Dmitri Shostakovich (born September 12 [September 25, New Style], 1906, St. Petersburg, Russia—died August 9, 1975, Moscow, Russia, U.S.S.R.) was a Russian composer, renowned particularly for his fifteen symphonies, numerous chamber works, and concerti, many of them written under the pressures of government-imposed standards of Soviet art. Visit www.britannica.com to continue reading and learn more about Shostakovich.