Musicology Annotation << Back Unknown D.B. Kabalevskiy in Letters to a Friend or «Sad Creative Confession». Essay I Elena V. Bezbakh This article describes the previously unexplored documentary evidence from the Russian archives of the domestic household composer of the 20th century, D.B. Kabalevsky. All materials courtesy of the daughter of the composer, Maria Dmitrievna Kabalevskaya – the main keeper of the epistolary heritage and his father’s diary. Survived to our days a large number of diaries and letters of Dmitry Borisovich. The author of this article therefore conceived a series of essays, which will highlight the new facts from life and creativity of composer, and identify unknown personality traits of Dmitry Borisovich, long hidden from the others. Basis I essay was a letter written by D.B. Kabalevsky his closest childhood friend, J.E. Shenger, February 15, 1943. The article deals with the history of dating Kabalevsky with Shenger, and describes their close and friendly relationship, which lasted more than half a century. In addition, the article tells us about the nature of the correspondence of Dmitry Borisovich with Shenger, which basically contains information on creative ideas of the composer, his professional affairs and interests. Letter dated February 15, 1943 reveals the key points in the life of D.B. Kabalevsky, at that time named the author of the message of “three blows of fate”. This information has not previously studied and documented in the literature. They allow you to recreate the true portrait of a leading national composer of the 20th century, D.B. Kabalevsky. Keywords: D.B. Kabalevskiy, J.E. Shenger, epistolary heritage, patriotism, traditions, Russian culture of the 20th century, the Opera “In the fi re” (“Moscow”), “Folk avengers Suite”, Symphony No. 2, Arturo Toscanini. Contacts: E-mail: elena.pitcko@yandex.ru Pp. 16-21.