Shostakovich initially wrote his First String Quartet as an 'original exercise' in the form, not intending to publish it, but became captivated and finished it quickly.
Performer Biography
The Carducci String Quartet, an Anglo-Irish group, has performed complete Shostakovich quartet cycles and won international competitions, including the Concert Artists Guild International Competition 2007.
Performer Biography
The Carducci String Quartet received a Royal Philharmonic Society Award in 2016 for their performances of complete Shostakovich Quartets cycles.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded in Wyastone Concert Hall, Monmouthshire, UK, between June 12th and 14th, 2017.
Notable Performances
The Beethoven String Quartet premiered Shostakovich's Second String Quartet and would go on to premiere all his subsequent quartets except the last one.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Shostakovich dedicated his Second String Quartet to his colleague Vissarion Shebalin in honor of their twenty years of friendship.
Composition History
Shostakovich wrote his Second String Quartet in just 19 days in 1944 at a state-funded 'House of Rest and Creativity' in Ivanovo.
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