"Expectation" (Russian: ожидание) is a Russian song composed by Herold Lavrentievich Kittler (Герольд Лаврентьевич Китлер). The only thing known about the author is that he served as a conductor of the 6th Tavrichesky Grenadier Regiment in the year 1914.
The origin of this piece is nebulous, as many Klezmer orchestras know this song as a
Yiddish
Yiddish (, or , ''yidish'' or ''idish'', , ; , ''Yidish-Taytsh'', ) is a West Germanic language historically spoken by Ashkenazi Jews. It originated during the 9th century in Central Europe, providing the nascent Ashkenazi community with a ver ...
piece () and plenty of Russians claim this is a Soviet Army song. An even less well known song that goes by the name Awaiting uses the same melody with Russian lyrics. The original version of the song was written in
F Minor
F minor is a minor scale based on F, consisting of the pitches F, G, A, B, C, D, and E. Its key signature consists of four flats. Its relative major is A-flat major and its parallel major is F major. Its enharmonic equivalent, E-sharp mi ...
and
B♭ minor
B-flat minor is a minor scale based on B, consisting of the pitches B, C, D, E, F, G, and A. Its key signature has five flats. Its relative major is D-flat major and its parallel major is B-flat major. Its enharmonic equivalent, A-sharp mi ...
while the Klezmer version for the accordion and clarinet is in
D Minor
D minor is a minor scale based on D, consisting of the pitches D, E, F, G, A, B, and C. Its key signature has one flat. Its relative major is F major and its parallel major is D major.
The D natural minor scale is:
Changes needed for t ...
or
E Minor
E minor is a minor scale based on E, consisting of the pitches E, F, G, A, B, C, and D. Its key signature has one sharp. Its relative major is G major and its parallel major is E major.
The E natural minor scale is:
:
Changes needed ...
. Expectation is mostly made of minor notes along with relative minor thirds and sub-4th octaves, adding to its solemnity.
This piece has been featured in many places, such as the Russian film "The Optimistic Tragedy" and a famous
Klezmer
Klezmer ( yi, קלעזמער or ) is an instrumental musical tradition of the Ashkenazi Jews of Central and Eastern Europe. The essential elements of the tradition include dance tunes, ritual melodies, and virtuosic improvisations played for l ...
player
Dave Tarras
Dave Tarras (c. 1895 – February 13, 1989) was a Ukrainian-born American klezmer clarinetist and bandleader, a celebrated klezmer musician, instrumental in Klezmer revival.
Biography Early life
Tarras was born David Tarasiuk in Teplyk, Ukrai ...
' album Freilach in Hi-Fi. Most of these appearances do not list the true song's name. However, plenty of sheet music appears online for the song, mainly for accordion.
1906 songs
Russian songs
Waltzes
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