Alongside Sergei Prokofiev, Dimitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) is considered the most important and best-known Russian composer of the Soviet era. His extensive oeuvre covers virtually all genres and is a mirror of social developments in the Soviet Union. Shostakovich's oeuvre is characterized by the balancing act between his sheer inexhaustible expressive creativity on the one hand and the constraints imposed by the Stalinist cultural apparatchiks on the other. The need to encode his actual intentions in his compositions shaped an ambivalent style that concealed the most intimate melancholy behind the trivial, that countered the state-ordered, superficial optimism and cheerfulness with subliminal, biting mockery. As with matryoshka dolls, Shostakovich's actual message is often hidden under a superficial shell.

The majority of the interpretations are by recognized orchestras and performers and Russian artists who were on friendly terms with Shostakovich. These include the WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne under the direction of Rudolf Barshai and the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine under Theodore Kuchar. This encyclopaedic box set is a unique compilation of Shostakovich's music. His works are among the most important of the last century and are a piece of contemporary history captured in music.

Sergei Aleksashkin, Alla Simoni, Vladimir Vaneev, Klara Würtz, Timora Rosler, Muza Rubackyte, Choir of the Moscow Choral Academy, WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln, Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi, National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, Orchestra Sinfonica Abruzzese, Russian National Orchestra, Moscow Symphony Orchestra, Quartetto Nous, Trio Kanon, Duo Phone, Rubio Quartet, Rudolf Barshai, Theodore Kuchar, Filippo Arlia, Valentin Uryupin, Valery Polyansky

Symphonien Nr. 1-15 (WDR Sinfonieorchester, Rudolph Barshai); Kammersymphonien op. 49a "Eine kleine Symphonie", op. 73a, op. 83a, op. 110a, op. 118a (nach den Streichquartetten Nr. 1, 3, 4, 8, 10); Jazz-Suiten Nr. 1 & 2; Ouvertüre op. 115 über russische & kirgisische Themen; Novorossijsk Chimes op. 111b; Festouvertüre op. 96; The Bolt-Ballettsuite op. 27a; The Limpid Stream-Ballettsuite op. 39a; The Golden Age-Ballettsuite op. 22a; Hamlet-Filmsuite ; The Gadfly-Filmsuite op. 97a; Klavierkonzerte Nr. 1 & 2; Violinkonzerte Nr. 1 & 2; Cellokonzerte Nr. 1 & 2; Klavierquintett g-moll op. 57; Klaviertrios Nr. 1 & 2; Violinsonate op. 134; Violasonate op. 147; Cellosonate d-moll op. 40; Streichquartette Nr. 1-15;
Präludien & Fugen op. 87 Nr. 1-24; 3 Fantastic Dances op. 5 für Klavier