String Quartet No. 1 in C major, Op. 49: Allegro molto
String Quartet No. 1 in C major, Op. 49: Allegro
String Quartet No. 2 in A major, Op. 68: Overture (Moderato con moto)
String Quartet No. 2 in A major, Op. 68: Recitative and Romance (Adagio)
String Quartet No. 2 in A major, Op. 68: Waltz (Allegro)
String Quartet No. 2 in A major, Op. 68: Theme with Variations (Adagio)
String Quartet No. 4 in D major, Op. 83: Allegretto
String Quartet No. 4 in D major, Op. 83: Andantino
String Quartet No. 4 in D major, Op. 83: Allegretto -
String Quartet No. 4 in D major, Op. 83: Allegretto
Track Listings (11) - Disc #2
String Quartet No. 3 in F major, Op. 73: Allegretto
String Quartet No. 3 in F major, Op. 73: Moderato con moto
String Quartet No. 3 in F major, Op. 73: Allegro non troppo
String Quartet No. 3 in F major, Op. 73: Adagio
String Quartet No. 3 in F major, Op. 73: Moderato
Quintet for piano & strings in G minor, Op. 57: Prelude (Lento) -
Quintet for piano & strings in G minor, Op. 57: Fugue (Adagio)
Quintet for piano & strings in G minor, Op. 57: Scherzo (Allegretto)
Quintet for piano & strings in G minor, Op. 57: Intermezzo (Lento) -
Quintet for piano & strings in G minor, Op. 57: Finale (Allegretto)
Prelude & Fugue for piano No. 20 in C minor, Op. 87/20
Track Listings (11) - Disc #3
String Quartet No. 5 in B flat major, Op. 92: Allegro non troppo -
String Quartet No. 5 in B flat major, Op. 92: Andante -
String Quartet No. 5 in B flat major, Op. 92: Moderato
String Quartet No. 6 in G major, Op. 101: Allegretto
String Quartet No. 6 in G major, Op. 101: Moderato con moto
String Quartet No. 6 in G major, Op. 101: Lento -
String Quartet No. 6 in G major, Op. 101: Lento - Allegretto
String Quartet No. 7 in F sharp minor, Op. 108: Allegretto -
String Quartet No. 7 in F sharp minor, Op. 108: Lento -
String Quartet No. 7 in F sharp minor, Op. 108: Allegro - Allegretto
Prelude & Fugue for piano No. 15 in D flat major, Op. 87/15
"The sharpness of the contrasts come across like physical blows with the Alexander Quartet, and there is a steely edge to their sound in some sections which can be quite unsettling. There is great beauty, but no comfort... more » in the exquisite dying moments of the conclusion."
-- Musicweb-International Captured here, on three discs, is the first half of the Alexander String Quartet's complete Shostakovich cycle. Superbly recorded at the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 2005-06, this exquisite collection contains the first seven quartets, the Piano Quintet with legendary Australian pianist Roger Woodward, and two exceptional transcriptions for string quartet by ASQ's first violinist of a pair of the piano Preludes and Fugues from Op. 87 (1950-51). Spanning roughly the period from 1937-1960, this beautiful collection is accompanied by superb liner notes from musicologist Eric Bromberger.« less
"The sharpness of the contrasts come across like physical blows with the Alexander Quartet, and there is a steely edge to their sound in some sections which can be quite unsettling. There is great beauty, but no comfort in the exquisite dying moments of the conclusion."
-- Musicweb-International Captured here, on three discs, is the first half of the Alexander String Quartet's complete Shostakovich cycle. Superbly recorded at the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 2005-06, this exquisite collection contains the first seven quartets, the Piano Quintet with legendary Australian pianist Roger Woodward, and two exceptional transcriptions for string quartet by ASQ's first violinist of a pair of the piano Preludes and Fugues from Op. 87 (1950-51). Spanning roughly the period from 1937-1960, this beautiful collection is accompanied by superb liner notes from musicologist Eric Bromberger.
Quite simply one of the best traversals of the Shostakovich
Thomas Martin | USA | 07/21/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is the first part of the ASQ's complete recording of the Quartets. Their Beethoven was highly praised in the Penguin Guide; this set deserves similar praise. Roger Woodward's contribution at the piano is an extra bonus. Do you self a favor and listen to these recordings, and their Beethoven. You won't be disappointed!"