On reading Shostakovich's pronouncements concerning "meaning in music".
In Soviet Russia https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24727079-symphony-for-the-city-of-the-dead Under Stalin When everything Had meaning But nothing Made sense Shostakovich was denounced As "anti-people". Stalin sat At the Bolshoi, Listened To the music, Stood Half way through And left. An orchestrated Moment perfectly timed To set vibrations Through the audience. Shostakovich asks: "What was the Composer trying To say?" And answers: "Questions are naive" He asks: "Can music Be evil?" "Can it make man Stop and think?" ... Each of us Sits in the pits Bowing our parts, Playing to a wider Score. When the End comes, There is A brief moment Of silence; We hold Our breath And wait For a reaction.