Dmitry Shostakovich - S3.E1

What is Shostakovich? Is it possible to understand, to grasp, to describe and explain? The West was deeply shocked at the time, not believing that such a composer was possible in such a Soviet Union. His symphonies have been recognized all over the world. In 1948, Zhdanov named Shostakovich among the main figures of the "formalist movement". This did not prevent the authorities, both before and after that, from declaring Shostakovich the winner of Stalin's and then State Prizes: until 1953, Shostakovich received the Stalin prize five times and almost won the competition for the USSR anthem...