The Op. 66 collection forms the first set of so-called "mass songs" that Prokofiev wrote. These are works that were designed to appeal to the Soviet masses with simple melody and texts on patriotic or socio/political subjects. The first two songs in this set, "Zheliznyak the Guerilla Chief" and "Anyutka," often designated as Op. 66a, are for chorus and piano, while these remaining efforts can be and usually are sung by one voice, with piano accompaniment.

The first of the Op. 66b set is "The Country Grows," which, it should be noted, is No. 3 in the entire Op. 66 collection. With texts by A. Afinogenov, it presents upbeat, lively music in its main vocal material and contrasts it with a darker, somewhat ponderous alternate melody. Overall, this song, whose subject matter is the supposedly growing Soviet state (which was then suffering many devastating crop failures), is attractive in its lightness and simplicity, but, like most of the other items in the set, it lacks the depth and character of the composer's better vocal music.

The next number, "Through Snow and Fog," also a setting of Afinogenov texts, is a mostly somber song describing a Soviet military incursion with Japanese troops. "Behind the Hill" follows, which extols the idea of collective farms. Its lively, attractive vocal line imparts a genuine color and charm to make the music seem a glaring mismatch to the political text, which is from traditional, originally Byelorussian sources. Nevertheless, this is probably the most entertaining song in the set. The last item, "Song to Voroshilov," is a grim and muscular-sounding work, whose text (by T. Sikorskaya) recounts revolutionary activities of the eponymous Commander Voroshilov. In sum, if one can overlook the propagandistic elements in these songs—elements which the then-politically naïve Prokofiev did not grasp—they will have an appeal to those with an interest in lighter vocal fare.

© Robert Cummings, Rovi