Shostakovich: Fragments Vol. 2 - String Quartets Nos. 8-15/Preludes & Fugues (arr. Grafilo)/Unfinished String Quartet (3 CDs) [Box set]

Alexander String Quartet (Artist, Orchestra), Shostakovich (Composer), Dmitri (Composer), Zakarias Grafilo (Conductor, Performer), Frederick Lifsitz (Conductor, Performer), Paul Yarbrough & Sandy Wilson (Conductor, Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Zakarias Grafilo, Frederick Lifsitz, Paul Yarbrough & Sandy Wilson
• Orchestra: Alexander String Quartet
• Conductor: Zakarias Grafilo, Frederick Lifsitz, Paul Yarbrough & Sandy Wilson
• Composer: Shostakovich, Dmitri
• Audio CD (June 15, 2007)
• Number of Discs: 3
• Format: Box set
• 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: FoghornClassics
• ASIN: B000V1ULIY
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #285,639 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. String Quartet No. 8 in C minor, Op. 110: Largo

2. String Quartet No. 8 in C minor, Op. 110: Allegro Molto

3. String Quartet No. 8 in C minor, Op. 110: Allegretto

4. String Quartet No. 8 in C minor, Op. 110: Largo

5. String Quartet No. 8 in C minor, Op. 110: Largo

6. String Quartet No. 9 in E flat major, Op. 117: Moderato con moto

See all 18 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

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

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

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

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

5. String Quartet No. 12 in D flat major, Op. 133: Moderato

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

See all 7 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

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

2. String Quartet No. 14 in F sharp major, Op. 142: Adagio -

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

4. String Quartet No. 15 in E flat minor, Op. 144: Elegy (Adagio) -

5. String Quartet No. 15 in E flat minor, Op. 144: Serenade (Adagio) -

6. String Quartet No. 15 in E flat minor, Op. 144: Intermezzo (Adagio) -

See all 11 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clean Expressive Interpretations, January 7, 2011

By 

Dmitri (Florida - Paradise) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Shostakovich: Fragments Vol. 2 - String Quartets Nos. 8-15/Preludes & Fugues (arr. Grafilo)/Unfinished String Quartet (3 CDs) (Audio CD)

This is basically the second half of Shostakovich's String Quartet output committed to CD by the Alexander String Quartet. If you are expecting driven urgent performances you will be disappointed. But if you will settle for deeply expressive clarity which you can clearly hear every string line then this might be just for you. The playing is top notch even if speeds are bit slow. I think that this still shows the players to be very good. The 8th through the 15th string quartets are featured. Plus there is an Unfinished String Quartet of 1961 in one movement which lasts 7 minutes and 35 seconds. This is a first time recording of this work and that is something collector's ought to know.

I bought this second half first just because in my opinion the second half of Shostakovich's String Quartet output is more interesting than his first half. Now that I know how good this is I plan on getting the Alexander String Quartet doing Shostakovich String Quartets 1-7 plus the Piano Quintet.

Words really can't describe the Alexander's sound to well. They just sound like they get every note perfect if in slightly "slow motion." This is quite a change from many other Shostakovich String Quartet issues were it sounds like the players are about to explode or they do explode and maybe just hit a note not quite the right way. I assure you the Alexander's are note perfect, but take there time.

I feel like I am reviewing this all with a caveat. But this issue gets five stars for being underrated and under the radar of most people collecting Shostakovich. It's also about time that we had a little bit of sanity in the playing of these string quartets. I can almost relax back in the lazy boy and listen now. I think I will:-)