Dmitry Kabalevsky (1904-1987) was a composer of the Soviet era, whose successful large-scale compositions -- the orchestral suite The Comedians, two cello concertos, the opera Kola Bryun'yon, the symphonic poem Vesna, and four symphonies, among others -- are equaled, if not surpassed, by the legacy of his hundreds of teaching pieces for children. His music is more harmonically and formally conservative than that of his contemporary compatriots, and that plus his dedication to musical education under the Soviet regime alienated him from other composers. Nevertheless, the playfulness of his didactic writing continues to appeal to students.