A Russian Song Book (Dover Song Collections)

Twenty-five traditional folk songs, plus 19 songs written in the folk style by 20th-century composers such as Shostakovich, Knipper, and Zakharov, are presented here on the basis of popularity. The selections were made from hundreds of songs, and, in all instances, Soviet editions were used to obtain versions as authentic as possible. The folk songs have been arranged in easy-to-play settings utilizing keys for comfortable singing. The popular songs are somewhat more difficult in that they are "composed" songs, and it is frequently advisable to follow the composer's intentions as much as possible. The additions of the guitar chords, the use of simple harmonic structure, and the general instrumental treatment are intended to assist the song lover. The lyrics are shown in the original Cyrillic, in transliteration, and in an English translation.