The War Symphonies: Shostakovich Against Stalin

00:02:17 Valery Gergiev - Conductor

00:05:29 Call for the priest, maybe death is approaching.

00:08:11 And the whole population was so terrorised

00:12:46 They often declared, "Let' make life better."

00:14:49 The country rises in glory To welcome the day.

00:18:18 a time of terror in our country.

00:21:42 So this couldn't fail to affect Shostakovich' character

00:23:58 who seemed very friendly

00:25:30 "Well, he can't see you today. Go home now, they'll inform you when..."

00:28:23 The whole world is looking on you as a power capable of destroying

00:32:05 And in the evening there were corpses lying there.

00:33:53 All the cats and dogs had already been eaten by November or December.

00:36:25 which depicts the fascist invasion.

00:38:40 But they came.

00:40:12 The spirit is more important than matter.

00:42:34 for the bright future of Mankind.

00:51:22 On the tribune of the Mausoleum are comrade Stalin

00:54:24 It is directed only against evil, only against violence.

00:56:49 but at least he did not support the arrest campaign.

00:59:31 the deputy minister of culture

01:01:30 All musicians perceived the absurdity of this Resolution.

01:03:03 It must be authentic

01:06:15 May I kiss you, comrade Stalin? For everything.

01:11:25 seemingly unbeatable