Shostakovich: The Complete String Quartets [Box set, Import]

Shostakovich Quartet (Artist), Alexander Galkovsky (Artist), Alexander Korchagin (Artist), Sergei Pishchugin (Artist), Andrei Shishlov (Artist), Dmitry Shostakovich (Composer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Composer: Dmitry Shostakovich
• Audio CD (May 9, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 5
• Format: Box set, Import
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Olympia
• ASIN: B000003WCO
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #838,954 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Movements (2) for string quartet: I.Elegy (Adagio)

2. Movements (2) for string quartet: II.Polka (Allegretto)

3. String Quartet No. 1 in C major, Op. 49: I.Moderato

4. String Quartet No. 1 in C major, Op. 49: II.Moderato

See all 13 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. String Quartet No. 2 in A major, Op. 68: I.Overture: Moderato con moto

2. String Quartet No. 2 in A major, Op. 68: II.Recitative and Romance: Adagio

3. String Quartet No. 2 in A major, Op. 68: III.Valse: Allegro

4. String Quartet No. 2 in A major, Op. 68: IV.Theme with Variations: Adagio - Moderato con moto - Allegretto - Allegro non troppo - All

See all 10 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. String Quartet No. 6 in G major, Op. 101: I.Allegretto - Andrei Shishlov/Sergei Pishchugin/Alexander Galkovsky/Alexander Korchagin A

2. String Quartet No. 6 in G major, Op. 101: II.Moderato con moto

3. String Quartet No. 6 in G major, Op. 101: III.Lento

4. String Quartet No. 6 in G major, Op. 101: IV.Lento - Allegretto - Andante - Adagio

See all 14 tracks on this disc

Disc: 4

1. String Quartet No. 10 in A flat, Op. 118: I.Andante

2. String Quartet No. 10 in A flat, Op. 118: II.Allegretto furioso

3. String Quartet No. 10 in A flat, Op. 118: III.Adagio

4. String Quartet No. 10 in A flat, Op. 118: IV.Allegretto - Andante

See all 17 tracks on this disc

Disc: 5

1. String Quartet No. 12 in D flat major, Op. 133: I.Moderato - Allegretto

2. String Quartet No. 12 in D flat major, Op. 133: II.Allegretto - Adagio - Moderato - Allegretto

3. String Quartet No. 13 in B flat minor, Op. 138: Adagio - Doppio movimento - Tempo primo

4. String Quartet No. 14 in F sharp major, Op. 142: I.Allegretto

See all 6 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Shostakovich's 15 string quartets run the gamut from the sunny innocence of the First (a contemporary of the famous Fifth Symphony), to the gloom and doom of the 15th (six slow movements--five adagios and a funeral march--no kidding). There are no early works here. Every one of them reflects the composer in his prime, and to that extent (and absent the socialist realist angle pursued by some of the symphonies) they comprise his finest group of purely instrumental works. In fact, along with the quartets of Bart&ocaute;k and Jan´cek, they represent the finest 20th-century contributions to the genre. These performances, by a Russian quartet named for the composer, are as good as the name would lead you to expect. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars highly recommended, January 11, 2006

By 

peer gynt - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shostakovich: The Complete String Quartets (Audio CD)

If you have read this far, you must be serious about your Shostakovich, so I will cut to the chase. For me this box set, surprisingly unreviewed until now, is one of four highly recommendable sets of DSCH's quartets.

The 1st and 2nd Borodin sets need no further comment from me; they breathe an intensity and authenticity whilst getting to the heart of the music. The Fitzwilliam set, with its amazing recording quality, clarity and expressionistic gestures, is the best non-Russian cycle, and continues to wipe the floor with more recent sets by the Emersons, Brodskys and Manhattens etc. whose effects-driven performances largely miss the variegated depth of meaning therein.

This cycle by the Shostakovich Quartet, recorded between 1978 and 1988 in Moscow, has fuller tone than the Fitzwilliams, and the ensemble plays with a more romantic intensity than any other except the Borodins. The interpretations themselves are, as to be expected, more 'Slavic'. What become virtuoso showcases for other, non-Russian ensembles (e.g. parts of Quartet no. 8 and the end of no.9) here are transformed into unhinged Russian folk dances.

Throughout these quartets, this ensemble has the measure of Shostakovich's soundworlds whilst having a solid command of the musical structures, resulting in compelling performances that never dull the interest (the Fitzwilliams, whom I love, do tend to make my mind wander in particular slow movements).

Unfortunately, Quartet No. 8 has a rather underpowered 2nd movement, though this may be the fault of engineering; the rest of this quartet is very well realised.

Especially fine interpretations of No.s 6, 9 and 14 help this set to stand out from its competitors.

In sum, if you are looking for a complete cycle, I highly recommend this Shostakovich Quartet set. If you are looking for fireworks (but without real emotional engagement), go for the Emersons or Brodskys. If you are looking for an equally valid alternative to the Borodins, this is it.

This cycle is the genuine article, well recorded, authentically Russian, effortlessly played. Rather meagre packaging, however.

Ignore this set at your peril!