Galop from The Comedians
Dmitri Kabalevsky (1904-87)

Dmitry Borisovich Kabalevsky was a Soviet composer, whose music, which often makes use of Russian folk melodies, is heavily nationalistic and politically oriented. He was born in Saint Petersburg, and educated at the Scriabin Music School and the Moscow Conservatory. His many works, melodic and harmonically conservative.

His Symphony no. 3 is subtitled Requiem for Lenin, and his opera Before Moscow, written (1942) for the 25th anniversary of the Russian Revolution, celebrates the defense of the capital in World War II (1939-45). Other works include a chorale, Our Great Fatherland (1942); an opera, Colas Breugnon (1938); a suite, The Comedians (1940); and an operetta, The Sisters (1967).

He wrote musical scores for several Soviet films, piano and chamber works, and a series of piano pieces for children.