Dmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich was a Soviet-Russian composer and pianist. He is regarded as one of the major composers of the 20th century, with a unique harmonic language and a historic importance due to his years of work under Stalin.
Shostakovich composed his Cello Sonata in D Minor in 1934, just before his official censure and the Great Terror. As a result this work reflects his original style, known for its sarcasm and witty departures from traditional classical form.