His works were the embodiment of the state’s music and political denouncement. His second opera “Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District” in collaboration with Aleksei Dikij was a phenomenal success with over 100 performances in Moscow and Leningrad.
It was Shostakovich's legendary seventh symphony "Leningrad" that truly stunned the world. On August 9, 1942, "Leningrad" was premiered by Karl Eliasberg, who organized an orchestra out of survivors in the city.
It was an epic psychological warfare as all loudspeakers delivered the symphony throughout the city and the performance was broadcasted live from the city radio hall. The Nazis were left with no choice but to face the music and the news spread all over the world, portraying the failure of Hitler’s invasion of Leningrad.
Shostakovich gained national and international recognition because of his legendary works. He was awarded of the International Peace Prize in 1954 and was also chosen as the People's Artist of the USSR.
Read more of his musical journey at: https://galaxymusicnotes.com/pages/learn-about-the-russian-composer-dmitri-shostakovich-and-his-works-life