In the early 20th century, Communism rose to power in the USSR. This new political system placed many severe restrictions on artists. Musicians were the first of many to be effected. Dmitri Dmitrievich Shostakovich was one of these musicians. As a very prolific composer, the vast majority of what Shostakovich composed was influenced by the Soviet system. In the following pages, the influence of the Soviet government will be discussed through a brief outline of Shostakovich's life, then some of his most important works, and finally a brief objective look at what has brought the Shostakovich controversy to where it is today.

Born in 1906, Dmitri Shostakovich began receiving piano lessons from his mother at a very young age. In 1919 he went off to study at St. Petersburg Conservatory. He graduated in 1923 with a degree in piano and then in 1925 with a degree in composition (Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia).

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