Only Once /Только Pаз / - Russian Romance.

Creators - Yuri Chernavsky - Leonid Derbenev

Day and night love spreads in the heart.
Day and night my head spins.
Day and night like in a charming fairy tale,
I still hear your words.

Only once in life does a meeting happen.
Only once does fate interrupt the thread of life.
Only once on a frosty winter evening,
I want to love so much!

A ray of purple sunset melts
And envelops flowers in blue.
Where are you, my once desired one?
Where are you, sleeping dreams?

Only once in life does a meeting happen.
Only once can fate interrupt the thread of life.
Only once on a frosty winter evening,
I want to love so much!

Russian Romances for female voice and two guitars.
Russian Romances are as important to Russians as Tango is to Argentines or Fado is to Portuguese. And just as Fado and Tango are very well known, Russian Romances are not. Russian Romance is a small piece sung to the accompaniment of two guitars or a piano, Fado, for example, is played only to classical guitar and Portuguese guitar.
Russian Romances are divided into two genres. One genre is the Russian Romance, usually sung on various occasions in Russian homes, manors and palaces, simply in salons. The second genre is the Romances sung by Russian Gypsies accompanied by a larger ensemble, often with the violin as a solo instrument. Russian Romances are undoubtedly the most romantic and nostalgic pieces we know. The difficulty of performing Russian Romances lies in the fact that they are played on two Russian guitars. The Russian guitar is very similar to the Spanish classical guitar, except that the Russian has seven strings and is tuned to the so-called chord, similarly to the seven-string Brazilian guitar. The Russian Romance itself is not technically difficult to perform, the problem is a very characteristic interpretation, unique mood, lyrical guitar music and, in addition, the poetry of the lyrics, full of romanticism, passion, longing, which can move everyone. This music forces you to experience strong emotions. No one in other countries has ever tried to sing Fado. Has anyone tried to sing Russian Romances? Once before the war, an Englishwoman - Deanna Durbin. We, as non-Russians, will also try. Our romances are performed in the most classical form for a soprano and two Spanish six-string guitars. We tried to arrange them so that they sound like romances sung and played at the turn of the last century, i.e. before and after 1900 until the period of the Russian Revolution.
Enjoy listening.
Performers:
Joanna Nemo - Soprano
Hector Martin - Rhythmic guitar and Solo guitar
Musical arrangements - Hector Martin
Dogs - Russkaja Borzoi breeds, puppy Xawier and his Mom, kindly loaned - Kennel Smirnoff DK. Our Borzoi, - Boris and Puszka, and dachshund - Tytus also participate.
Informal group NEMO
Studio NEMO 2025