Dmitri Shostakovich

Although Shostakovich was the most popular Soviet composer of his generation, he was denounced several times by the authorities and had his work banned during his lifetime. He used traditional forms in his music, which is accessibly tonal, yet distinctly 20th century. His response to life in the USSR has been the subject of much political and musical debate. What was Stalin’s opinion of Shostakovich’s compositions?

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Dmitri Shostakovich