Rayok (Shostakovich)
Encyclopedia
Anti-Formalist Rayok without opus number, also known as simply Rayok (see "rayok
"), The Peep-show, Little Paradise, The Gods and A Learner's Manual) is a satirical cantata
for four voices, chorus
and piano
by Dmitri Shostakovich
. Its title derives from Modest Mussorgsky
's work Rayok. It ridicules the Zhdanov decree of 1948 and the anti-formalism campaign in Soviet arts which followed it, and includes quotations from speeches by Zhdanov and a quotation from "Suliko
" (Joseph Stalin
's favourite song).
The date of the work is uncertain: according to the composer's friend Isaak Glikman and the Shostakovich family, it was begun in 1948, with further revisions in 1957 and the late 1960s. Another friend, Lev Lebedinsky, claims that the whole work dates from 1957 and that he rather than Shostakovich wrote the libretto
. This latter date seems more likely, especially taking into account how dangerous a work like that – even one that is not intended to be published or performed – could be for a composer's own safety.
During the composer's lifetime, the work was performed only for family and close friends. It did not receive its first public performance until 12 January 1989 under Mstislav Rostropovich
.
Rayok
Rayok literally means "small paradise" in Russian. By extension it came to mean a fairground peep show, as "The Fall" was one of the most popular topics for these. The show itself was performed with the help of a box with pictures viewed through magnifying lenses...
"), The Peep-show, Little Paradise, The Gods and A Learner's Manual) is a satirical cantata
Cantata
A cantata is a vocal composition with an instrumental accompaniment, typically in several movements, often involving a choir....
for four voices, chorus
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
and piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
by Dmitri Shostakovich
Dmitri Shostakovich
Dmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich was a Soviet Russian composer and one of the most celebrated composers of the 20th century....
. Its title derives from Modest Mussorgsky
Modest Mussorgsky
Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky was a Russian composer, one of the group known as 'The Five'. He was an innovator of Russian music in the romantic period...
's work Rayok. It ridicules the Zhdanov decree of 1948 and the anti-formalism campaign in Soviet arts which followed it, and includes quotations from speeches by Zhdanov and a quotation from "Suliko
Suliko
Suliko is a Georgian female and male name meaning 'soul'. It is also the title of a love poem written in 1895 by Akaki Tsereteli, which became widely known throughout the Soviet Union as a song performed with music composed by Varenka Tsereteli. In that form it was often performed on radio during...
" (Joseph Stalin
Joseph Stalin
Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin was the Premier of the Soviet Union from 6 May 1941 to 5 March 1953. He was among the Bolshevik revolutionaries who brought about the October Revolution and had held the position of first General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union's Central Committee...
's favourite song).
The date of the work is uncertain: according to the composer's friend Isaak Glikman and the Shostakovich family, it was begun in 1948, with further revisions in 1957 and the late 1960s. Another friend, Lev Lebedinsky, claims that the whole work dates from 1957 and that he rather than Shostakovich wrote the libretto
Libretto
A libretto is the text used in an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata, or musical. The term "libretto" is also sometimes used to refer to the text of major liturgical works, such as mass, requiem, and sacred cantata, or even the story line of a...
. This latter date seems more likely, especially taking into account how dangerous a work like that – even one that is not intended to be published or performed – could be for a composer's own safety.
During the composer's lifetime, the work was performed only for family and close friends. It did not receive its first public performance until 12 January 1989 under Mstislav Rostropovich
Mstislav Rostropovich
Mstislav Leopoldovich Rostropovich, KBE , known to close friends as Slava, was a Soviet and Russian cellist and conductor. He was married to the soprano Galina Vishnevskaya. He is widely considered to have been the greatest cellist of the second half of the 20th century, and one of the greatest of...
.