Dmitri Shostakovich

Dmitri Dmitrievich Shostakovich {{Audio|Ru-Dmitri Dmitrievich Shostakovich.ogg|listen}} (Russian: {{lang|ru|??????? ?????????? ??????????}}, Dmitrij Dmitrievi? ?ostakovi?) (September 12, 1906 (OS)/September 25, 1906 (NS) – August 9, 1975) was a Russian composer of the Soviet period. He had a troubled relationship with the government, which included two official denunciations of his music in 1936 and 1948; in public however he remained loyal, joining the party in 1960 and serving in the Supreme Soviet. Since his death, his response to life in the USSR has been the subject of political and musical controversy, with debate over the extent to which he may have been a secret dissident.

Related Topics:
Russian - September 12 - 1906 - OS - September 25 - NS - August 9 - 1975 - Russia - Composer - Soviet - Supreme Soviet - USSR - Dissident

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After an initial avant-garde period, Shostakovich wrote primarily in the romantic idiom, drawing heavily on the influence of Mahler. However he combined this with atonality and on occasion even tone rows. His music frequently includes sharp contrasts and elements of the grotesque. His greatest works are generally considered to be his cycles of symphonies and string quartets, fifteen of each; other works include operas, six concertos and a large quantity of film music.

Related Topics:
Avant-garde - Romantic - Mahler - Atonality - Tone row - Grotesque - Symphonies - String quartets - Opera - Concerto - Film music

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