Soviet composer (1906–1975) whose 15 symphonies occupy a place of central performance in the orchestral literature of the twentieth century. TLS in Russian, signed “D. Shostakovich,” one page, 5.5 x 8, December 9, 1963. Letter to Professor Merka. In part (translated): “My opera Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk was performed in Chechoslovakia in the 1930’s…I also wrote the opera The Nose…I did a revision of ‘Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk’ (’Katerina Ismailova’) and it is now being performed in Moscow, Riga, Kiev, and London.” Some light creasing and wrinkling and a blue ink notation to left edge, otherwise fine condition. Lady Macbeth tells the story of a lonely woman in 19th century Russia, who falls in love with one of her husband's workers and is driven to murder. This opera was the main vehicle for a general denunciation of Shostakovich's music by the Communist Party in early 1936. RRAuction COA.
