Composer

:

Dmitry Shostakovich

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song Collection

Compose Date

:

1965

Average_duration

:

10:14

Movement_count

:

5

Movement ....

'Songs (5) from the journal Krokodil, Op. 121' is a song cycle composed by Dmitry Shostakovich in 1955. The premiere of the cycle took place on December 18, 1955, in Moscow, with the composer himself at the piano. The cycle consists of five movements, each based on a satirical poem from the Soviet magazine Krokodil. The first movement, "The Ballad of the Bomb," is a humorous take on the Cold War arms race. The second movement, "The Ballad of the Enemy," is a sarcastic portrayal of the Soviet Union's enemies. The third movement, "The Ballad of the Motherland," is a patriotic tribute to the Soviet Union. The fourth movement, "The Ballad of the Barrel Organ," is a critique of the Soviet bureaucracy. The final movement, "The Ballad of the Unforgettable Year 1919," is a nostalgic look back at the early days of the Soviet Union. The music of the cycle is characterized by Shostakovich's signature style, which blends elements of traditional Russian music with modernist techniques. The piano accompaniment is often dissonant and angular, while the vocal melodies are lyrical and expressive. The overall tone of the cycle is satirical and ironic, reflecting the dark humor of the Krokodil poems. 'Songs (5) from the journal Krokodil, Op. 121' is a significant work in Shostakovich's oeuvre, as it represents his continued engagement with Soviet politics and culture. The cycle also showcases his ability to create powerful musical settings for text, a skill that he would continue to develop in his later vocal works.

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