DMITRI DMITRIEVICH SHOSTAKOVICH:

Enemy and Saviour of St. Petersburg

"In recent years, I've become convinced that the word is more
effective than music. Unfortunately, it is so. When I combine
music with words, it becomes harder to misinterpret my intent."

So spoke Dmitri Dmitrievich Shostakovich, a major Russian composer of the twentieth century. His music has had a profound effect in both the Russian and world community, but was often misinterpreted by the music world. Dmitri Shostakovich suffered under the Stalinist regime, but he continued to compose music that inspired beyond the Iron Curtain.

A brief chronology of his life
For more detailed information, click on the links below:
Dmitri Shostakovich's early life (his First through Fourth Symphonies), click here .
His middle life, including the Fifth through the Ninth Symphonies, click here.
To learn about his later life and his Tenth through his Fifteenth Symphonies, click here .
Analysis and Sound Files on His Seventh Symphony, the most controversial of his pieces.
Sound files from some of his other pieces:

The First Symphony (First Movement)

The Fifth Symphony (Fourth Movement)

String Quartet 3 (First Movement)

String Quartet 8 (Third Movement)

A list of sources used

Course Homepage : "St. Petersburg: Mystery. Miracle. Authority!"
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last updated: 30 April 2002