Hope, Belief and Victory behind Shostakovich’s Symphony No 7

Shostakovich’s Seventh Symphony is an extraordinary music creation reflecting both the heroism of the people living in a war-torn country and their undeniable desire for victory. It’s a unique example of a synchronised, instant creative reaction to events as they are being lived through. The perfect embodiment of the genre, the symphony’s every sound is storyline telling us about those dramatic times. It was an inspiration not only to the besieged city of Leningrad, but to the whole country fearlessly fighting against the Nazis invasion. The Seventh’s story with its tremendous music effect is one of the most astonishing in the history of music. The ‘Leningrad’ (as first called by the great Russian poetess Anna Akhmatova)Symphony was interpreted by listeners all over the world as proof that the Nazis would not, could not, win in Russia.

Shostakovich met the beginning of the war in Leningrad where in July of 1941 he sat down to work. “I have never been composing as quickly as now”, remembered the author. Before his evacuation in October of 1941 Shostakovich finalised the first three parts of the symphony. It’s worth noting that while he second part was getting ready, the Nazis blockade around the city had locked. He composed the finale of the Seventh in December in Kuibyshev where the piece was premiered on March 5, 1942 by the Bolshoi Theater Band led by Samuil Samosud. Hence, the symphony embarked on a tour around the wartorn world, being performed in Great Britain (June) and US (July) as well as broadcast to millions of allied households.

But none of the performances neither inside the country nor abroad was par to the Leningrad premier. It’s one of these stories that get surrounded by details, and that will be remembered and spoken about for all times.

In February of 1942 the Izvestia newspaper cited Shostakovich “I wish my symphony was soon performed in Leningrad, the city where I was born and that was my inspiration”. So it happened. The Seventh ‘Leningrad’ Symphony was premiered on August 9, 1942, the day of the likely fall of the city envisaged by Hitler. The piece was broadcasted to every household. It’s overwhelmingly intense sounds flew over the streets of the war-wearied Leningrad. Standing on the city threshold, the Nazis were dumped by this true act of bravery showing individual courage and collective resistance.

Shostakovich had intended the piece to be performed by a large symphonic orchestra, but because of the siege majority of the musicians were evacuated from the city, and there were certain difficulties in assembling a full band. But at the end of the day everything worked out. The Leningrad première was performed by the surviving musicians of the Leningrad Radio Orchestra (present Saint Petersburg Academic Symphony Orchestra), supplemented with military performers. Most of the musicians were suffering from starvation, which made rehearsing difficult. The orchestra was able to play the symphony all the way through only once before the concert. On the lead was Karl Eliasberg, prominent Soviet conductor of the German descent.

The concert took place onstage of the Grand Hall of the Philharmonia, scoring full house. Following the reminisces of Ksenia Matus, “Right before the concert… the projectors were put above the stage to warm it up a little. When we walked out on the stage, the projectors were switched off. At the sight of Karl Ilitch (Eliasberg) the audience burst with standing applause….When the music went off there was another round of ovations… Suddenly a little girl appeared in front of the stage carrying a small bunch of real flowers. It was amazing!.. Behind the stage everybody rushed to congratulate and hug each other. We had just worked out a miracle, taking the life back to light out of despair and grief.” In August of 1942 the band performed the symphony six times, four of which onstage of the Gran Hall of the Philharmonia.

“This day has lingered in my heart forever and I will never forget you endless dedication, bravery and extraordinary skills”, wrote Dmitri Shostakovich thirty years later, honouring the 30th anniversary of the Leningrad premier. But in 1942 in his letter to Eliasberg he was less expressive “Dear friend. Thank you very much. Convey my thanks to all the musicians. Wish everyone health and happiness. Best regards, Shostakovich”.

It’s worth knowing:

• The day for the symphony premier wasn’t random, as it coincided the August 9, 1942, the day of the likely fall of Leningrad envisaged by Hitler. The Nazis knew about the premier, and, as there was no way stopping it, became the unwilling listeners.

• After the war one of the German soldiers admitted ‘It was on the same day when the symphony premiered that we realised thar we would lose not only the battle but the whole war. It was then we felt all the might and bravery of the Soviet people that could overcome anything’.

• The ‘Leningrad’ Symphony became popular in both the Soviet Union and the West as a symbol of resistance to fascism, thanks in part to the composer’s microfilming of the score in Samara and its clandestine delivery, via Tehran and Cairo, to New York.

• Time magazine placed Shostakovich on its cover. According to the correspondent, the piece was filled with eccentric nervousness and vibrant expressiveness. It was ought to be performed in London and all over the world.

• After the Act of Capitulation was signed one of the European newspapers wrote: “Have there ever been a chance to win over the country that in the times of such atrocities, violent battles and blockades, death and destruction managed to create and performed this true masterpiece. My answer is ‘no’. It’s a unique act of bravery”.

Sources: Shostakovich St. Petersburg Academic Philharmonia website, Bezhetsk central district library website, Soundtimes.ru.