overcome a creative block and had just married his cousin Natalia Sarina. Zdes' khorosho is n. 7 from Twelve Romances, op. 21, a beautiful song that talks about the bond between man, nature and God. It’s also a love song; One of the things I like the most is the balance between contemplation and passion that Rachmaninov accomplishes. The poem, by the Countess Glafira Adolfovna Einerling, a contemporary writer of the composer who wrote under the pseudonym of Galina, simply describes a sunset. I don't know if the landscape portrayed is similar to what Rachmaninov could see from his home but no doubt he felt it part of his own; he even changed the beginning of the poem so he said that the nice place was here. Zdes' khorosho is a song full of lyricism, seemingly simple but demanding for the singer (please pay attention to the pianissimo at the last verse, which seems to arise from nowhere), with an exquisite accompaniment. Some scholars think that the true essence of Rachmaninov is found in songs like that, rather than in his athletic piano concerts.
Songs of Comfort and Hope is inspired by the series of recorded-at-home musical offerings that Ma began sharing in the first days of the COVID-19 lockdown in the United States. Over the course of the last year, Yo-Yo Ma’s #SongsofComfort grew from a self-shot video of Antonín Dvořák’s Goin’ Home into a worldwide effort that has reached more than 20 million people. Ma and Stott marked the next chapter in the project with this album, offering consolation and connection in the face of fear and isolation. The album includes 21 new recordings, which span modern arrangements of traditional folk tunes, canonical pop songs, jazz standards, and mainstays from the western classical repertoire.

Official Video by Yo-Yo Ma and Kathryn Stott, performing Rachmaninoff 'Zdes' khorosho' from Songs of Comfort and Hope

https://youtu.be/bcBcXV3lmKs 8 pages.

SKU: A0.948808

ЗдеÑ�ÑŒ хорошо (Zdes' khorosho, How nice is here) was written in April 1902, in a sweet moment in the composer's life: he had overcome a creative block and had just married his cousin Natalia Sarina. Zdes' khorosho is n. 7 from Twelve Romances, op. 21, a beautiful song that talks about the bond between man, nature and God. It’s also a love song; One of the things I like the most is the balance between contemplation and passion that Rachmaninov accomplishes. The poem, by the Countess Glafira Adolfovna Einerling, a contemporary writer of the composer who wrote under the pseudonym of Galina, simply describes a sunset. I don't know if the landscape portrayed is similar to what Rachmaninov could see from his home but no doubt he felt it part of his own; he even changed the beginning of the poem so he said that the nice place was here. Zdes' khorosho is a song full of lyricism, seemingly simple but demanding for the singer (please pay attention to the pianissimo at the last verse, which seems to arise from nowhere), with an exquisite accompaniment. Some scholars think that the true essence of Rachmaninov is found in songs like that, rather than in his athletic piano concerts.

In 1963, the Russian composer Vladimir Michailovich Jurowski (father and grandfather of conductors) orchestrated ten songs by Rachmaninov, including Zdes' khorosho, and there is a later orchestration of this song by Michael Rot. You know that I usually find it difficult to renounce the original piano versions, especially when the composer didn't orchestrated them, but I recommend you to listen to Anna Netrebko singing this song with the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra conducted by Valery Gergiev.

You might wonder why I don't share this version here, there are two reasons: first, I can’t do without that beautiful piano; two, I chose my version months ago (something that lately happens quite often). I said before that Zdes' khorosho is between contemplation and passion; Most of singers enhance the most contemplative perspective, that's the case of the lovely performance by Anna Netrebko. Others sing the most passionate version, like the one we’re listening today. Its tempo is faster than usual, it lasts about a minute and a half; maybe it would surprise you if you're used to slower versions. I hope you enjoy this song as much as me; I think this performance by Nicolai Gedda and Gerald Moore, recorded live in 1966, is wonderful.

Source: Liederabend.cat
https://www.liederabend.cat/en/bloc/entrades/400-how-nice-it-is-here

SKU: A0.564135

Originally published in 1915 as the last of his 14 Songs or 14 Romances, Op. 34, Rachmaninoff wrote this beautiful piece for high voice with piano accompaniment. It is presented here as an instrumental duet with piano accompaniment and is a firm favourite to play at any performance, from weddings to recitals to parties and beyond!

This piece can either be played with a live pianist, or can be played along with the free backing track which is available from https://youtu.be/8tBl9vPprw4 (copy and paste into a new window) and also in the video screen above.

Parts in the correct transposition are provided, along with the score.

Complete string catalogue arr. Austin Ralphson is here (copy and paste to new tab):
www.ralphsonstrings.com