Shostakovich 15 String Quartets

thedudeabides · Oct 19, 2016

Just picked up these wonderful works performed by the Borodin Quartet (6 CD set) after having listened to them on XM radio.

So nuanced / melodic at times but tense / free form at others.

If you haven't listened to these and enjoy this genre, you owe it to yourself to audition these magical compositions.

Highly recommended.

rbbert · Oct 19, 2016

The Borodin Quartet's has been generally acknowledged as the benchmark performance for the cycle. For a somewhat different approach I really like the Alexander Quartet, who also recorded some odds and ends to be included in their set.

MadFloyd · Oct 19, 2016

thedudeabides said:
Just picked up these wonderful works performed by the Borodin Quartet (6 CD set) after having listened to them on XM radio.

So nuanced / melodic at times but tense / free form at others.

If you haven't listened to these and enjoy this genre, you owe it to yourself to audition these magical compositions.

Highly recommended.

I have the 2 CD set which was recorded in the 1990's. I think yours was recording in the 1960's and 70s?

astrotoy · Oct 19, 2016

The great Beethoven Quartet, for whom Shostakovich wrote many of the quartets, dedicating several to individual members of the quartet, has recordings of most of the series. Sound is dated, but these are the authentic performances. I also have the Borodin Quartet's set (mine only has Quartets 1-13 on vinyl EMI box) as well as the Fitzwilliam Quartet (on L'Oiseau Lyre vinyl). I should get the Alexander SQ's version!

Larry

microstrip · Oct 19, 2016

Which version have you got? The Borodin Quartet recorded the Shostakovich String Quartets integral more than once. I own the 1979 version (Melodyia, re-issued by EMI). The sound quality is very good - I have listened to them live and I find it manages to reproduce fairly well their full bodied sound, almost large than life in audiophile terms(!).

I listened to them in a particularly good auditorium for chamber music and my first reaction was astonishment by the way they managed to fill the hall.

BTW, any one appreciating the quartets should get the wonderful trios.

Bachtoven · Oct 21, 2016

I have the Borodin's and the Mandelring's complete set. The latter is a tiny bit less intense at times, but they accorded far better sound--theirs are SACD as individual discs, while, oddly enough, the complete set is RBCD. Here's an excerpt from a recording session:

MadFloyd · Oct 21, 2016

The Mandelring sound quality is incredible on redbook.

andolink · Nov 3, 2016

The Pacifica Quartet cycle on Cedille is currently my favorite for both performances and sound.

astrotoy · Nov 3, 2016

rbbert said:
The Borodin Quartet's has been generally acknowledged as the benchmark performance for the cycle. For a somewhat different approach I really like the Alexander Quartet, who also recorded some odds and ends to be included in their set.

I saw the Alexander SQ last Thursday and told them about your comment. They were very pleased! They have a brand new CD out of the last four Mozart SQ's, recorded in May and June of this year at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley.

Larry

thedudeabides · Nov 5, 2016

microstrip said:
Which version have you got?

Micro, Melodiya, recorded 1981. Reissued (remastered?) BMG Classics 74321 40712 - 40717 2.

Does anyone have this set and if so, what's your thoughts about sound quality versus other recordings?

LL21 · Nov 5, 2016

microstrip said:
Which version have you got? The Borodin Quartet recorded the Shostakovich String Quartets integral more than once. I own the 1979 version (Melodyia, re-issued by EMI). The sound quality is very good - I have listened to them live and I find it manages to reproduce fairly well their full bodied sound, almost large than life in audiophile terms(!). I listened to them in a particularly good auditorium for chamber music and my first reaction was astonishment by the way they managed to fill the hall.

BTW, any one appreciating the quartets should get the wonderful trios.

I understand they recorded one last year...have you heard it?

rbbert · Nov 5, 2016

I think that's just a hi-res reissue of one of their earlier recordings? No, I guess not; new members...

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Shostakovich 15 String Quartets

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