Dmitri Shostakovich’s Vocal Compositions.

Dedicated to Nina Vasilyevna Varzar

Six Romances on Japanese Poems

For Tenor and Piano. Op. 21 (1932)

1. Love. Words by an unknown author. Translation by A. Brandt.
2. Before Suicide. Words by Otsuno Odzi (7th century). Translation by A. Brandt.
3. Immodest Glance. Words by an unknown author of the 18th century. Translation by A. Brandt.
4. For the First and Last Time. Words by A. Prace.
5. Hopeless Love. Words by an unknown author.
6. Death. Words by an unknown author.

This publication is based on the 1982 edition: D. Shostakovich, Collected Works, Vol. 32, Muzyka Publishers, Moscow, collated with the author’s manuscript kept in Dmitri Shostakovich’s Archive—rec. gr. 1, section 1, f. 98 and 99.

The differences between the piano score and orchestral version (Op. 21a) are noted in the publication of the score in D. Shostakovich, New Collected Works, Vol. 87, DSCH, Moscow, 2006.

Four Romances on Poems by Alexander Pushkin

For Bass and Piano. Op. 46 (1936)

1. Rebirth.
2. A Jealous Maiden, Sobbing Bitterly.
3. Presentiment.
4. Stanzas.

This publication is based on the 1982 edition: D. Shostakovich, Collected Works, Vol. 32, Muzyka Publishers, Moscow, collated with the author’s manuscript kept in Dmitri Shostakovich’s Archive—rec. gr. 1, inv. 1, f. 322 (A). The author’s version of the second romance “A Jealous Maiden, Sobbing Bitterly...” for soprano and piano is printed in Appendix I in accordance with the author’s manuscript kept in RSALA, rec. gr. 2048, inv. 1, f. 48.

Four Monologues on Verses by Alexander Pushkin

For Bass and Piano. Op. 91 (1952)

1. Excerpt.
2. What Does My Name Mean to You?
3. In the Depth of the Siberian Mines.
4. Farewell.

This publication is based on the 1982 edition: D. Shostakovich, Collected Works, Vol. 32, Muzyka Publishers, Moscow, collated with the author’s manuscript kept at the Glinka All-Russia Museum
Association of Musical Culture (VMOMK)—rec. gr. 32, f. 95.

Spring, spring... to Words by Alexander Pushkin

For Bass and Piano. Op. 128 (1967)

This publication is based on the 1984 edition: D. Shostakovich, Collected Works, Vol. 33, Muzyka Publishers, Moscow, collated with the author’s manuscript kept in Dmitri Shostakovich’s Archive—rec. gr. 1, section 1, f. 167.

Two Songs on Verses by Mikhail Svetlov

For Voice and Piano. Op. 72 (1946)

1. Song of the Lantern.
2. Lullaby.

This publication is based on the 1984 edition: D. Shostakovich, Collected Works, Vol. 28, Muzyka Publishers, Moscow. The whereabouts of the author’s manuscript is unknown. The author’s version of the second song “Lullaby” for solo voice, choir and piano is printed in Appendix II in accordance with the following publication: D. Shostakovich, Songs, Sovetsky kompozitor, Moscow, 1958.

Four Songs to Words by Yevgeni Dolmatovsky

For Voice and Piano. Op. 86 (1951)

1. The Homeland Hears.
2. Rescue Me.
3. He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not.
4. Lullaby.

This publication is based on the 1982 edition: D. Shostakovich, Collected Works, Vol. 32, Muzyka Publishers, Moscow, collated with the author’s manuscripts. The author’s manuscript of the song “The Homeland Hears” is kept in Dmitri Shostakovich’s Archive (rec. gr. 1, section 1, f. 183), the song “Rescue Me” in the Russian State Archives of Literature and Art (rec. gr. 2048, inv. 3, f. 11), and the songs “He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not” and “Lullaby” in the VMOMK (rec. gr. 32, f. 92). The author’s version of the first song “The Homeland Hears” for solo voice, choir and piano is printed in Appendix I in accordance with the following publication: D. Shostakovich, Romances and Songs to Words by Yevgeni Dolmatovsky, Sovetsky kompozitor, Moscow, 1987.

Madrigal (Impromptu) to Words by M. Pravdin

For Tenor and Piano. Sans Op. (1933)

The whereabouts of the author’s manuscript is unknown. It is printed in accordance with a photocopy of the author’s manuscript kept in Dmitri Shostakovich’s Archive—rec. gr. 2, section 1, f. 93 (A). This facsimile copy is published in Appendix III.

Olga Dombrovskaya deciphered the poetic text from the author’s manuscript and edited it.

Appendix I

Author’s Versions of Romances and Songs

- A Jealous Maiden, Sobbing Bitterly… Words by Alexander Pushkin (version for soprano and piano).
- Lullaby. Words by Mikhail Svetlov (version for solo voice, choir and piano).
- The Homeland Hears. Words by Yevgeni Dolmatovsky (version for solo voice, choir and piano).