Dmitri Shostakovich

25 September 1906 – 9 August 1975

Dmitri Shostakovich was a Soviet-Russian composer and pianist regarded as one of the major composers of the 20th century. His career unfolded under the pressures of the Soviet regime, and he is celebrated for his fifteen symphonies and fifteen string quartets.

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Life events

Born in Saint Petersburg, Russia
25 September 1906

Dmitri Shostakovich was born in Saint Petersburg, in the Russian Empire.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Studied at the Petrograd Conservatory
1919 – 1925

He studied piano and composition at the Petrograd (Leningrad) Conservatory.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Premiere of First Symphony
12 May 1926

His First Symphony, written as a graduation piece, brought him early international recognition.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Denounced in Pravda
1936

His opera Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District was condemned in a Pravda editorial, placing him under Soviet censure.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Premiere of Fifth Symphony
21 November 1937

His Fifth Symphony premiered in Leningrad and was received as his response to official criticism.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Premiere of Seventh Symphony (Leningrad)
5 March 1942

His Seventh Symphony, associated with the wartime Siege of Leningrad, became a symbol of resistance.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Denounced in the Zhdanov Decree
1948

Shostakovich was again officially denounced, this time in the 1948 Zhdanov Decree on formalism.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Joined the Communist Party
1960

He joined the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, a decision seen as made under pressure.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died in Moscow, Soviet Union
9 August 1975

Shostakovich died of lung cancer in Moscow at the age of 68.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓