Dmitri Shostakovich had a huge impact on 20th-century classical music.
Shaped by the political turmoil of Soviet Russia, Shostakovich's music, from symphonies to film scores, reflects his ability to balance Soviet expectations with his own personal feelings and responses to the chaotic times he lived through.
Known for emotional depth, irony, and inventive orchestration, Shostakovich’s work remains one of classical music's most intriguing and rewarding. Here are 20 fascinating facts about this complex and celebrated composer.
Shostakovich facts
1. He was a child prodigy
Like other composers we could mention (Mozart, Schubert and Mendelssohn all spring most immediately to mind), the young Dmitri Shostakovich showed musical talent from a very early age and was definitely one of classical music's greatest prodigies. He composed his first pieces at around the age of nine, and he was admitted to the Petrograd (later Leningrad) Conservatory at just 13.
He wrote this lovely piece at around 13 or 14:
2. He was a prolific film composer
Did you know that Shostakovich composed scores for more than 30 films? Among these, the most famous is probably his score for the 1955 Soviet historical action film The Gadfly, which includes the memorable Romance used in countless productions.
3. He walked a political tightrope
Shostakovich’s relationship with Stalin’s regime was complex, balancing artistic creativity with political demands. On the surface, he appeared to conform, producing rousing, accessible music that met the Soviet state’s expectations. However, beneath this compliance, his music often concealed subtle critiques of the regime and his personal dissent.
But Shostakovich’s music often subtly reflected his views on Stalinist oppression. A great example is the Allegro second movement of his Tenth Symphony - a fast, furious piece of music which seems to be a sonic depiction of the tyranny of life under Stalin. Have a listen:
4. He didn't always get this balance right...
Shostakovich’s relationship with the Soviet authorities was turbulent. His opera Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk was initially praised, but in 1936, after Stalin reportedly walked out, it was condemned in Pravda as “muddle instead of music.” Ouch. Though he received Stalin Prizes, he also faced public denunciation and lived in constant fear for his life and freedom.
More fascinating Shostakovich facts
5. ... but he could please everyone when he had to
In response to the harsh criticism over Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, Shostakovich subtitled his next symphony, the landmark Symphony No. 5, 'A Soviet Artist's Reply to Just Criticism'. This was seen as his attempt to appease Soviet officials. It was a success and effectively saved Shostakovich's career.
What's so brilliant about this symphony is that, while the authorities were able to hear in it the rousing, patriotic qualities they demanded, it's clear to all other ears that it's a great and powerful work, full of solemnity and tragedy. It takes a special sort of genius to walk this tightrope!
6. He loved secret codes
Shostakovich skillfully hid his true feelings behind Soviet-approved music, embedding subtle critiques of the regime in his works. His music often carried secret messages, expressing personal dissent while outwardly conforming. For example, his famous Symphony No. 7 'Leningrad' is not only a defiant cry against the German siege but also interpreted by some as a veiled criticism of Stalin’s oppressive regime.
7. He gave us one of music's most powerful moments
Shostakovich’s Leningrad Symphony premiered on 9 August 1942, during the Nazi siege of Leningrad. Composed while the city endured starvation, bombings, and destruction, the symphony embodies both the horrors of the invasion and the resilience of Leningrad’s people.
The performance, broadcast to both citizens and German troops, became a powerful act of defiance. The symphony’s international success helped rally global support for the Soviet cause, with Shostakovich even gracing the cover of Time magazine as a symbol of Soviet endurance.
8. He was a true humanitarian
Several of Shostakovich's works vividly, poignantly depict the suffering of his fellow humans. As well as the Seventh Symphony mentioned above, there is the Symphony No. 13, based on the poem Babi Yar by Yevgeny Yevtushenko, which addresses the massacre of Jews in World War II. This was another work that landed Shostakovich in trouble with the Soviet authorities.
Shostakovich facts: football and politics
9. He loved his football
A life spent in constant fear of angering a tyrannical regime is going to need some respite and light relief, and one of Shostakovich's favourite ways to leave behind his cares was through football. Yes, Shostakovich loved his football. Playing it (as an amateur) and, more importantly, watching it - he was a dedicated fan of his local team, Zenit Leningrad (now Zenit St Petersburg).
10. He had a famous musical 'signature'
You'll hear a certain sequence of notes quite often in Shostakovich's works. He often used the notes D-E flat-C-B (or DSCH in German notation), representing his initials - DSCH, or Dmitri Schostakowitsch. This motif appears frequently throughout his works, such as at the start of the famous String Quartet No. 8.
11. His 'memoirs' are hotly disputed to this day
In 1979, musicologist Solomon Volkov published Testimony, claiming it to be Shostakovich's memoirs. The book portrays Shostakovich as a secret dissident opposed to Stalinism, reflecting regret for his public compliance with the Soviet regime. While some contemporaries and family members support its accuracy, others dispute its authenticity, suggesting Volkov may have embellished or fabricated parts of the text.
12. We still don't really understand his politics
Shostakovich's relationship with the Communist regime was complex. He joined the Party in 1960, possibly under duress, claiming it was necessary to protect his family and career. Publicly, he complied with Soviet cultural demands for socialist realism, but privately, he was highly critical of Stalinist repression, censorship, and the Great Terror. Shostakovich lived through the purges, witnessing the imprisonment and execution of many close to him.
13. Whatever his politics, he became an icon - and still is today
Despite his controversies, Shostakovich became a revered figure in Soviet Russia. After his death in 1975, many streets and institutions were named in his memory.
Today, his complex but deeply felt works continue to influence composers worldwide. That unique blend of emotional depth, irony, and technical mastery made Shostakovich one of the 20th century’s most influential composers, not to mention one of the greatest composers of all time.
Pics: Getty Images
