We present for your attention two impressive vocal cycles of the second half of the 20th century written at approximately the same time by two great Russian composers, Georgy Sviridov and Boris Tchaikovsky. For all their striking individuality, these authors have very much in common. It is first of all their close ties to the national art, reliance on classical traditions, and creative attitudes that are extremely organic and integral. Both Sviridov and Tchaikovsky combine Innovations and originality with refined, perfected simplicity as a result of careful selection of their tools of expression. They both composed as if ignoring fashionable trends in music; they listened to their own tuning fork. And both addressed in their work the deepest and most difficult experiences that Russia had to face in the twentieth century.