Following the victory of Spain’s Nationalist party in the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) and the rule of fascist Franciso Franco, the orphans of the dead Republican fighters were sent out of the country. The USSR, a support of the Republican

Dmitri Shostakovich was born in 1906 in St. Petersburg, Russia. He was an extraordinary talent who spent his entire creative life interacting with the Soviet regime, and his dark soulful works are favorites in the classical music world. Here are

The prolific and iconic composer Dmitri Shostakovich was profoundly influenced by the politics of his native country. Despite the Cold War, Soviet ideology, and the restrictions in Russia, he wrote fifteen amazing string quartets full of innovation and exceptional artistry.

Written in a rush for a celebratory concert, Shostakovich’s Festive Overture is a joyous bubble starting with a brilliant fanfare. Written for a concert in Moscow at the Bolshoi Theatre celebrating the 37th anniversary of the October 1917 Revolution, this

Born in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on 25 September 1906, Dmitry Shostakovich was the second of three children of Dmitri Boleslavovich Shostakovich and Sofiya Vasilievna Kokoulina. His father was studying physics and mathematics at St Petersburg University, and subsequently worked as

In his memoirs—supposedly related to Solomon Volkov—Dmitri Shostakovich suggests, “Fear of death may be the most intense emotion of all. I sometimes think that there is no deeper feeling. The irony lies in the fact that under the influence of

Jazz Suite no.1 III. Foxtrot (Blues) From SHOSTAKOVICH, D.: Jazz Suites Nos. 1 and 2 / The Bolt Suite / Tahiti Trot (2002) Released by Naxos Shostakovich: Jazz Suite no.1 – III. Foxtrot (Blues)Shostakovich was most definitely a light-and-shade composer.

Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 35 II. Lento From SHOSTAKOVICH, D.: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 and 2 / String Quartet No. 8 (arr. for piano) (2017) Released by Naxos Shostakovich: Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Minor,