The “Rethought” Shostakovich, in the Musical Research from the 80s of the 20th Century, Until the Present Cover Image

„Преосмисленият“ Шостакович в музикалните изследвания от 80-те години на XX в. до днес
The “Rethought” Shostakovich, in the Musical Research from the 80s of the 20th Century, Until the Present

Author(s): Boryana Mangova
Subject(s): History, Fine Arts / Performing Arts, Cultural history, Music
Published by: Издателство НМА „Проф. Панчо Владигеров”
Keywords: Formalism; The Antiformalist Peepshow; Zhdanov; Zdhanovshchina; Muddle Instead of Music

Summary/Abstract: Soviet Stalinist propaganda elevates Shostakovich’s person and art as being an emblem of flourishing socialist culture. The ambivalence of his behavior and music compositions – a reflexion of complex life circumstances, creates a controversial approach towards the composer in Russia and in the world. Is he a victim, or a devoted servant of Stalin’s regime – this is the question undertaken by the author of the present presentation. Argumentation stems from Shostakovich research in the world from the last decades of the 20th and the beginning of the 21st centuries. A certain process has been noted of liberation from ideological emphasis, and a thorough research of a musical legacy that has a substantial musical and humanist value.