About the book, a committee member said, symphony for the city of the dead is a masterwork thrillingly told and impeccably researched. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of symphony for the city of the dead by m. Dmitri shostakovich and the siege of leningrad by m. Themes of espionage, civilian suffering in war, and the power of music in both the individuals and cultural identity. Symphony for the city of the dead audiobook, written by m. Amid hunger and cold, an unforgettable symphony premiere.
Shelf awareness symphony for the city of the dead is an intense historical account that is highly recommended reading for anyone studying world war ii or readers with an interest in history or music. An account of the siege of leningrad reveals the role played by russian composer dmitri shostakovich and his leningrad symphony in rallying and commemorating their fellow citizens. Facebook is showing information to help you better understand the purpose of a page. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. The astonishing life of octavian nothing, a national book award winner set in colonial boston, follows a boy doubly exploited as an. This article was originally published in the october 2015 issue of bookpage. Get 50% off this audiobook at the audiobooksnow online audio book store and download or stream it right to your computer, smartphone or tablet. Symphony for the city of the dead by holly owens on prezi. Symphony for the city of the dead is a wellresearched history and political analysis of the soviet governments impact on the arts centered around dmitri shostakovich and his work, particularly his masterful seventh symphony the leningrad symphony. In symphony for the city of the dead, his first nonfiction work for teenagers, he takes on one of the grimmest chapters in.
Symphony for the city of the dead dmitri shostakovich and the siege of leningrad book. Andersons symphony for the city of the dead the new york. Bolshevik, proletariat, gulag, futurism, formalism, and more. This book is a nonfiction account of events during and leading up to the 1940s siege of leningrad under stalins brutal regime and a nazi assault. Symphony for the city of the dead is the true story of a city under. Anderson quotes we write because we cant decipher things the first time around. The narrative introduces words and phrases about politics, music, and art that may be new to readers. A year into the siege of leningrad, a haggard group of musicians defiantly and improbably performed dmitri shostakovichs symphony. Longlist, national book awards 2015 for young peoples literature. Symphony for the city of the dead dmitri shostakovich and the siege of leningrad. It is also a look at the powerand layered meaningof music in beleaguered lives.
Anderson, 9780763668181, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Composer edmund meisel was commissioned to write an orchestral score for its original release the film is an example of the city symphony film genre. This book, too, seems destined to win awards as it has already been named to the 2015 national book award longlist for young peoples literature. Dmitri shostakovich and the siege of leningrad author. I highly recommend symphony for the city of the dead, if it sounds interesting to you.
They call it the great patriotic war, by the way, not wwii. Dimitri shostakovich was a wellknown composer who, like. Our survival as a nation rests upon the willingness of the young to become excited and engaged by new ideas we never considered as adults. Symphony for the city of the dead someday my printz will. Its the nonfiction account of the life of russian composer dmitri shostakovich, who lived during stalins regime and escaped the seige of leningrad. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. Speaking of which, symphony for the city of the dead gave me a whole new perspective on wwii since ive never read anything from the ussr at the time. Extensively researched and passionately told, symphony for the city of the dead exposes the strengths and weaknesses of humanity through an engrossing tale of war, art and undying creativity. With bold colours and a revolving set of images depicting characters from the iconic wild west adventure, this theme is a great choice for those who had a blast with. Listen to your favorite songs from hollywood symphony orchestra selected hits vol. Symphony for the city of the dead is a masterwork thrillingly told and impeccably researched by national book awardwinning author m. Dmitri shostakovich and the siege of leningrad from the worlds largest community of readers. It is also a look at the power and layered meaning of music in beleaguered lives.
One of my favorite books last year was candace flemings the family romanov. Download or stream symphony for the city of the dead. The storytelling is captivating, describing how shostakovich began composing the symphony under relentless bombardment in leningrad and later finished it in moscow, its triumphant performance in leningrad during the siege, and how it rallied worldwide sympathy. Dmitri shostakovich and the siege of leningrad 9781531863180. Books similar to symphony for the city of the dead. Petersburg, was bombed and held under siege by nazi forces for almost three years, unable to obtain fresh food or other necessities for.
Symphony for the city of the dead may look like a novel, with its artsy cover and its poetic title, but it isnt. There was no one left in leningrad to play the leningrad symphony. Symphony for the city of the dead summary supersummary. Anderson does tell the story of shostakovichs leningrad symphony and thoroughly explains why it was so important and why symphony orchestras all over the world wanted to perform it. Candlewick press teachers guide symphony for the city of the dead. Anderson delivers an account of the siege of leningrad and the role played by russian composer shostakovich and his leningrad symphony. A 2016 yalsa award for excellence in nonfiction for young adults finalist national book award winner m.
Symphony for the city of the dead is an intense historical account that is highly recommended reading for anyone studying world war ii or readers with an interest in history or music. Dimitri shostakovich and the seige of leningrad candlewick, 2015 using the life and work of the composer dimitri shostakovich as a hook, and specifically his masterful seventh symphony the leningrad, symphony for the city of the dead explores one of the most horrific places and times to live in human history. In september 1941, adolf hitlers wehrmacht surrounded leningrad in what was to become one of the longest and most destructive. After the fantastic theme of war, shostakovich has put into his music a lament for the dead and the tears of a russian mother and of an american mother are the. Discussion of themes and motifs in james joyces the dead. Once the members of the discussion group have the opportunity to listen to symphony for the city of the dead, offer these questions or your own to provide everyone with the opportunity to share thoughts. Despite having a ton of critical praise for its tight, thrilling narrative and thoughtful approach to complex history, it didnt manage to snag a printz. Murder, rebellion, and the fall of imperial russia. This ambitious and gripping work is narrative nonfiction at its best. Anderson delivers a brilliant and riveting account of the siege of leningrad and the role played by russian composer shostakovich and his leningrad symphony. A reading and writing initiative that connects authors with readers. A substantial, complex, and compelling history provides an overview of russia and. Dmitri shostakovich and the siege of leningrad audio cd audiobook, cd, unabridged. This is the true story of a city under siege, the triumph of bravery and defiance in the face of terrifying odds.