Dmitri Kabalevsky was born in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1904. His musical studies took place first at the Scriabin State College of Music, then at the Moscow Conservatory. His professional career as a musican started with teaching but was soon supplemented by his creative work. In 1940 he received the Order of Merit and in 1946 the Stalin Prize.
Kabalevsky's music is filled with subjective feelings. Traditional in its techniques, and filled with ingratiating lyricism, it is always pleasant to listed to. Many of his works are steeped in Russian history and tradition, or are intended to glorify Soviet ideology, even when these works are not programmic.
David Ewen
Ewen's Musical Masterworks