Although Kabalevsky is ranked with Shostakovich and Prokofiev among the former Soviet Union's leading composers, he is relatively unknown to today's listening public. His natural talent for catchy melodies, clear structures, and drive appealing to listening audiences made it easy for him to write music that is pleasantly tickling to the ears on a first listen, and holds it's own on theoretical analysis. This is masterfully written music of great appeal and full of wit and charm.