Composer

:

Dmitry Shostakovich

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song Collection

Compose Date

:

1960

Average_duration

:

15:25

Movement_count

:

5

Movement ....

Dmitry Shostakovich's 'Satires (5), Op. 109' is a set of five satirical songs for bass and piano, composed in 1972. The premiere of the work took place on December 18, 1972, in Moscow, with the bass singer Mark Reizen and the pianist Yuri Serov. The five movements of the work are: 1. "The Ant and the Fly" - a humorous dialogue between the two insects, with the ant representing the Soviet government and the fly representing the common people. 2. "The Dance Teacher" - a parody of a dance lesson, with the bass imitating the voice of a strict dance teacher and the piano providing a comical accompaniment. 3. "The Exclamation" - a short, energetic piece in which the bass repeatedly exclaims "Hey!" in different tones and rhythms. 4. "The Career of a Man" - a satirical commentary on the Soviet system of career advancement, with the bass singing about a man who rises to the top through flattery and deceit. 5. "The Galloping Major" - a humorous song about a military officer who loves to ride horses, with the bass imitating the sound of a galloping horse and the piano providing a lively accompaniment. The 'Satires' showcase Shostakovich's skill in composing music that is both humorous and thought-provoking. The composer's use of parody and satire allowed him to express his dissenting views on Soviet society and politics in a way that was both subtle and subversive. The work is also notable for its use of unconventional vocal techniques, such as sprechgesang (a style of singing that is closer to speaking than to traditional singing) and exaggerated vocal inflections. Overall, 'Satires (5), Op. 109' is a witty and entertaining work that demonstrates Shostakovich's mastery of musical satire and his ability to use music as a means of social commentary.

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