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Track Listings
| Disc: 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. I Moderato | |||
| 2. II Moderato | |||
| 3. III Allegro Molto | |||
| 4. IV Allegro | |||
| 5. I Allegretto | |||
See all 11 tracks on this disc
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| Disc: 2 | |||
| 1. I Allegretto | |||
| 2. II Andantino | |||
| 3. III Allegretto | |||
| 4. IV Allegretto | |||
| 5. I Allegretto Non Troppo | |||
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See all 11 tracks on this disc
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| Disc: 3 | |||
| 1. I Allegretto | |||
| 2. II Lento | |||
| 3. III Allegro-Allegretto | |||
| 4. I Largo | |||
| 5. II Allegro Molto | |||
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See all 20 tracks on this disc
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| Disc: 4 | |||
| 1. I Overture. Moderato Con Moto | |||
| 2. II Recitative And Romance. Adagio | |||
| 3. III Waltz. Allegro | |||
| 4. IV Theme With Variations. Adagio | |||
| 5. I Adante | |||
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See all 9 tracks on this disc
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
93 of 93 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is extraordinary ; possibly the finest-ever recordings of one of the greatest string quartet cycles, admittedly without the final two...
Impassioned and lyrical playing, and remarkably good value for money, also. Less edgy and less closely-miked than the at times intimidatingly fierce Emerson Quartet, this digitally-remastered version of a 70s recording is an essential buy for anyone who loves the Bartok Quartets and doesn't know where to start with Shostakovich. There is wit, humour, flawless musicianship and real drive here.
This music is more honest and personal than the symphonies, as well as richer and more harmonically daring. I have not heard a more heart-breakingly sad version of the Eighth, probably his best-known quartet ; immensely moving, even more so than the Fitzwilliam Quartet version. This version of the Eighth makes Barber's Adagio sound like adolescent self-pity ; this is grown-up grief, communicated by master musicians. Yes, I realise this may all sound over-the-top, but this music is serious medicine. I hadn't bought a single CD for three months, and then broke this musical fast with this box. There is enough here for many months ; I'll stop there, but could go on citing stunning moments from this set for many hundred words.
Somewhat shame-faced PS, added much later, to apologise for the rather mean sniping at the Barber Adagio ; it is indeed a fine peace of work, albeit less intense than the later Shostakovich quartets in particular.
Impassioned and lyrical playing, and remarkably good value for money, also. Less edgy and less closely-miked than the at times intimidatingly fierce Emerson Quartet, this digitally-remastered version of a 70s recording is an essential buy for anyone who loves the Bartok Quartets and doesn't know where to start with Shostakovich. There is wit, humour, flawless musicianship and real drive here.
This music is more honest and personal than the symphonies, as well as richer and more harmonically daring. I have not heard a more heart-breakingly sad version of the Eighth, probably his best-known quartet ; immensely moving, even more so than the Fitzwilliam Quartet version. This version of the Eighth makes Barber's Adagio sound like adolescent self-pity ; this is grown-up grief, communicated by master musicians. Yes, I realise this may all sound over-the-top, but this music is serious medicine. I hadn't bought a single CD for three months, and then broke this musical fast with this box. There is enough here for many months ; I'll stop there, but could go on citing stunning moments from this set for many hundred words.
Somewhat shame-faced PS, added much later, to apologise for the rather mean sniping at the Barber Adagio ; it is indeed a fine peace of work, albeit less intense than the later Shostakovich quartets in particular.
86 of 86 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
If one wonders why not all 15 Quartets the reason is that the purpose of the set is to present all the Shostakovich performances by the original members of the Borodin Quartet. By the early 1970's two members had left prior to recording the last 2.
Another clarification should also be made. The 2003/2004 edition of the Penguin Guide To Compact Discs lists these recordings as mono. They are definately Stereo. Makes one wonder if the editors of the guide actually listen to the stuff they review.
Another clarification should also be made. The 2003/2004 edition of the Penguin Guide To Compact Discs lists these recordings as mono. They are definately Stereo. Makes one wonder if the editors of the guide actually listen to the stuff they review.
These are intense and often powerful performances of perhaps the composer's most personal works. The Borodin's do not try to soften the impact as some recent recordings have but fully enter into the often unsettling soundscape that the composer adapted. Shostakovich's scoring is so tight that at times one would think there are more than four players and the Borodin's often create that illusion. These recordings from Melodyia have appeared on EMI but those transfers varied from good to barely acceptable. These new remasterings are very good and are a vast improvement over the prior issue. If you want a cd of quartets nos. 14 and 15 to be complete I would recommend a recording on Le Chant Du Monde (ASIN: B00004YU9C)by the Russian Glinka and Beethoven Quartets. Like the Borodin Quartet they both had a close reationship with the composer and the performances and recording are very good. Between the 3 of them you will expierence a level of true music making that is all too often being replaced by a fixation with technique and wardrobe. Go for the real thing.
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I have trawled through many cd versions of these string 4tets by various 4tets and can candidly offer the opinion that this Borodin cycle knocks spots off any of the opposition. They outshine the later cycle recorded for virgin even though missing a couple of the later 4tets.
The performances keep you on the edge of your seat, driving and dynamic - they are so convincing they make you look over your shoulder in case Stalin's heavies may come knocking on the door at anytime. The paranoia, fear and anxiety especially in the classic 8th are conveyed to full effect. In contrast the lighter aspects are also beautifully and skillfully played.
This is not a 'safe' recording, its sharp, grainy, highly musical and above all exciting. Highly recommended.
The performances keep you on the edge of your seat, driving and dynamic - they are so convincing they make you look over your shoulder in case Stalin's heavies may come knocking on the door at anytime. The paranoia, fear and anxiety especially in the classic 8th are conveyed to full effect. In contrast the lighter aspects are also beautifully and skillfully played.
This is not a 'safe' recording, its sharp, grainy, highly musical and above all exciting. Highly recommended.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A glorious set
Many great composers wrote their - arguably - finest music as chamber music : Schubert , Brahms , Dvorak and Chostakovitch . Certainly their most " personal" music . Read more
Published 8 months ago by Luc Colpaert
Insanely good value
I'm shocked that this astonishing music is, essentially, being sold at bin-end prices.
Shostakovich redefined the string quartet, and he may have been forced to do so. Read more
Shostakovich redefined the string quartet, and he may have been forced to do so. Read more
Published on 24 Jan 2010 by Mr. P. M. Doubleday
music
my grandson was over the moon with the cd, it was just what he wanted.
Published on 27 Oct 2009 by Mrs. J. E. Cuff
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