Search - Dmitry Shostakovich, Rubio Quartet :: Complete String Quartets

Shostakovich on a Shoestring

Apassianato | Ga | 09/11/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As a teenage conneseiur of classical music, I can't exactly dish out the money that some other recordings of the complete Shostakovich String Quartets cost. This is the best you can get for the money, and worth much more! The sound quality is fantastic, and I find little wrong with the CDs. While I prefer the Kronos Quartet's phrasing (particularly on the 8th string quartet), the Rubio's mellower sound is a nice alternative, and adds a contrast to the otherwise pessimistic music of Dmitri Shostakovich. Named in honor of the late instrument maker Rubio, they all play on his instruments. In part due to this continuity of instrument, and part due to their extraordinary musicality, the recordings have a very unified sound. This is a great find!"

Very Good Shostakovich Cycle

T. Beers | Arlington, Virginia United States | 03/16/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I want to thank the other reviewer for leading me to this set; cash-strapped teenager maybe, but he knows quality when he hears it! The Rubio Quartet is Flemish and its full, warm sound (very handsomely recorded on these ridiculously inexpensive CDs)is a joy to hear .... and very recognizable to anyone who's heard marvelous Dutch/Belgian/Flemish string players like Anner Bylsma. The Rubio may not provide the kind of idiomatic Slavic 'grit' you hear on classic Shostakovich recordings by the Beethoven and Borodin quartets, but their performances are fully competitive with everybody else (including those by younger Russian ensembles like the St. Petersburg Quartet). According to the excellent liner notes, the Rubio recordings were made 'live' in a Flanders church over a few months in 2002. A small audience was present at each recital/session, but I heard almost no audience noise at all: the performances are so good the listeners must have been nearly mesmerized! Competition in this price range comes from classic 1970s British recordings by the Fitzwilliam Quartet, now available in a bargain box from Decca. The Fitzwilliam performances are certainly marvelous, but the Rubio's are just as accomplished and insightful and are also better recorded. One more word about the liner notes: I've rarely seen such detailed and insightful notes -- each quartet is discussed separately -- included with 'bargain box' sets. This is a first-rate production all around. If you don't know the Shostakovich quartets, it's just about a perfect introduction. And even if you do own other recordings this Brilliant Classics set is such a great bargain you just shouldn't pass it up."

Affordable modern Digital Shostakovich...

bonerfly | NY | 04/03/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"and worth every penny and more.

Everyone lucky enough to have picked up a copy of the Borodin Quartets cycle when it was list price, will already have all the Shostakovich String Quartets they'll ever need.

The Rubio Quartet doesn't carry the emotional depth or angst of The Borodin's in this music, but NO ONE else does either.

But this performance DOES belong at the Top of a short list of modern Digital recordings.

Beautifully played, with wonderful warm tone and the requisite fire when appropriate.

Their phrasing is impeccable and the unified ensemble sound is as good as it gets.

If there was ever a complaint about The Borodin Quartet's recording it would be the sound quality.

While it is still Excellent sound, it is a bit dry and maybe a slight bit compressed at the bottom end.

And CDs have made many advances since the Early 80s when it was recorded by (Russian) Meloydia.

On the other hand this Rubio recording on Brilliant Classics is just that-BRILLIANT-.

Wide open to allow air between each note creating a greater transparency and clarity than almost all the competition.

The sound is SUPERB.

So, unless you are willing to lay out $75+ for the Borodin cycle, that's if you can find it, this is an affordable alternative and would still be at a higher price.

If the Borodin's had never recorded this cycle, I dare say The Rubio performance would make a top first choice.

This is the best "bargain" out there.

And we're talking FIVE, 60+ minute CDs.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

"