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Symphony for the City of the Dead
464 pages, 2017
In September of 1941, Nazi troops surrounded Leningrad, a Russian city known as Saint Petersburg. Adolf Hitler’s armada was one of the longest and most destructive sieges in Western history—almost three years of bombings and starvation. In the end, more than a million people died. Survivors recall corpses littering their frozen streets, their relatives having neither the means nor the strength to bury them. Residents burned books, furniture, and floorboards to keep warm; they ate family pets—eventually—and even other humans to stay alive. Trapped between the Nazi invading forces and the Soviet government itself was composer Dmitri Shostakovich, who would write a symphony that roused, rallied, eulogized, and commemorated his fellow citizens.
In Symphony for the City of the Dead, M.T. Anderson shows us how music can be a powerful tool for communication and resistance. The book tells the story of composer Dmitri Shostakovich, who used his music to express the suffering and resilience of his city during the Siege of Leningrad. It's a reminder of how art can be a beacon of hope in the darkest times.
Anderson doesn't shy away from the brutal realities of war. He paints a vivid picture of the Siege of Leningrad, where millions of people were trapped and starved. It's a stark reminder of the devastating impact of war on ordinary people, and the lengths they will go to survive.
One of the key takeaways from Symphony for the City of the Dead is the exploration of human nature. Anderson presents Shostakovich as a complex character, torn between his loyalty to his country and his fear of the oppressive Soviet regime. It's a fascinating look into the human capacity for courage and compromise in the face of adversity.
The book also explores the relationship between politics and art. Shostakovich's music was heavily influenced by the political climate of his time, and he often had to navigate the fine line between expressing his truth and avoiding the wrath of the government. It's a thought-provoking look into the challenges faced by artists in oppressive regimes.
Finally, Symphony for the City of the Dead emphasizes the importance of understanding historical context. Anderson provides a detailed account of the political and social conditions in Soviet Russia, helping us to better understand Shostakovich's life and work. It's a reminder of how history shapes our present and future.
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