Symphony No. 13 in B-flat minor, Babi Yar
Dmitri Shostakovich
Work background
Researched classical background
Shostakovich set five poems by Yevgeny Yevtushenko for bass soloist, men's chorus and orchestra. The opening poem commemorates the victims of the Babi Yar massacre and condemns antisemitism. Later movements address humor, women waiting in shops, fear and integrity. The shared vocal forces make the symphony a sustained sequence of public testimony rather than a purely instrumental argument.
Inspiration and creative background
Yevtushenko's Babi Yar poem prompted the work; four further poems broadened its moral and social themes.
Boston Symphony Orchestra: Babi Yar
1962 composition, Yevtushenko poems, voices and historical context | Reviewed 2026-10-19
A listening guide
Follow the contrast between the solo bass and the collective voice of the chorus.
Listening suggestions are editorial guides to the music.
Forces: Bass solo, bass/men's chorus and large orchestra
Composition: 1962
This entry describes the musical work or cycle. Composition, premiere and publication dates describe different events. Performers and recordings can be explored through the external listening search.
Also known as: Babi Yar; Babiy Yar
Boston Symphony Orchestra: Babi Yar
1962 composition, Yevtushenko poems, voices and historical context | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Boosey & Hawkes / Sikorski: Shostakovich chronological work list
Work dates, opuses, keys, voices and revision information | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Sources for this work
Boston Symphony Orchestra: Babi Yar
1962 composition, Yevtushenko poems, voices and historical context | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Boosey & Hawkes / Sikorski: Shostakovich chronological work list
Work dates, opuses, keys, voices and revision information | Reviewed 2026-10-19
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