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The War Symphonies: Shostakovich Against Stalin (1997)

77 min  -  Documentary | Biography | Music
6.7
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Documentary on how composer Dmitri Shostakovich used his Fourth to Ninth Symphony as a silent protest against the crimes of Stalin.

Director:

Larry Weinstein
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Valery Gergiev Valery Gergiev ...
Himself - Conductor "Symphonies Nos. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9" and "Lady MacBeth of Mtsensk District" / Interviewee / Pianist "Rayok"
Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Netherlands Radio Philharmonic ...
Themselves - Orchestra "Symphonies Nos. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9"
Flora Litvinova Flora Litvinova ...
Herself - Friend
Graham Haley Graham Haley ...
Shostakovich (voice)
Dmitri Shostakovich Dmitri Shostakovich ...
Himself (archive footage)
Dmitri Tolstoy Dmitri Tolstoy ...
Himself - Composer
Joseph Stalin Joseph Stalin ...
Himself (archive footage)
Bulat Minzhilkiev Bulat Minzhilkiev ...
Boris - Opera "Lady MacBeth of Mtsensk District" / Himself - Baritone "Rayok"
Irina Loskutova Irina Loskutova ...
Katerina - Opera "Lady MacBeth of Mtsensk District"
The Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre The Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre ...
Themselves - Orchestra (Opera "Lady MacBeth of Mtsensk District")
Karen Khachaturyan Karen Khachaturyan ...
Himself - Composer (as Karen Khachaturian)
Abram Gozenpud Abram Gozenpud ...
Himself - Musicologist
Mariana Sabinina Mariana Sabinina ...
Herself - Musicologist
Mariya Konniskaya Mariya Konniskaya ...
Herself - Friend
Natan Perelman Natan Perelman ...
Himself - Friend
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Storyline

During the Interwar period and World War Two, Joseph Stalin dictated Russia in a bloody manner. Composer Dmitri Shostakovich couldn't agree at all with the policies that the tyrant used, but speaking out loud was impossible. It would have cost him his life. Shostakovich found another way: art. This documentary shows how Shostakovich used his Fourth to Ninth Symphony as a silent protest against the crimes of Stalin. Written by Arnoud Tiele (imdb@tiele.nl)  

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Plot Keywords:

Symphony | Composer | World War Two | Russia | Censorship  | See more »

Genres:

Documentary | Biography | Music

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Details

Country:

Canada | Germany | Netherlands

Language:

Russian | English

Company Credits

Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »
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Did You Know?

Crazy Credits

Dedicated to the memory of 'Veniamin Basner' who passed away during
the making of this film. See more »

Connections

Features Padeniye Berlina (2-r seria) (1950) See more »

Soundtracks

"Symphony No. 4"
Performed by Netherlands Radio Philharmonic
Conductor: Valery Gergiev See more »