John Dalmas:

>...  Why is the "Leningrad" such fair game? Any comments?

I was always under the impression that the Leningrad like a lot of
Shostakovich's work was dismissed by critics as Soviet propaganda.
Now that the USSR has been conquered, its safe to reevaluate what was
purportedly Soviet agitprop. In the end, its the music that matters and
not the composers intention or personal politics.  If the Leningrad is poor
and unconvincing it should be criticised as such.  If not, it should be
praised.

Sam Pawlett