Ex. 1-3: Do not tempt me

Mikhail Glinka

Key: C/AmTime: 4/4

Composed in 1825 when Glinka was 21. The poem "Disillusion" (Razuverenie) by the Russian poet Yevgeny Baratynsky is the monologue of a heartbroken soul asking not to be tempted by love again.

Before this song, Russian vocal music mostly imitated Italian and French styles. This song is seen as one of the first to create a distinctly Russian sound. The lyrics are sad, but the music is gentle and elegant.

The melody has been widely arranged for instruments, with notable recordings by cellist Mischa Maisky and theremin player Clara Rockmore.

Track 10 from the album Ave Maria by Hibla Gerzmava and Ekaterina Ganelina (2004)
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