September 25, 1906

Dmitri Shostakovich (September 25, 1906 to August 9,1975) was a Russian composer . In harrowing political times he did survive with some artistic viability. This site has a picture of the young (1925) musician with his cat named Lady Catbeth of Mtsensk. (He had composed an opera titled Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk.)







Here is an interesting discussion of the relations between the Soviet authorities and this artist; I am not sure how accurate it is. My suspicion is that someone who has not undergone that kind of suffering may have little insight. What is not in doubt is the astonishing genius of the music of Dmitri Shostakovich.