The songs of Dmitry Shostakovich reflect the process of allusion and concealment that permeated his larger-scale music, and this selection traces his musical career from lighthearted early experiments to his late work. Settings of the composer’s most loved poets are included, from Marina Tsvetayeva and Mikhail Lermontov to Shakespeare, as well as settings of Jewish folk poetry. The songs are richly varied and include cabaret-like moments, romantic balladry, the avant-garde and satirical subversion. Through the intimate medium of song Shostakovich managed to express the full range of his genius. This is the third in a series of Russian vocal music recordings by the pair of mezzo-soprano Margarita Gritskova and pianist Maria Prinz. Their first album included a collection of songs by Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov and Rachmaninov (8.573908),and was enthusiastically received by the Audio Video Club of Atlanta: ‘With superb support from her recital partner...the mezzo-soprano sings a program of Russian songs that benefit from the depth and sensual beauty of her voice. Additionally, they reveal a keen intelligence at work engaging with poetry of real literary substance.’