Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich was born one hundred years ago today. This year's Proms featured many of his works, and there have been special festivals in London and Austin, among others.
Tyler Cowen of Marginal Revolution has an appreciation: As of tomorrow, Shostakovich was born 100 years ago. "He has a higher variance of quality than almost any other major composer".
Perhaps so. Or maybe just a wider range of interpretations (both musical and political)?
UPDATE: Doug Merrill at afoe alerts me to a recent FT appreciation by Nigel Andrews: Dear Dmitri Shostakovich...
"This year's Proms featured many of his works"
Yes and I was able to enjoy this courtesy of Spanish national radio. I was absolutely overwhelmed by the 5th symphony.
Posted by: Edward Hugh | Wednesday, September 27, 2006 at 06:14 AM