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The Cossack's Bride

by Michell, Pfeiffer & Kulesh

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1.
Из-за острова на стрежень На простор речной волны Выплывают расписные Острогрудые челны Proudly sailed the arrow-breasted Ships of Cossack yeomanry. On the first ship Stenka Razin Captive princess by his side Drunken stands in marriage revels With his beautiful young bride. Like a drum my heart was beating And your kiss was sweet as wine... With her eyes downcast, the princess, like a ghost in reverie, Sits in silence as her captor Rants and raves in drunken glee. From behind there comes a murmur: 'Has our leader been unmade? One short night and Stenka Razin for a wench has us betrayed! One short night and Stenka Razin for a wench has us betrayed!' Und sie spotten: „Selbst zum Weibe hat den Helden sie gemacht!“ Stenka hört es – und der alte Recke ist in ihm erwacht. Stenka hears this – and the princess He has circled with his hand. 'Volga, Volga, Mother Volga!' «Волга – русская река! Не видала ты подарка От донского казака» 'You've not had yet such a present From the Cossacks of the Don.' Now, with one swift mighty motion He has raised his bride on high And has cast her where the waters Of the Volga roll and sigh. И за борт её бросает В набежавшую волну... Schleudert weit sie in die Fluten und die Woge trägt sie fort... Though the carnival is over I will love you till I die.
2.
Из-за острова на стрежень На простор речной волны Выплывают расписные Острогрудые челны Proudly sailed the arrow-breasted Ships of Cossack yeomanry. On the first ship Stenka Razin Captive princess by his side Drunken stands in marriage revels With his beautiful young bride. Like a drum my heart was beating And your kiss was sweet as wine... With her eyes downcast, the princess, like a ghost in reverie, Sits in silence as her captor Rants and raves in drunken glee. From behind there comes a murmur: 'Has our leader been unmade? One short night and Stenka Razin for a wench has us betrayed! One short night and Stenka Razin for a wench has us betrayed!' Und sie spotten: „Selbst zum Weibe hat den Helden sie gemacht!“ Stenka hört es – und der alte Recke ist in ihm erwacht. Stenka hears this – and the princess He has circled with his hand. 'Volga, Volga, Mother Volga!' «Волга – русская река! Не видала ты подарка От донского казака» 'You've not had yet such a present From the Cossacks of the Don.' Now, with one swift mighty motion He has raised his bride on high And has cast her where the waters Of the Volga roll and sigh. И за борт её бросает В набежавшую волну... Schleudert weit sie in die Fluten und die Woge trägt sie fort... Though the carnival is over I will love you till I die.

about

The Cossack's Bride by Michell, Pfeiffer & Kulesh
*debut single available to pre-order now*

Michell, Pfeiffer & Kulesh is a new all-female close harmony trio bringing together the exciting talents of Odette Michell, Karen Pfeiffer and Daria Kulesh.

Their debut single, The Cossack's Bride, aims to showcase the uniqueness of this cross-cultural, multilingual collaboration, turning familiar folk tunes into something fresh and powerful. It's a striking twist on the well-known Russian murder ballad Stenka Razin - a song usually sung with a macho flair by operatic male voices, and also popular in its harmless guise as The Seekers' sentimental rewrite (The Carnival Is Over). The original ballad recounts a shocking episode from the life of the rebel Cossack leader Stepan (Stenka) Razin, documented by the Dutch traveller Jan Struis - when taunted by his merry men about 'going soft' over a captive Persian princess, drunken Stenka responds by callously throwing her overboard, into the Volga River, in a display of his 'masculinity'. Male interpretations of the song invariably glamourise its legendary antihero, making him either an almost tragic figure whose hand was forced by the duty to lead his men, or a reckless, wicked, but charismatic daredevil. The celebrated Polish singer Anna German was the first to challenge this, recording a version drenched in sadness and resentment on behalf of all women. Odette, Karen and Daria aim to carry on this legacy, giving Stenka's victim a voice. The haunting, moody arrangement of the song frames its stinging and relevant commentary on lad culture, toxic masculinity and violence against women.

Jason Emberton (production) and Phil Beer (recording; fiddle) lend their talents to the single.

***

Odette Michell is an award-winning British folk singer and songwriter who's sound is deeply rooted in the English folk tradition. Her 2019 debut album 'The Wildest Rose' was met with critical acclaim, making several of the end of year best-of lists. Odette has since appeared at Celtic Connections, has headlined two solo UK tours and was winner of the 'Female Artist of The Year' at the 2019 FATEA Awards. www.odettemichell.com

Karen Pfeiffer burst on the British folk scene only four years ago as one half of the Anglo-German duo Paul Walker & Karen Pfeiffer. Having extensively toured their shows in the UK and around the world, Karen is wooing audiences not only with her natural theatricality and life affirming playful energy, but also with her “seriously impressive, mezzo-soprano voice: one that would not be out of place on the opera stage.” (The Living Tradition). The finishing touches to have audiences melt in her hands are her oatcake-induced Swabian-Staffordshire accent and her legendary German humour. www.paulwalkermusic.co.uk

Daria Kulesh has been described by Mike Harding as “one of the finest voices and one of the most intriguing and interesting songwriters on the present folk scene”. Mixing her Eastern roots with Western folk influences, she creates an original and exciting sound, full of passion and magic - a celebration of her Russian and Ingush (North Caucasus) heritage. She has toured extensively and has three award-winning solo albums to her name. www.daria-kulesh.co.uk

credits

released November 30, 2021

Odette Michell - vocals
Karen Pfeiffer - vocals
Daria Kulesh - vocals; shruti box
Phil Beer - recording; fiddle
Jason Emberton - production; additional instrumentation; mixing; mastering

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Daria Kulesh Kings Langley, UK

Described by Mike Harding as “one of the finest voices and one of the most intriguing and interesting songwriters”, Daria Kulesh has toured extensively, leaving her audiences "completely spellbound". Born in Russia but UK-based for 15 years, she fearlessly explores her roots and family history in Ingushetia (North Caucasus) with songs that "aren't just sung, but lived".
www.daria-kulesh.co.uk
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