Kabalevsky, who lived until 1987, was one of the leading Soviet-era composers, and was much involved in the development of music education for children. In this he had a similar role to that of Zoltan Kodaly in Hungary. Much of his music is fairly straightforward and tonal, with an optimistic tone, and frequent use of march-like rhythms. His Youth piano concerto is even more so, plus having less demanding keyboard dexterity since it was to be performed by youth. In spite of this it is a catchy and enjoyable little concerto, with which I was familiar from a Urania reissue of an older Soviet stereo recording. This new (2005-06) recording is in improved sound and has an even livelier performance.
Kabalevsky designed the Rhapsody also for performance by youthful musicians, and used as its main theme a popular Soviet song extolling the “golden childhood of Soviet schoolchildren.” However, it doesn’t push any particular Soviet ideology, having been composed during the “Thaw” period following the death of Stalin. The same cannot be said for the Poem of Struggle, the composer’s first major work, which was written and performed in 1931. The lyrics of its final chorus celebrate that “soon every month will become another country’s October!” (i.e.: The Russian Revolution will overtake all other countries.) As expected, the musical level of this lyrical propaganda is nil. Fortunately it is the closing track on the disc. The Rimsky-Korsakov piano concerto, though only 14 minutes length, is a fully realized work of some popularity. Like much of Kabalevsky’s works, it utilizes themes that sound like Russian folk songs even when they are original with the composer.
– John Sunier
