Dmitry Shostakovich

Dimitri Shostakovich (1906 - 1975) was the Soviet Union's greatest composer. His first Symphony, made him internationally famous at the age of 20. From early in his creative life Shostakovich composed many film scores, an avenue which often assisted his rehabilitation when his concert works fell foul of the authorities. Following Stalin's objections to Shostakovich's Opera 'Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk' in 1936, the composer was subjected to regular criticism by the authorities who seemed at pains to control their prized composer. Shostakovich learned to mask or encode private feelings and public tragedy in works such as the 5th Symphony. Shostakovich's symphonies are central to his creative output, but following the infamous 'Zhdanov Letter' (1948) he regularly turned to the string quartet producing fifteen outstanding examples by the time of his death. Shostakovich's musical signature, the notes DSCH (in German notation) appear in many works including the Eighth Quartet and Violin Concerto No.1.

Key Works: Symphonies 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, Piano Concerto No.1,Cello Concerto no.1, Violin Concerto no.1, String Quartets 1-15, Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk,

Key Artists: Mstislav Rostropovich, Galina Vishnevskaya, David Oistrakh, Borodin Quartet, Kiril Kondrashin, Tatiana Nikolayeva

Influenced by: Mussorgsky, Mahler, Stravinsky
Influenced : Shchedrin, Schnittke , Kalevi Aho, Vagn Holmboe, Boris Tischenko