Shostakovich's Leningrad Symphony Premiered in Besieged City

Dmitri Shostakovich's Symphony No. 7 received its Leningrad premiere at the Grand Philharmonia Hall while German forces besieged the city. Fifteen musicians from the original orchestra survived in the city; military musicians were recalled from the front to fill the 100-player ensemble. Soviet artillery commander Govorov ordered a barrage to silence German guns during the 80-minute performance. The concert was broadcast by loudspeaker to both defenders and besieging forces as an act of cultural defiance.