"What are they saying about me now?" the bewildered composer seems to think. While he was alive Shostakovich endured humiliation after humiliation for sticking to his own artistic and moral ideals, many of which seem incongruous even to his own colleagues at the time. It is sad that after his death people continue to write silly things about him.

You will read many of such silly things here, and the idea of this website is to provide a resource for those who, like Shostakovich did when the article "Muddle Instead Of Music" was first published, want to know what the press have said about 20th Century's greatest musical genius.

The articles here have largely been contributed by friends and members of the DSCH List. If you have articles not found in this archive do share it with us by sendiing it to:

contact_chloh
@yahoo.com
Main Story
 


A remarkable follow up to the controversial memoirs Testimony, Solomon Volkov has produced a book that provides fresh insight into the artistic world of Stalinist and post-Stalinist Soviet Union. You may choose to stay away from Testimony, but do not make the mistake of turning away from this one.

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Unauthorized - Alex Ross
Sounds like an American popcorn thriller, and nearly reads the same: "If Shostakovich had known what was going to be printed under his name, he might have hated Volkov with a passion that not even Joseph Stalin inspired in him." Cue thunder and lightning effect.
Wishful Thinking - Paul Mitchinson
"Paradoxically, one possible reason why Shostakovich has assumed such an exalted position among the intelligentsia is because of his cowardice." Peppered with gems such as these Mitchinson brings discussion on Shostakovich back to the Stone Age. Look out for the revival of a quarter-century-old connection between Shostakovich and Disneyland to boot.
Free Shostakovich! - Alex Ross
Ross's blogsite article on why Casebook remains his favourite bedtime reader. Been having trouble sleeping myself, perhaps it's time to order a copy.
The Sound Of Conscience
CH takes an alternative view of Volkov's "Shostakovich and Stalin" in The Edge.
The Fight for Shostakovich
Lebrecht reflects on the auspicious release of Indiana University Press' "Shostakovich Casebook". Love him or hate him, the man makes valid points.
Where Music May Owe Stalin a Little Credit
I vote this "stupid title of the Year". NYT writer Rothstein takes the outdated idea - that Stalin prodded Shostakovich towards a definitive symphonic style - to the apex of absurdity. Try this one for laughs: "[Muddle Instead Of Music] succeeded in shedding unexpected light on an individual work while also making such forceful points.."

Hidden Sympathies
This I have none for the writer. James Loeffler makes fence-sitting an art form and tosses off inaccuracies without a conscience. But hey, isn't that what great journalism is all about, Oy!

His Master's Voice
"Invective is slung, nits are picked, and a certain strain of distinctly academic ferocity is indulged." A sample of the profundity of Washington Post's review of Casebook and Shostakovich & Stalin.
 
Perspectives
    		• The Leningrad That Stalin Destroyed
    or, contemplating the Wooly Mammoth
    		• What Maxim Said
    Does the composer's son remain sceptical of Testimony? You decide.
       

     

     

     

    Links
    		• The DSCH Journal
    Get with the programme - subscribe to the journal and keep up with the latest on DS, including CD and book reviews.
    		• Shostakovich and Numbers
    Ian Strachan's thought-provoking study on the numerical occurences in Shostakovich's music.
    		• Music Under Soviet Rule
    Currently being maintained by friends, Ian MacDonald's website is a must for anyone who is intersted in learning more about the composer.

  • Discussion Forum @ DSCH List
    Meet like minds and rub shoulders with (in)famous lurkers, talk and bitch about everything Shostakovich and generally have a good time.
     
    CH Says

    It would be difficult to listen to the 8th Quartet without remembring the man who helped move Shostakovich studies out of the dark ages.

    But will anyone remember Ian MacDonald in the coming decade?

    Picks


    From Bernstein to Barshai, everyone has his pick. Here are my top choices.

    >> more

    Prize
    Quotes

    "Stalin was undoubtedly a man of good taste"

    - Edward Rothstein, NYT

    *****

    "What did Dmitry Dmitryevich Shostakovich do to deserve such idiotic commentators?"

    - Richard Taruskin, Glasgow Symposium

    *****

     
    		 
    Updated in September 04
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