One epidemic barely had a chance to draw to a close before another arrived in its place — an epidemic of dehumanization. Thousands of seemingly peaceful and civilized people have shown their ability to achieve zoological levels of hatred toward their own kind.

The wave of Russophobia rising in Europe right now has already swept over the well-recognized input of Russian science and culture and onto the heritage of humankind. Even the usually acceptable Fyodor Dostoyevsky, whom Western elites have adored for his sincere reactionary spirit, was not spared.

But where does the blame of the long-deceased Russian composers, such as Dmitri Shostakovich, actually lie? Those who are now refusing to play his music, citing political motives, would be remiss to not know that he was never a court sycophant and that he had a strained relationship with power. Thankfully, there are some exceptions.