Symphony No. 12 (Shostakovich)

Symphony No. 12 in D minor, Op. 112, subtitled "The Year 1917", is a symphony composed by Dmitri Shostakovich in 1961. It is dedicated to the memory of Vladimir Lenin.

The symphony is structured in four movements:

1. Moderato – Allegro (Revolutionary Petrograd)
2. Adagio (Razliv)
3. Allegro (Aurora)
4. Allegro – Moderato (The Dawn of Humanity)

The symphony is generally considered one of Shostakovich's more overtly programmatic works, depicting events associated with the Russian Revolution. The first movement portrays the revolutionary fervor in Petrograd (St. Petersburg), while the second movement is evocative of Lenin's hiding in Razliv Lake. The third movement, named after the cruiser Aurora, describes the ship's role in the storming of the Winter Palace. The finale aims to depict the dawn of a new and better humanity as a result of the revolution.

Reception of the symphony has been mixed. While praised for its orchestration and dramatic power, it has also been criticized for its perceived lack of subtlety and perceived pandering to the Soviet regime. Some critics see it as a less inspired work compared to his other symphonies, citing the comparatively straightforward musical language and the perceived lack of ambiguity. Other critics argue that despite its programmatic nature, it contains moments of genuine emotional depth and complexity, reflective of Shostakovich's own complicated relationship with the Soviet government. Despite critical debate, the symphony remains part of the standard orchestral repertoire and continues to be performed and studied worldwide.