Dmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich

A Russian composer of the Soviet period and one of the most celebrated composers of the 20th century. Shostakovich achieved fame in the Soviet Union under the patronage of Leon Trotsky's chief of staff Mikhail Tukhachevsky, but later had a complex and difficult relationship with the Stalinist bureaucracy. His music was officially denounced twice, in 1936 and 1948, and was periodically banned. Yet he also received accolades and state awards and served in the Supreme Soviet of the Russian SFSR.

Despite the official controversy, his works were popular and well received. Some of his best works include his "Symphony No. 1 in F minor", "Symphony No. 5 in D minor", "Symphony No. 7 in C major, 'Leningrad' ", "String Quartet No. 8 in C minor", "Cello Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major", "Piano Concerto No. 2 in F major", "Piano Trio No. 2 in E minor" and the opera "Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk".