The Red Sundress (Красный сарафан) by A. Varlamov, Russian composer from XIX century, is one of the pieces from Leon Theremin’s repertoire. He played this particular song using his experimental polyphonic machine.
By learning this pieces on the theremin, practice opening hand for large change of finger positions, such as 1 – 6, or 2 – 7. You can practice an exercise for the interval of 6th.
This romance depicts a conversation between a daughter and her mother. Therefore, it is important to convey the contrast between the two characters. For example, the first eight bars could be played more legato, as if the daughter were pleading with her mother. From bar 9 onwards (mother), the expressive character may change to a more declamatory style.
Learn recordings of the romance by
Leon Theremin
Vocal
The piano accompaniment, recorded by Lydia Kavina
In the 19th century, the red sarafan remained a traditional wedding and festive garment for peasant women in Russia.
Here is English translation of the lyrics:
Do not sew me, Mother, a red sarafan;
Do not go to needless expense.
It is too soon to part my braid in two;
Let me keep my fair hair bound simply with a ribbon.
Let it remain uncovered by a silken veil,
To delight the eyes of the young men.
Is a maiden’s life truly one to be traded away—
To rush into marriage, only to sigh and lament?
Golden freedom is dearer to me than all else;
I would trade nothing in this world for that freedom.
(mother) My child, my little one, my darling daughter—
With your lovely head, yet so unwise.
You cannot sing out joyfully like a little bird forever,
Nor flutter among the flowers like a light-winged butterfly.
The poppy flowers on your cheeks will fade,
Your little games will become boring, you’ll be sad.
But even in old age we amuse ourselves,
Looking at our children, remembering our youth.
And I was like that when I was young,
And the same words sang to me in the girls.
You can also play this song as an ensemble piece, either with other thereminists, or by recording yourself one by one line.
Below is the piano recording of all three voices.