Obsessed

One very interesting and entertaining fact about Dmitri Shostakovich is that he was very obsessive with many things.

So obsessive that he sent himself letters to check that the postal service was working fine.

Perhaps most notably, he had a quirky obsession with codes and numbers, particularly his own initials, D-S-C-H (based on the German musical notation: D = D, S = E♭, C = C, H = B natural).

He used this motif—a musical signature—in many of his compositions, perhaps as a way to secretly insert his identity into works during times of Soviet censorship.

This four-note theme became a personal trademark, a kind of musical "easter egg" for listeners familiar with his style.

It’s like he was hiding in plain sight within his own music!

Among of his most important works with the DSCH motif are his 10th and 15th Symphonies, his Cello Concerto nr.1, or his powerful String Quartet nr.8 which happens to be my favorite.

Here´s a short excerpt from this fabulous (sometimes terrifying) work performed by some of my favorite artists! Watch it here.

Today would´ve been Shostakovich´s 118th birthday.

Have a nice day,

Claudio.