Сплин (Splean, also transliterated as Splin and Spleen) is a rock band from… Read Full Bio ↴Сплин (Splean, also transliterated as Splin and Spleen) is a rock band from Saint Petersburg, Russia founded by Aleksandr Vasilev in 1994. They also released their debut album in '94. Although recently, The band has been experimenting more frequently. The current Splin is quite different from the band at the beginning. For nearly twelve years, they have remained one of the most popular rock bands in Russia and the former Soviet Union.

The band was formed when lead singer Aleksandr Vasilev, while working in at a theatrical institute, was introduced to keyboardist Nikolai Rostovskiy. The two formed a band, and risking Vasilev's job, began recording their first album in one of the institute's studios at night.

Despite the unstoppable rumours about the break-up situation of the group, Vasilev and Co. continue performing on different Russian and World stages. The members of the band have changed over time, but the Saint-Petersburg rock-band spirit has never left.

In recent months, the band has garnered international attention for the inclusion of their song "Be my Shadow" (Будь моей тенью) in Sergey Lukyanenko's bestselling novel, Night Watch, probably due to the mass popularity of the film of the same name.

In 2007, the group released their 9th studio album, Раздвоение Личности (Split Personality).

The Current band line up:
Aleksandr Vasilev - vocals, guitars
Aleksei Mesheryakov - drums
Vadim Sergeev - guitars
Nikolai Rostovskiy - keyboards
Dmitri Kunin - bass guitar

Бетховен
Сплин Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Медленно снег летит над крышей,
На всей земле вода и лед.
Звуки становятся неслышными,
Бетховен мертв!
Бетховен мертв!
Бетховен мертв!

На неопознанные ноты.

Взял и рассыпался аккорд,
Сомкнулись каменные своды,
Бетховен мертв!
Бетховен мертв!
Бетховен мертв!

Бетховен жив!
И музыка летит сквозь этажи,
И музыка летит сквозь этажи.
Сегодня утром так прекрасна жизнь!

Сегодня утром так прекрасна жизнь!
Сегодня утром так прекрасна жизнь!

Overall Meaning

The first verse of Сплин's song "Бетховен" paints a picture of a cold and desolate world with snow falling over the rooftops and water and ice covering the earth. The sounds around the singer become indistinct, fading away until the declaration is made: "Бетховен мертв!" (Beethoven is dead!). The second verse speaks of the unknown notes on which someone has played an unrecognizable chord causing the stone arches to close in and again the announcement: "Бетховен мертв!". However, in the chorus, the statement changes from the composer being dead to one of his music bringing life. Beethoven is alive, and his music soars through the floors of buildings, bringing the joys of life to all who hear it. The singer is shown to be uplifted, grateful to be experiencing a beautiful morning where life seems perfect.

Overall, the song seems to be speaking to the power of music to bring life to the world. While the composer has passed, their music remains, and it is that music that brings forth emotion and joy in the singer of the song. It's possible that the last line of the chorus is the most essential - today is beautiful because the music of Beethoven is alive and well.

Line by Line Meaning

Медленно снег летит над крышей,
Snow falls slowly over the roof,

На всей земле вода и лед.
Water and ice cover the whole earth.

Звуки становятся неслышными,
Sounds become inaudible,

Бетховен мертв!
Beethoven is dead!

На неопознанные ноты.
On unrecognized notes.

Взял и рассыпался аккорд,
Took and dispersed a chord,

Сомкнулись каменные своды,
Stone vaults closed,

Бетховен мертв!
Beethoven is dead!

Бетховен жив!
Beethoven is alive!

И музыка летит сквозь этажи,
And music flies through the floors,

И музыка летит сквозь этажи.
And music flies through the floors.