This work, conceived as a symphonic poem in 1921, was revised five years later and turned into a ballet-pantomime. The piece celebrates the indomitable spirit of independence and courage of the Cossacks. The musical material is based on several folk melodies of the Ukraine. It opens with a threatening theme. The tension momentarily dissipates only to build up again to a climactic passage of quintessentially Russian character. The central section is considerably more relaxed and pantomime-like. It is also divided into sections of contrasting dance rhythms where the material does not leave doubts about its popular origin. Near the ending, the opening theme reappears, and combines with some of the previous dance tunes. The final section reprises several of the previous themes leading to a vibrant conclusion.

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