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Russian Gypsy!

Zina and Georgi with Instrumental Ensemble
Russian Gypsy!

Recorded in 1989, Russian Gypsy is a stirring collection of songs about love and the nomadic lifestyle of the Roma. The popular “Dzehelem, Dzehelem,” “Maroz-Ai Da Nu Da Da,” and “Ai Geleh Roma” are sung in Romani; all others are in Russian. An instrumental ensemble of guitar, piano, accordion, and violin accompanies singers Zina Vishnevskaya and Georgi Parthogh in their only recording together. No liner notes.

*Content Advisory: While some Roma have and continue to use “Gypsy” as a self-identifier, many consider the term offensive or a racial slur. Romani people are a minoritized ethnic group in Europe who have been persecuted for centuries, and the term “Gypsy” has been used in violent and racist ways. We encourage you to learn more about Roma history and culture, and the continued fight for Roma rights. For more information, please see these resources from the European Roma Rights Centre, RomArchive, and Amnesty International.
- Anna Kate Cannon, 2021–22 Dumbarton Oaks Fellow at SFR, and Dr. Adriana Helbig, professor of Music at the University of Pittsburgh, contributed to the research and writing for this statement.
For our policy on controversial recordings, please see our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Track Listing

101
Dzehelem, Dzehelem Zina and Georgi with Instrumental Ensemble 02:47  
102
Serdtse NA Snyegu (Heart in the Snow) Zina and Georgi with Instrumental Ensemble 03:05  
103
Khachu Lyubit (I Want to Love, I Want to Suffer) Zina and Georgi with Instrumental Ensemble 02:48  
104
Dni Za Dnayami Katyatsya (Days Follow Days) Zina and Georgi with Instrumental Ensemble 02:55  
105
Myi Paydyom Ka Vsyem Chertyam (We’ll Go to the Devil Anyhow) Zina and Georgi with Instrumental Ensemble 02:27  
106
Styepi Moldavanskiye (The Steppes of Moldavia) Zina and Georgi with Instrumental Ensemble 04:20  
107
Yekhal Tsygan (Gypsy on Horseback) Zina and Georgi with Instrumental Ensemble 02:33  
201
Maroz-Ai Da Nu Da Da Zina and Georgi with Instrumental Ensemble 05:04  
202
Ai Geleh Roma Zina and Georgi with Instrumental Ensemble 03:18  
203
Da Nanezh Mandeh- Valenki Zina and Georgi with Instrumental Ensemble 04:56  
204
Tri Goda (Three Years I Dreamed of You) Zina and Georgi with Instrumental Ensemble 04:35  
205
Ekh, Byla Nye Byla (Whether It Happened or Not) Zina and Georgi with Instrumental Ensemble 02:23