Dmitri Shostakovich

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St Petersburg, Russia (1906 – 1975)

Dmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich (Russian: Дмитрий Дмитриевич Шостакович) (September 25 [O.S. September 12] 1906, (St Petersburg, Russia) – August 9, 1975) was a Russian composer of the Soviet period.

Shostakovich had a complex and difficult relationship with the Soviet government, suffering two official denunciations of his music, in 1936 and 1948, and the periodic banning of his work. At the same time, he received a number of accolades and state awards and served in the Supreme Soviet. Despite the official controversy, his works were popular; he is now held to be, as Grove’s judges him, the most talented Soviet composer of his generation.

After a period influenced by Prokofiev and Stravinsky (Symphony No. 1), Shostakovich switched to modernism (Symphony No. 2 and The Nose) before developing a hybrid of styles with the opera “The Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk “and the ill-fated Fourth Symphony. This hybrid style ranged from the neo-classical (with Stravinskian influences) to the post-romantic music (with Mahlerian influences). His tonality involved much use of modality and some astringent neo-classical harmonies à la Hindemith and Prokofiev. His music frequently includes sharp contrasts and elements of the grotesque.

Shostakovich prided himself on his orchestration, which is clear, economical, and well-projected. This aspect of Shostakovich’s technique owes more to Gustav Mahler than Rimsky-Korsakov. His greatest works are generally considered to be his symphonies and string quartets, fifteen of each. Other works include operas, six concertos, and a substantial quantity of film music.
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  • qixonnaute

    what would happen if in each work a single note at some point in the score was changed, raised a half step or something by a dmitri that maybe got up on the wrong side of the bed that morning. would the world end? would you all die of sadness? would stalin rise from the dead?

    yesterday morning

  • Orenji-kun

    He was a fucking genius.

    Thursday afternoon

  • katewishing

    If you like Symphony No. 4, listen to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeeaiEdCkqc&t=3m0s

    last week

  • mauromazzo

    Respect.

    23 days ago

  • karolina500

    ♥

    24 days ago

  • shitsplat

    Trio No 2 for Violin, Cello and Piano, Op 67: IV. Allegretto is just so infectious. I could hum it for days.

    24 days ago

  • MusicHallofFame

    The Music Hall of Fame are delighted to induct Dmitri Shostakovich into the Class of 1972. Congratulations. Please vist our page too see the latest inductees into the Music Hall of Fame

    last month

  • Alexface21

    Best musical sense of humour. Ever. If you like sarcasm, you'll love Shosty.

    last month
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