By Barry Lenson
Dmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich was born on September 25, 1906, in Saint Petersburg, Russia. He entered the Saint Petersburg Conservatory at 13, where he studied composition with Alexander Glazunov.
Shostakovich spent his life not only composing music but trying to survive as an artist under Soviet totalitarianism. His First Symphony, composed as his graduation piece from the Saint Petersburg Conservatory in 1925, catapulted him to international fame. The symphony was celebrated for its originality and technical mastery, establishing Shostakovich as a leading figure in Soviet music.
But his success was not long-lived. The 1930s were a tumultuous period for Shostakovich. His opera Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District was condemned by the Soviet newspaper Pravda in 1936, reportedly at Stalin’s behest. This denunciation marked the beginning of ongoing conflict with the Soviet regime. Shostakovich lived in constant fear of arrest and execution during the Great Purge, and many of his works were censored or banned.
Then during World War II, Shostakovich composed his Seventh Symphony, known as the “Leningrad.” Premiered in 1942, it became a symbol of Soviet resistance against Nazi Germany and was performed in besieged Leningrad, boosting the morale of its citizens. Shostakovich’s star was on the rise.
But once again, his success was short. In 1948, he faced another major setback when the Soviet government issued a decree condemning “formalism” in music. Many of his compositions were banned, and he was dismissed from his teaching positions in Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Despite these challenges, he continued to compose, often embedding subtle critiques of the regime within his works.
Shostakovich’s fortunes improved after Stalin’s death in 1953. He was reinstated to his teaching positions and received numerous honors, including the title of People’s Artist of the USSR. The works he composed in his later years, such as the Tenth Symphony and the String Quartets, are among his finest.
Shostakovich died on August 9, 1975, in Moscow. He left behind a vast body of work, including 15 symphonies, 15 string quartets, operas, ballets, and film scores. His music is celebrated for its emotional depth, technical brilliance, and the courage it took to compose it under an oppressive regime.
Shostakovich was surely one of the 20th century’s most significant composers, whose works continue to be performed and admired worldwide.
Selected Works on Classical Archives*
Many works by Dmitri Shostakovich are available for your listening on Classical Archives. Here is a selection . . .
Operas:
Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District (1936) – This harrowing opera tells the story of a young woman in 19th-century Russia who is driven to murder her husband after falling in love with one of his workers.
Symphonies:
Symphony No.7 in C (‘Leningrad’) (1942) – This, the “Leningrad Symphony” remains one of Shostakovich’s most celebrated works. It is not only a testament to his compositional genius but also a poignant reminder of the resilience and courage of the people of Leningrad during the siege, one of the darkest periods of World War II.
Symphony No.13 in Bb- (‘Babi Yar’) (1962) – The symphony was inspired by the poem “Babi Yar” by Yevgeny Yevtushenko, which reflects on the 1941 massacre of nearly 34,000 Jews by the Nazis at Babi Yar, a ravine near Kiev.
Other Orchestral Works:
Festive Overture (1954) – This exuberant overture was commissioned for the Bolshoi Theatre’s celebration of the 37th anniversary of the October Revolution.
Jazz Suite No.1 (1934) and Jazz Suite No.2 (1938) – These lovely works show us that Shostakovich loved American jazz – he wasn’t totally consumed with doom and gloom.
Chamber Works:
String Quartet No.15 in Eb- (1974) – Shostakovich’s final string quartet, his last, offers a deeply personal reflection on mortality.
Dmitri Shostakovich
Choral Works:
The Execution of Stepan Razin (cantata), for bass, mixed chorus, and orchestra (1964) – Not for the squeamish, this cantata is based on the historical figure Stepan Razin, a Cossack leader who led an uprising against the nobility and tsarist bureaucracy in southern Russia during the 17th century. This cantata describes Razin’s capture, trial and brutal public execution.
The Song of the Forests (oratorio), for tenor, basso, mixed and boys’ chorus, and orchestra (1949) – Essentially a piece of propaganda, The Song of the Forests was written at the behest of the Soviet authorities to celebrate the forestation of the Russian steppes. It also represents an attempt by Shostakovich to rehabilitate himself in the eyes of Soviet leaders. Nonetheless, this oratorio is melodic and lovely and shows another side of the composer’s genius.
Film Scores:
The Gadfly (1955) – Shostakovich wrote a number of highly effective film scores. This is the score for the 1955 film The Gadfly, based on a novel about the revolutionary activities of “The Gadfly,” a historical figure named Arthur Burton.
* Please note that in order to listen, you must be a member of Classical Archives. If you are not yet a member, we invite you to join now. Free 14-day trial memberships are now available.
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