Search - Shostakovich, Shostakovich Quartet :: Complete String Quartets 4

Great performances of some of Shostakovich's bleakest works

chefdevergue | Spokane, WA United States | 04/26/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you enjoy, happy perky lightweight music, then the Shostakovich quartets are not for you. The quartets, none of which were written until Shostakovich was in his 40's and was already a mature composer, reveal his introspective nature. The three quartets on this CD, and in particular #'s 11 and 15 (written in E-flat minor --- yep, six flats with which to torment the musicians), are especially bleak. The 11th thru 15th Quartets were written between 1966 and 1974, at which time Shostakovich was in increasingly bad health following a heart attack. The 15th Quartet is considered by many to be a Requiem of sorts for Shostakovich.The performances by the Shostakovich Quartet, who have now recorded the entire cycle, rival those of the incomparable Borodin Quartet. Not to take anything away from the Emerson Quartet, but I think that the Shostakovich Quartet's cycle is the best recorded in the last 10-15 years. They should be in the collection, alongside the Borodin cycle and the Fitzwilliam Quartet's recordings, of anybody who appreciates 20th century music.With the possible exception of the 6 Bartok quartets, the 15 Shostakovich quartets represent the high point of 20th century chamber music. Every one of them, without exception, is a truly great piece of music. No collection is complete without them."

Shostakovich does it again!

Michael Espinoza | Colorado | 12/06/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If your listening palet is atuned to the artistic gold that is Shostakovich, you will be pleased by these several short works. It combines his ability to create diverse tonal variances with the unique sound of a string quartet. My favorite is track 2. Enjoy."