Been inspired by Shostakovich? Explore other topics and see what else inspires you.

The Sex Pistols aren’t the only ones to show dissent through music. The Arts Past and Present (AA100) looks at Dmitri Shostakovich and raises fascinating questions about how musical works might act as a form of political dissent.

However debate still rages over whether Shostakovich undermined or celebrated Stalin. Was he the Soviet regimes musical laureate or was he an anti establishment enemy of the state?

Whether you’re in search of Cleopatra, into sacred places, want to learn more about the Dalai Lama, Irish Nationalism or the Benin Bronzes we guarantee to take your interest further.