Huang Hongying - Moscow Nights 莫斯科郊外的晚上 - 黄红英 2004

This is from Huang’s 4th album 俄罗斯之旅 (Russian Trip) released in Dec 2004. “Evening in Moscow“ is the English title of the song on the rear sleeve, and “ Nights in the Outskirts of Moscow“ is perhaps the most literal translation. But for me, this song will always be “Moscow Nights“ with Moscow Suburban Nights the best alternative. Подмосковные вечера is the Russian title. is a nice male version of the song in Russian. The Chinese translation from the Russian is by Xue Fan, and there are so many creative translations of the lyrics that is was difficult to decide which one to present here. The song was originally created as “Leningradskie Vechera“ (“Leningrad Nights“) by composer Vasily Solovyov-Sedoi and poet Mikhail Matusovsky in 1955, but at the request of the Soviet Ministry of Culture, a new version was prepared, with corresponding changes to the lyrics. “Evenings in Moscow Suburbs“. In 1957, the song won both the international song contest and the first prize at the 6th World Festival of Youth and Students quite to the surprise of its creators. The song spread around the world, achieving particular popularity during the Chinese Communist era when cultural exchanges between the Soviet Union and the People’s Republic of China were particularly strong. The British jazz group, Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, had a hit with the song in 1961 under the title “Midnight in Moscow“. This version peaked at number two on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in March 1962. Huang Hongying and Hugo Records put a colossal amount of work and planning into the album. It is rightly called “Moscow Trip“ because that is exactly what they did. Huang Hongying visited Moscow, St. Petersburg and Nizhny Novgorod (Gorky) leaving no stone unturned in order to get the recordings just right. It became a true labour of love. Together with Elaine Chang, she worked with the Russian Balalaika Ensemble at the New Vision Arts Festival 2002. This 6-piece ensemble can be heard on “Moscow Nights“ and other tracks on the album. They came to Huidong County to celebrate the 2012 Chinese New Year with Huang Hongying. Other Russian musicians were also involved in this album - a unique meeting of two cultures. One remembers that it was Russian musicians who were the backbone of Shanghai’s Golden Age of music in the 1930s and 40s. Huang Hongying is a Hakka folk singer, and very much a Hakka sister too. She was born in Huizhou, Guangdong, China, on August 24, 1962. Huang was taught the art of singing Hakka folksongs by her mother. For more bio details see my other uploads. English Lyrics: One of several beautiful translations available on the net. Stillness in the grove, not a rustling sound Softly shines the moon clear and bright. Dear, if you could know how I treasure so The most beautiful Moscow night. Dear, if you could know how I treasure so The most beautiful Moscow night. Lazily the brook, like a silv’ry stream Ripples gently in the moonlight, And a song afar fades as in a dream, In the spell of this summer night. (2X) Dearest, why so sad, why the downcast eyes, And your lovely head bent so low? Oh, It’s hard to speak---and yet not to speak Of the longing my heart does know. (2X) Promise me, my love, as the dawn appears And the darkness turns into light, That you’ll cherish, dear, through the passing years This most beautiful Moscow night. Mandarin Lyrics: 深夜花園裡四處靜悄悄 只有風兒在輕輕唱 夜色多麼好 心兒多爽朗 在這迷人的晚上 夜色多麼好 心兒多爽朗 在這迷人的晚上 小河靜靜流微微泛波浪 水面映著銀色月光 一陣清風一陣歌聲 多麼幽靜的晚上 一陣清風一陣歌聲 多麼幽靜的晚上 長夜快過去天色濛濛亮 衷心祝福妳好姑娘 但願從今後 你我永不忘 莫斯科郊外的晚上 但願從今後 你我永不忘 莫斯科郊外的晚上