Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) was a Soviet-era Russian composer and pianist whose international reputation was sealed by the premiere of his First Symphony in 1926, when he was just nineteen. Working under a censorious Soviet regime for virtually his entire career, he produced two landmark cycles - 15 symphonies and 15 string quartets - that stand as some of the most performed orchestral and chamber works of the 20th century. His music navigates between official demands and private anguish with a distinctive voice built on irony, sarcasm, and sudden lyrical depth.
The IX Summer Festival at the New Jerusalem Museum (July 8-12, 2026) is dedicated to the 120th anniversary of Shostakovich, featuring leading Russian orchestras performing his works alongside Mussorgsky, Mahler, and Prokofiev.
The Concertgebouw in Amsterdam presented a multi-part 'Shostakovich 120' series in 2025-26, including the Jerusalem Quartet performing the complete string quartets and the Ferschtman family in chamber music programmes.
The London Symphony Orchestra under Sir Antonio Pappano performed Symphony No. 5 at the Barbican Hall in April 2026.
The New York Philharmonic opened 2026 with Shostakovich's Fourth Symphony conducted by Gianandrea Noseda at David Geffen Hall (January 7-10).
The BBC Philharmonic performed Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District at the Royal Albert Hall in September 2025 as part of the BBC Proms.
