Autograph Musical Quotation From The Composer's Sixth Symphony, Signed [In Cyrillic] "D Shostakovich" Shostakovich, Dmitri 1906-1975 Autographs & Manuscripts,New Arrivals

3 measures of the theme from the first movement, marked "Moderato" at head. Notated in blue ink on letterhead of the Hotel Victoria in Rome, with their logo in blue to upper left corner. Quarto (190 x 175 mm). With an autograph inscription in Cyrillic to Joseph Nicolas ("To Zhosefu Niklasu with best wishes from D. Shostakovich") dated 17 May 1958, Rome below quotation. Slightly creased at folds. "Shostakovich's most significant work from these times [1939-1941] was the Sixth Symphony, composed between April and October 1939. This work disappointed those who were expecting something on the lines of the Fifth, but its bizarre succession of apparently unrelated moods parallels the profoundly contradictory spirit of the times." Laurel Fay and David Fanning in Grove Music Online Shostakovich "is generally regarded as the greatest symphonist of the mid-20th century, and many of his string quartets, concertos, instrumental and vocal works are also firmly established in the repertory. . He played a decisive role in the musical life of the former Soviet Union, as teacher, writer and administrator. He was also an active pianist, frequently performing his own works until disability prevented him. His last concert appearance was in 1966." Laurel Fay and David Fanning in Grove Music Online.