Composer

:

Dmitry Shostakovich

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1951

Average_duration

:

48:21

Movement_count

:

10

Movement ....

Dmitry Shostakovich's 'Poems (10), Op. 88' is a song cycle composed in 1950. The premiere of the work took place on December 6, 1950, in Moscow, with the composer himself at the piano. The cycle consists of ten songs, each set to a poem by different poets, including Alexander Pushkin, Mikhail Lermontov, and Yevgeny Dolmatovsky. The first movement, "The Sun Shines," is a bright and optimistic song that sets the tone for the rest of the cycle. The second movement, "The Gamblers," is a dark and brooding song that reflects the desperation of those who have lost everything to gambling. The third movement, "The Storm," is a dramatic and intense song that captures the power and fury of a storm. The fourth movement, "The Poet's Death," is a haunting and melancholy song that reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. The fifth movement, "The Night," is a dreamy and atmospheric song that captures the mystery and beauty of the night. The sixth movement, "The King of Denmark," is a playful and whimsical song that tells the story of a king who loves to dance. The seventh movement, "The Suicide," is a somber and introspective song that explores the dark thoughts and emotions that can lead someone to take their own life. The eighth movement, "The Love of a Dead Man," is a poignant and emotional song that reflects on the enduring power of love even after death. The ninth movement, "The Ghost," is a spooky and eerie song that tells the story of a ghost haunting a house. The final movement, "The Toast," is a celebratory and joyful song that brings the cycle to a close on a positive note. Overall, 'Poems (10), Op. 88' is a diverse and emotionally rich song cycle that showcases Shostakovich's skill as a composer and his ability to capture a wide range of moods and emotions in his music.

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