Mother Russia (Renaissance song)
Encyclopedia
Mother Russia is the closing song on Renaissance's
1974 album Turn of the Cards
. It also appears on the 1976 live album Live at Carnegie Hall
, the compilation Tales of 1001 Nights, Vol. 1 and several other Renaissance concert albums.
The song is a tribute to Russian writer Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
, who had been forced by the Communist
regime to leave the Soviet Union
earlier in 1974. Written as usual by poet Betty Thatcher
, the lyrics are based on Solzhenitsyn's famous novel about Soviet repression, One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich
. Because fans of the band were surprised at the move into topical songwriting, singer Annie Haslam
has had often to point out to interviewers that "Mother Russia" really refers to Solzhenitsyn.
Musically, the full version of "Mother Russia" begines with a sparse, string-driven intro marked by occasional piano
crescendos. At around two minutes into the song, Haslam's voice enters and the next three minutes of the song contain six verses in three pairs describing Solzhenitsyn's plight, in between which are short interludes of strings and acoustic guitar.
The last five minutes of the full song consist of a three-minute instrumental interlude with the full band performing over wordless vocals by Haslam, followed by a repeat of the last two verses to finish.
only. Although its parent album peaked at #94 on Billboard, the single did not go anywhere near the Billboard Hot 100
.
Renaissance (band)
Renaissance are an English progressive rock band, most notable for their 1978 UK top 10 hit "Northern Lights" and progressive rock classics like "Carpet of the Sun", "Mother Russia" and "Ashes Are Burning".-Original incarnation :...
1974 album Turn of the Cards
Turn of the Cards
Turn of the Cards is a 1974 album by progressive rock band Renaissance.-Information about the album:* "Things I Don't Understand" was founder member Jim McCarty's last contribution to the band; it had already been performed live for several years when it was finally recorded.* "Running Hard" quotes...
. It also appears on the 1976 live album Live at Carnegie Hall
Live at Carnegie Hall (Renaissance album)
Live at Carnegie Hall was a 1976 live double album by progressive rock band Renaissance. It presented songs from all of the band's Annie Haslam-era studio albums thus far, including the forthcoming Scheherazade and Other Stories.-Side A:#"Prologue" - 8:10 [Time on vinyl album 7:35 ] Live at...
, the compilation Tales of 1001 Nights, Vol. 1 and several other Renaissance concert albums.
The song is a tribute to Russian writer Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
Aleksandr Isayevich Solzhenitsyn was aRussian and Soviet novelist, dramatist, and historian. Through his often-suppressed writings, he helped to raise global awareness of the Gulag, the Soviet Union's forced labor camp system – particularly in The Gulag Archipelago and One Day in the Life of...
, who had been forced by the Communist
Communism
Communism is a social, political and economic ideology that aims at the establishment of a classless, moneyless, revolutionary and stateless socialist society structured upon common ownership of the means of production...
regime to leave the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
earlier in 1974. Written as usual by poet Betty Thatcher
Betty Thatcher
Betty Thatcher was an English lyricist, who wrote most of the lyrics for the UK progressive rock band Renaissance.-Early life:...
, the lyrics are based on Solzhenitsyn's famous novel about Soviet repression, One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich is a novel written by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, first published in November 1962 in the Soviet literary magazine Novy Mir . The story is set in a Soviet labor camp in the 1950s, and describes a single day of an ordinary prisoner, Ivan Denisovich Shukhov...
. Because fans of the band were surprised at the move into topical songwriting, singer Annie Haslam
Annie Haslam
Annie Haslam is an English progressive rock vocalist and songwriter.Originally a fashion student, she began studying under opera singer Sybil Knight in 1970 and developed her five-octave vocal range...
has had often to point out to interviewers that "Mother Russia" really refers to Solzhenitsyn.
Musically, the full version of "Mother Russia" begines with a sparse, string-driven intro marked by occasional piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
crescendos. At around two minutes into the song, Haslam's voice enters and the next three minutes of the song contain six verses in three pairs describing Solzhenitsyn's plight, in between which are short interludes of strings and acoustic guitar.
The last five minutes of the full song consist of a three-minute instrumental interlude with the full band performing over wordless vocals by Haslam, followed by a repeat of the last two verses to finish.
Single
A version of "Mother Russia" edited down to three minutes and seven seconds was released as a single in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
only. Although its parent album peaked at #94 on Billboard, the single did not go anywhere near the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
.