Dmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich

A Russian composer of the Soviet period and one of the most celebrated composers of the 20th century. Shostakovich achieved fame in the Soviet Union under the patronage of Leon Trotskys chief of staff Mikhail Tukhachevsky but later had a complex and difficult relationship with the Stalinist bureaucracy. His music was officially denounced twice in 1936 and 1948 and was periodically banned. Yet he also received accolades and state awards and served in the Supreme Soviet of the Russian SFSR. Despite the official controversy his works were popular and well received. Some of his best works include his Symphony No. 1 in F minor Symphony No. 5 in D minor Symphony No. 7 in C major Leningrad String Quartet No. 8 in C minor Cello Concerto No. 1 in Eflat major Piano Concerto No. 2 in F major Piano Trio No. 2 in E minor and the opera Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk.