Shostakovich's String Quartet No. 15, his final quartet, is one of his most intimate works and is directly concerned with the theme of death, akin to a Requiem.
Composition History
Shostakovich dedicated his String Quartet No. 13 to Vadim Borisovsky, the violist of the Beethoven String Quartet, who had participated in the premieres of his quartets 2 to 10.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded in the St Petersburg Recording Studio in December 2000 and January 2001.
Composition History
Shostakovich dedicated his String Quartet No. 11 to Vasili Pyotrovich Shirinsky, the original second violinist of the Beethoven String Quartet, who had recently passed away.
Compositional Technique
Shostakovich's String Quartet No. 13 is composed in one continuous movement, making it the only single-movement quartet in his entire output.
Composer Biography
In his final years, Shostakovich's health deteriorated due to a heart condition and chain-smoking, leading to a preoccupation with his own mortality in his music.
Compositional Technique
Shostakovich's String Quartet No. 11 links seven separate short movements, a structural homage to the string quartet genre's roots, unified by an emotional plan.
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