Shostakovich String Quartets

[LeMartinPecheur]

My pick would be 1, 3, 4, 8, 9 and 15. But that's really only because these are the ones I know best So if going on holiday myself with time like you to study, it'd have to be 2, 5, 6, 7, 10-14

Sadly, I don't think my wife and daughter would cut me the slack

Went to a very good performance of 3 a few days ago by this year's prize-winning RCM quartet, the Arcos(es). My absolutely stand-out live Shoster 4tet was the 15th by the Fitzwilliams in June 1975, the ink hardly dry on the page. Utterly spine-chilling and unforgettable.

Have also heard live no's 1, 2 and 8...

...plus the 7th in an arrangement for brass ens.

[Richard Tarleton]

I've been immersing myself in all 15 recently - 1-13 by the original Borodins, 1-15 by the St Petersburg Quartet, 3-7-8 by the 1991 Borodins....Tim Hugh and chums will be playing 8 here on Sunday 16. We had the St Petersburg Q there a few weeks ago. Still exploring - I'm less keen on 11-12-13.

[Bryn]

You won't go far wrong exploring via the Pacific box set, replete with essential contemporaneous quartets by other Soviet composers:

[Beef Oven!]

You won't go far wrong exploring via the Pacific box set, replete with essential contemporaneous quartets by other Soviet composers:

But which 5/6?

I'm sticking to the Rubio Quartet, but interestingly, many of the "Soviet Experience" editions are available on Apple Music, so I could listen on my iPad/iPhone.

[Beef Oven!]

This may help you to decide Beefmeister

http://www.quartets.de/ (it's in our reference library)

My favourite is 7 (DSCH's own favourite too I believe)

Don't dare leave No 15 behind.

I suggest 3,7,8,13 and 15

15 won't be left behind!

Just listened to 7. I don't remember it at all, but it's brilliant!

[Beef Oven!]

Picking my way through the thoughts on the selections from Tapiola, LeMartinPecheur & Richard Tarleton - This aint gonna be easy!

[gurnemanz]

The Shostakovich Quartet on Olympia were an early CD purchase. Still my only complete set and now available quite cheaply on Alto

[richardfinegold]

I would get the Borodin set on Chandos

[Pulcinella]

Beefy: seems to me that you might as well take them all!
:-)
(I have the Decca Fitzwilliam set.)

Hope I survive the Carducci experience tomorrow: quite an endurance feat all round.
At least no tube strike to contend with.

[Beef Oven!]

Beefy: seems to me that you might as well take them all!
:-)

I was coming to that very conclusion!!

I have set myself the challenge of 5/6 and must see it through!

Hope I survive the Carducci experience tomorrow: quite an endurance feat all round.
At least no tube strike to contend with.

15 DSCH string quartets in a day? You'll be fine!!!
I'd love to be at the Globe Theatre for that, I hope you have a great time.

[Roehre]

...

I suggest 3,7,8,13 and 15

And I'd like to add no.10

But an alternative would be to listen to the Barshai orchestrated versions: 1, 3, 4, 8 and 10

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Beefy: seems to me that you might as well take them all!

Yes - "5 or 6" of the Symphonies would be an easier task, the String Quartets are much more even in their superbness!

I like Edgey's choice but, to make 6, I'd add No1, then you get an overview from beginning to end of the cycle. (I love the way the First seems to show the composer discovering how much the medium offers and challenges.)

It's been years since I last played all of them - I think I'll set aside some time to reacquaint myself with this Music. Good call, BeefO.

[LeMartinPecheur]

But an alternative would be to listen to the Barshai orchestrated versions: 1, 3, 4, 8 and 10

Instant destruction of carefully created balances between parts Don't go there!!!

[LeMartinPecheur]

Barbican 13 Dec - Shoster feast!!!

You can hear 3, 5 , 6 ,7 and 8 in one day this December, plus piano quintet and Preludes & Fugues. I'm on for it with my best mate! http://www.barbican.org.uk/music/eve...l.asp?ID=17398 (see links to the other two concerts ).

"If a thing's worth doing, it's worth doing to excess"

---

[Roehre]

Instant destruction of carefully created balances between parts Don't go there!!!

I like them very much as independent works; Barshai had DSCH's blessing, and the instrumentations of 8 and 10 are essentially DSCH's own