Erinnerungen An Russland by Ivan Rebroff: A Schlager-Fueled Trip Down Memory Lane
If you're looking for an album that feels like a borscht-filled hug from your babushka, Erinnerungen An Russland is here to deliver. Released in 1972 and helmed by the legendary Ivan Rebroff—a man with a voice so rich it could probably pay off your mortgage—this record is a genre-bending mishmash of classical, pop, folk, world, and country vibes. It's got Schlager style dripping all over it, which means it’s equal parts sentimental and toe-tappingly catchy. And if you don’t know what Schlager is… well, just imagine ABBA but with more accordions and fewer disco balls.
The album hops across Germany, Greece, Yugoslavia, and the Netherlands like a musical Marco Polo, thanks to labels CBS and Suzy giving it wings (or maybe legs?). Tracks are penned by a mix of folks including I. Rebroff himself, R. Bauer, O. Potemkine, and someone named Blum who only gets credit for one song (poor Blum). You can tell this was made back when people still cared about liner notes.
Now let me tell ya, there’s a lot going on here—like, a lot. There are tracks sung in German, Russian, Serbian, Croatian—you name it. It’s basically linguistic whiplash wrapped up in melodies that stick to your brain like syrup on pancakes. But two songs stood out to me enough to make my ears perk up like a curious dog hearing dinner being prepared.
First up: “Ach Natascha” / “Ах, Наташа!”
This track is pure gold—or at least as close as you’ll get without raiding a vault. The melody is simple yet haunting, like that one ex you can’t stop thinking about even though they were kinda terrible for you. Rebroff’s deep baritone gives the lyrics weight, while the lilting rhythm makes you wanna grab someone and waltz around the kitchen. Sure, the title translates to something like "Oh Natasha," but trust me, it sounds way cooler in Russian. Plus, how many songs do you know that come with built-in multilingual subtitles? This tune stuck in my head because it’s both heartwarming and oddly dramatic, like watching a soap opera set in Siberia.
Then there’s “Kosaken Müssen Reiten” / “На Лошади Верхом”:
Or as I like to call it, “Horsepower: The Song.” If you’ve ever wanted to feel like a Cossack galloping through the steppes while simultaneously sipping schnapps at Oktoberfest, this is your jam. The chorus is ridiculously infectious—seriously, try not humming it after listening once. What makes it memorable isn’t just the imagery of horses and freedom; it’s also the fact that it manages to sound both triumphant and slightly tipsy at the same time. Like, yeah, we’re riding into battle, but did anyone bring snacks?
What strikes me most about Erinnerungen An Russland is how unapologetically nostalgic it is. These aren’t just songs—they’re postcards from another era, written by people who clearly loved their homeland(s) enough to sing about them endlessly. Yet despite its old-school charm, the album doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s fun, heartfelt, and occasionally borders on kitschy—but hey, sometimes life needs a little kitsch.
In the end, listening to this album feels like flipping through a dusty photo album found in your grandparents’ attic. Each track tells a story, whether it’s about love, longing, or just plain horsing around (pun intended). So crank up the volume, pour yourself a glass of vodka—or schnapps, depending on your mood—and let Ivan Rebroff whisk you away to a place where troikas race, gypsies dance, and everyone knows how to belt out a good tune.
And honestly? If this album doesn’t make you want to book a ticket to Russia—or at least start wearing fur hats indoors—I don’t know what will. Except maybe borscht. Definitely borscht.
Artist:Ivan Rebroff Album: Erinnerungen An Russland
Полетела Наша Тройка (Mit Der Troika In Die Große Stadt) - Poletjela Je Naša Trojka
2:47
Матушка (Mamutschka) - Majčica
3:00
Pferdchen Lauf
3:53
Полетела Наша Тройка (Mit Der Troika In Die Große Stadt)
2:47
Зачем Сегодня Тебя Полюбил? (Die Zügel Ganz Fest In Der Hand) - Zašto Sam Te Poljubio
3:28
На Лошади Верхом (Kosaken Müssen Reiten)
3:20
Зачем Сегодня Тебя Полюбил? (Die Zügel Ganz Fest In Der Hand)
3:28
Images
Catalog Numbers
S 64 927
64 927
Labels
CBS
Suzy, CBS
Listen online
ouvir online
ascolta in linea
kuunnella verkossa
escuchar en línea
online luisteren
lytte på nettet
lyssna på nätet
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Formats
Vinyl
LP
Album
Companies
Role
Company
Distributed By
Music-Box
Printed By
Ο. Φωτιάδης & Α. Ιωαννίδης
Pressed By
Jugoton
Phonographic Copyright (p)
CBS Inc.
Published By
April Music Inc.
Credits
Role
Credit
Written-By
Blum (tracks: A2, ), I. Rebroff (tracks: A4, B1), R. Bauer, O. Potemkine
Notes
Made in Greece.
Laminated front and non-laminated back sleeve.
Russisch gesungen [Note: German for 'Sung in Russian']
P 1973
Made in Yugoslavia
Center labels give a translated title: 'Povratak U Rusiju'
℗ 1972 CBS
Made in Holland
Printed in Germany
Barcodes
Matrix / Runout (Runout A): S 64927 A II
Matrix / Runout (Runout B): S 64927 B
Matrix / Runout (On Label Of Both Side): CBS S 64927
Rights Society: SAKOJ
Other: JUS.N.N4.201
Matrix / Runout (Runouts side A): S64927-A II (~ short wave underline)
Matrix / Runout (Runouts side B): S64927-B (~ short wave underline)
Rights Society: STEMRA
About Ivan Rebroff
This German singer (born 31.07.1931 in Berlin-Spandau, Germany - died 27.02.2008 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany) was born prematurely on a train platform in Berlin in 1931. The internationally acclaimed vocalist had a range that spans four and a half octaves.
Here’s something cool: The album *Erinnerungen An Russland* by Ivan Rebroff is like a musical bridge between cultures. Released in 1972, it blends German Schlager with Russian folk traditions, sung in both German and Russian. One of the tracks, *"Ach Natascha,"* became a hit and even has multiple versions in different languages. It’s wild to think that this one album brought together people across Germany, Greece, Yugoslavia, and the Netherlands, all while celebrating Russia’s rich musical heritage. Shows how music can cross borders, doesn’t it?
