Shostakovich Dmitri
Dmitri Shostakovich Recommends Jewish Violinist in Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra


1p Russian language document signed and dated by Russian composer Dmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich (1906-1975) in blue ink as "D. Shostakovich, 2 March 1968" at lower left. Also signed in print at lower right. On thick cream paper with light carbon residue. Expected paper folds. A minor isolated stain at center right, else very good to near fine. 7.5" x 10.625". Should yield fascinating discoveries when fully translated!


Dmitri Shostakovich, one of the Soviet Union's most acclaimed modern composers, drafted and signed this recommendation letter for Ilya Abramovich Shpilberg, a violinist with the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra. In it, Shostakovich recognized Shpilberg's musical ability, and the leadership role he played in the ensemble.


Shpilberg was evidently interested in advancing his career at this time, for he also sought and obtained a similar recommendation letter from Shostakovich's friend and colleague, Armenian composer Aram Illyich Khachaturyan (1903-1978), in January 1969. In that letter offered by Bonham's in December 2012, the violinist was lobbying for a promotion to assistant professor.


Shostakovich's influence in the world of Soviet music was considerable, and he had a longtime working relationship with the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra. That ensemble, established in 1882, is Russia's oldest symphony orchestra. Now called the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra, it premiered 7 of Shostakovich's 15 symphonies.


In March 1968, Shostakovich was perhaps working on his Fourteenth Symphony, Opus 135, which would be completed the following year. Written for voice and a small orchestra, the piece explored the theme of death, and was devoted to British composer Benjamin Britten (1913-1976).


Dmitri Shostakovich had shown considerable musical ability as a child, and after an intense education, soon became one of Russia's leading composers. He was musically inspired by Igor Stravinsky, Gustav Mahler, and other contemporaries, and explored folk music and Jewish themes. Although ultimately Shostakovich was recognized by the Soviet Union as one of its most significant composers, Shostakovich had had a tense relationship with various party leaders, policies, and ideologies throughout his lifetime. His musical approach and output led to at least two official denunciations, and a genuine fear of reprisal that could have included arrest, deportation to a work camp, or execution. Historians today advance the theory that Shostakovich acted as a "secret dissident," implicitly criticizing Stalin and the Soviet Union through messages encoded in his music.

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