🎶 120 years ago today, Dmitri Shostakovich was born – one of the greatest composers of the 20th century. His 15 symphonies and 15 string quartets became landmarks of modern classical music, and his works continue to be performed around the world. During the Siege of Leningrad, Shostakovich joined a volunteer fire brigade and took turns on the roof of the Leningrad Conservatory, helping protect it from incendiary bombs. A photograph of the composer in his firefighter’s uniform became an iconic image and inspired the cover of TIME magazine in 1942, introducing Shostakovich to millions of readers abroad not only as a composer, but also as a symbol of Leningrad's resistance. At the same time, he was writing his Seventh Symphony, later known as the “Leningrad”. Its performance in the besieged city on 9 August 1942 became a powerful cultural event, with musicians taking part despite the hardships of the blockade. Shostakovich also had a notable connection with Britain: he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Oxford in 1958 and the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Gold Medal in 1966. His music remains a regular presence in British concert halls today.