The Question of Artistic Integrity and Freedom: Shostakovich against Totalitarianism
ABSTRACT
Two irreconcilable images of composer Dmitrii Shostakovich have emerged--one of an official state bard, and the other of a genius following the rules of the game on the surface, but expressing his true feelings through his majestic, somber, grotesque music. Was Shostakovich a willing supporter of the Soviet regime whose music buttressed socialist realism, or was he a survivor who managed to create profound music in the stifling totalitarian state?
READING LIST
Conference Readings
Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk District. Directed by James Conlon. Arthaus Musik, 2008. DVD.
“Keeping Score: Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5.” pbs.org. http://www.pbs.org/keepingscore/shostakovich-symphony-5.html (May 1, 2018).
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 7 - Leningrad. Directed by Dmitri Shostakovich (Composer), Valery Gergiev (Conductor), Mariinsky Orchestra (Orchestra). Mariinsky, 2018. CD.
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 13- Babi Yar. Directed by Marius Rintzler (Artist), Dmitri Shostakovich (Composer), Bernard Haitink (Conductor), Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (Orchestra), Royal Concertgebouw Men’s Chorus (Performer). Decca, 2000. CD.
Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos.4, 5 & 6. Directed by Mariinsky Orchestra (Artist, Orchestra), Valery Gergiev (Artist, Conductor), Dmitri Shostakovich (Composer) . Mariinsky, 2018. CD.
Anonymous (Joseph Stalin). “Muddle instead of Music.” Pravda (January 28, 1936): 1-2.
Barnes, Julian. The Noise of Time. New York: Vintage International, 2017.
Volkov, Solomon. Shostakovich and Stalin. New York: Random House, Inc., 2004.
Wilson, Elizabeth. Shostakovich: A Life Remembered. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1995.