Composer

:

Dmitry Shostakovich

Genre

:

Symphony

Style

:

Symphony

Compose Date

:

1962

Average_duration

:

61:02

Movement_count

:

5

Movement ....

Symphony No. 13 in B flat minor, Op. 113 Babi Yar is a choral symphony composed by Dmitry Shostakovich in 1962. The symphony is based on the poems of Yevgeny Yevtushenko, a Russian poet who wrote about the massacre of Jews at Babi Yar during World War II. The premiere of the symphony was on December 18, 1962, in Moscow, with the composer conducting. The symphony has five movements, each based on a different poem by Yevtushenko. The first movement, "Babi Yar," is a somber and mournful depiction of the massacre of Jews at Babi Yar. The second movement, "Humor," is a satirical and ironic commentary on the Soviet government's treatment of its citizens. The third movement, "In the Store," is a depiction of the struggles of everyday life in the Soviet Union. The fourth movement, "Fears," is a meditation on the fear and anxiety that pervaded Soviet society. The final movement, "A Career," is a scathing critique of the Soviet system and its emphasis on career advancement over personal integrity. The symphony is characterized by its use of a large chorus, which sings the text of Yevtushenko's poems. The chorus is accompanied by a large orchestra, which includes a prominent role for the percussion section. The symphony is also notable for its use of Jewish folk melodies, which are woven throughout the score. Overall, Symphony No. 13 in B flat minor, Op. 113 Babi Yar is a powerful and moving work that reflects the political and social realities of Soviet society in the 1960s. It is a testament to Shostakovich's skill as a composer and his ability to use music to comment on the world around him.

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