Composer

:

Dmitry Shostakovich

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song Cycle

Compose Date

:

1948

Average_duration

:

24:45

Movement_count

:

11

Movement ....

From Jewish Folk Poetry, Op. 79 is a song cycle composed by Dmitry Shostakovich in 1948. The premiere of the work took place in Moscow on December 25, 1948, with the composer himself at the piano and the vocal parts performed by Zara Dolukhanova and Ivan Kozlovsky. The cycle consists of 13 songs, each based on a different Jewish folk poem. The poems were selected by the composer and his friend, the poet Yakov Gordin, who translated them into Russian. The songs are arranged for voice and piano, with some of them featuring additional instruments such as clarinet, violin, and cello. The first movement, "Lament for a Dead Infant," is a mournful song that sets the tone for the rest of the cycle. The second movement, "Lullaby," is a gentle and soothing song that contrasts with the sadness of the first. The third movement, "Serenade," is a playful and upbeat song that features a clarinet solo. The fourth movement, "The Young Girl's Song," is a tender and romantic song that tells the story of a young girl who falls in love with a boy from a different village. The fifth movement, "The Little White Acacia," is a nostalgic and wistful song that evokes memories of childhood. The sixth movement, "The Misunderstood Father," is a humorous and satirical song that pokes fun at a father who is unable to understand his children. The seventh movement, "Winter," is a bleak and desolate song that describes the harshness of the Russian winter. The eighth movement, "Happiness," is a joyful and celebratory song that expresses the happiness of being alive. The ninth movement, "Sorrow," is a poignant and melancholic song that reflects on the pain of loss. The tenth movement, "The Fateful Moment," is a dramatic and intense song that tells the story of a young man who is about to be executed. The eleventh movement, "The Homeland," is a patriotic and stirring song that celebrates the beauty and richness of the Jewish homeland. The twelfth movement, "The Song of Misery," is a haunting and mournful song that expresses the pain and suffering of the Jewish people. The final movement, "The Warning," is a powerful and prophetic song that warns of the dangers of war and violence. The cycle ends on a somber note, with the piano playing a mournful melody that fades away into silence. From Jewish Folk Poetry, Op. 79 is a deeply emotional and expressive work that reflects the composer's personal and political struggles. The cycle is a tribute to the rich and diverse culture of the Jewish people, and a testament to the power of music to express the deepest human emotions.

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