*In many instances Shostakovich had not even been asked to sign, since such a formality was considered unnecessary. After all, how could anyone possibly doubt that Shostakovich, like every other Soviet citizen, adulated the leader and teacher? Thus there appeared exalted praise for the “wonderful works of Comrade Stalin” in Literaturnaya gazeta (September 30, 1950) over the signature of D. Shostakovich. He had never even read the passionate panegyric.