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Dmitri Shostakovich: Composing and Cultural Rebellion
Voiceover
Presenter(s)
Noah Kilgus
Abstract or Description
Dmitri Shostakovich and his compositions in the 20th century have been studies through many cultural and political lenses, and this poster seeks to contribute an analysis of his interactions with the Soviet Union and dictator Joseph Stalin. Throughout the 1930s and 40s, Stalin and the Communist Party strictly regulated any and all Soviet media, forcing Shostakovich to either comply with their nationalist policies to remain in good favor or undermining them to maintain his musical, moral, and political integrity. Through contextual analyzes of his symphonies, string quartets, and other musical works and the critical reception by Stalin’s leadership to them, this poster will determine how he musically expressed his political opinions and arguments and to what extent he succeeded in both maintaining a loyal reputation in the eyes of the Communist Party and his personal integrity in rebellion.
Comments
Spencer McNeill4 years ago
Noah, love the graphics and musical excerpts included in your voiceover! My research also touches on the oppressive Soviet Union but on a totally different angle in the decades preceding this so it was really, really cool to see your research on this topic as well. Do you think Dimitri's background performing silent film music gave him an edge when planning these subtle digs against Stalin and the Soviet Union as a whole?
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Lori Gatz4 years ago
Noah your presentation was very interesting and informative on the oppression that even musicians faced in Soviet Russia. Do you think that because of this oppression from the government Dimitri Shostakovich actually benefited musically in his development as a composer?
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