The Leningrad première of Shostakovich's Symphony No. 7 took place on 9
August 1942 during the Second World War, while the city (now Saint
Petersburg) was under siege by Nazi German forces. Dmitri Shostakovich
(pictured) had intended for the piece to be premièred by the Leningrad
Philharmonic Orchestra, but they had been evacuated because of the
siege, along with the composer, and the world première was instead held
in Kuybyshev. The Leningrad première was performed by the surviving
musicians of the Leningrad Radio Orchestra, supplemented with military
performers. Most of the musicians were starving, and three died during
rehearsals. Supported by a Soviet military offensive intended to silence
German forces, the performance was a success, prompting an hour-long
ovation. The symphony was broadcast to the German lines by loudspeaker
as a form of psychological warfare. The Leningrad première was
considered by music critics to be one of the most important artistic
performances of the war because of its psychological and political
effects. Reunion concerts featuring surviving musicians were convened in
1964 and 1992 to commemorate the event.

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Today's selected anniversaries:


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Malaysia expelled the state of Singapore (flag pictured) from
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A white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri killed an 18-year-

Wiktionary's word of the day:

(Singapore) An imaginary creature with the head of a lion and the body
of a fish, which is one of the national symbols of Singapore.

Wikiquote quote of the day:

     I've found that people aren't really as different as they
sometimes seem. We all have joy and tragedy in our lives. So it only
follows that if I write something from my heart and stay true to myself,
others will easily identify.       
  --Happy Rhodes

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