- published: 31 Jan 2009
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Dmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich Russian pronunciation: [ˈdmʲitrʲɪj ˈdmʲitrʲɪɪvʲɪt͡ɕ ʂəstɐˈkovʲɪt͡ɕ] (Russian: Дмитрий Дмитриевич Шостакович; 25 September 1906 – 9 August 1975) was a Soviet Russian composer and pianist and was one of the most celebrated composers of the 20th century.
Shostakovich achieved fame in the Soviet Union under the patronage of Leon Trotsky's chief of staff Mikhail Tukhachevsky, but later had a complex and difficult relationship with the government. Nevertheless, he received accolades and state awards and served in the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR (1947–1962) and the USSR (from 1962 until death).
After a period influenced by Sergei Prokofiev and Igor Stravinsky, Shostakovich developed a hybrid style, as exemplified by Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District (1934). This single work juxtaposed a wide variety of trends, including the neo-classical style (showing the influence of Stravinsky) and post-Romanticism (after Gustav Mahler). Sharp contrasts and elements of the grotesque characterize much of his music.
Actors: Sergey Makovetskiy (actor), Miklós Székely B. (actor), Mari Töröcsik (actress), Serge Lalou (producer), Kaljo Kiisk (actor), Edgardo Cozarinsky (director), Edgardo Cozarinsky (writer), Tõnu Kark (actor), Sándor Zsótér (actor), Sulev Luik (actor), Martine Bouquin (editor), Dainius Kazlauskas (actor), Katariina Unt (actress), Epp Eespäev (actress), Tarmo Männard (actor),
Plot: 1938: Shostakovich encourages his pupil Fleischmann to write an opera based on the Chekhov story 'Rothschild's violin'. Fleischmann is killed during the siege of Leningrad. Shostakovich completes the orchestration, but in 1948 is advised to suppress the opera, during Stalin's campaign against "rootless cosmopolitans". Jewish motifs enter Shostakovich's own work. The film includes a filmed version of the opera itself.
Keywords: historical-event, operaActors: Tony Palmer (editor), Tony Palmer (producer), Tony Palmer (writer), Tony Palmer (director), Chris Barrie (actor), Robert Urquhart (actor), John Shrapnel (actor), Vernon Dobtcheff (actor), Murray Melvin (actor), Robert Stephens (actor), Ed Bishop (actor), Ronald Pickup (actor), Ben Kingsley (actor), Terence Rigby (actor), Brook Williams (actor),
Genres: Biography, Drama, History, Music,