Modern · 1900–2000

Dmitri Shostakovich

“Music's Great Survivor”

⭐ Born 1906, St Petersburg, Russia🕯️ Died 1975, Moscow, Russia⏳ Lived 69 years

The Soviet genius who composed under the shadow of a dictator — hiding defiance, sorrow and dark jokes inside his thunderous symphonies.

The Modern era (1900–2000): Rules are broken — new scales, wild rhythms and sounds nobody had ever imagined.

He worked under the dictator Stalin, who could raise up or destroy an artist with a word — Shostakovich is said to have kept a packed suitcase by the door in case of arrest.
In 1936 a newspaper article (probably ordered by Stalin) savaged his opera, and overnight he went from celebrated to endangered.
His Fifth Symphony was accepted as an 'apology' to the state — yet many listeners hear defiance and bitter irony beneath its triumphant ending.
His Seventh 'Leningrad' Symphony became a worldwide symbol of resistance when it was played inside the starving, besieged city during the war.
He signed several works secretly with his own musical initials — the notes D–S–C–H — like a hidden signature.
He loved football, supported his local team fiercely, and even qualified as a referee.

Symphony No. 5 1937 Symphony

Written to win back the state's approval — but beneath its blazing, triumphant finale many hear a forced, defiant smile.

Symphony No. 7 'Leningrad' 1941 Symphony

Composed as bombs fell on his city — its grinding 'invasion' march made it a global symbol of resistance in the Second World War.

The Second Waltz 1956 Orchestral

A swirling, slightly sad waltz that has become one of the most popular tunes of the 20th century — impossible not to sway to.

1906Born in St Petersburg, Russia.

1917The Russian Revolution overturns the old order.

1926His First Symphony, written at nineteen, makes him famous.

1936Denounced in the Soviet press; his life becomes dangerous.

1937The Fifth Symphony restores his standing with the state.

1941Writes the 'Leningrad' Symphony as the city is besieged.

1941The siege of Leningrad begins during the Second World War.

1953The dictator Stalin dies.

1969The first humans land on the Moon.

1975Dies in Moscow, the great survivor of Soviet music.