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Audio Samples
Album Summary
Performer
Roger Woodward (Piano)
Notes & Reviews:
Captured here, on three discs, is the first half of the Alexander String Quartet's complete Shostakovich cycle. Superbly recorded at the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 2005-06, this exquisite collection contains the first seven quartets, the Piano Quintet with legendary Australian pianist Roger Woodward, and two exceptional transcriptions for string quartet by ASQ's first violinist of a pair of the piano Preludes and Fugues from Op. 87 (1950–51). Spanning roughly the period from 1937–1960, this beautiful collection is accompanied by superb liner notes from musicologist Eric Bromberger.
"The sharpness of the contrasts come across like physical blows with the Alexander Quartet, and there is a steely edge to their sound in some sections which can be quite unsettling. There is great beauty, but no comfort in the exquisite dying moments of the conclusion." -Musicweb-International
"The Alexander is definitely on to something in its 2006 three-disc set of the first seven Shostakovich quartets plus his Piano Quintet and a pair of his Preludes and Fugues transcribed for string quartet... While one might reasonably prefer the energy of Borodin or the anxiety of the Beethoven quartets' performances, the power, terror, and grace of the Alexander Quartet's performance makes it in nearly every way the equal of its Soviet forbearers. Producer Judith Sherman has captured the sound of the Alexander Quartet with incredible fidelity and her recordings are every bit the equal of the best of the big labels." -All Music Guide
Reviews
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Works Details
Shostakovich, Dmitri : Quartet for Strings no 1 in C major, Op. 49 - Notes: American Academy of Arts & Letters, New York, NY (04/09/2005-04/11/2005)
- Running Time: 14 min. 18 sec.
- Period Time: Modern
- Written: 1938
Shostakovich, Dmitri : Quartet for Strings no 2 in A major, Op. 68 - Notes: American Academy of Arts & Letters, New York, NY (04/09/2005-04/11/2005)
- Running Time: 35 min. 42 sec.
- Period Time: Modern
- Written: 1944
Shostakovich, Dmitri : Quartet for Strings no 4 in D major, Op. 83 - Notes: American Academy of Arts & Letters, New York, NY (04/09/2005-04/11/2005)
- Running Time: 24 min. 24 sec.
- Period Time: Modern
- Form: Chamber Music
- Written: 1949
Sound, Recorded : Foghorn - Period Time: Contemporary
Shostakovich, Dmitri : Quartet for Strings no 3 in F major, Op. 73 - Notes: American Academy of Arts & Letters, New York, NY (04/09/2005-04/11/2005)
- Running Time: 31 min. 25 sec.
- Period Time: Modern
- Written: 1946
Shostakovich, Dmitri : Quintet for piano & strings in G minor, Op. 57 - Performer: Roger Woodward (Piano)
- Notes: American Academy of Arts & Letters, New York, NY (04/09/2005-04/11/2005)
- Running Time: 32 min. 10 sec.
- Period Time: Modern
- Form: Chamber Music
- Written: 1940
Shostakovich, Dmitri : Prelude & Fugue for piano no 20 in C minor, Op. 87/20 - Notes: American Academy of Arts & Letters, New York, NY (04/09/2005-04/11/2005)
- Running Time: 9 min. 11 sec.
- Period Time: Modern
- Written: 1950-1951
Sound, Recorded : Foghorn - Period Time: Contemporary
Shostakovich, Dmitri : Quartet for Strings no 5 in B flat major, Op. 92 - Notes: American Academy of Arts & Letters, New York, NY (04/09/2005-04/11/2005)
- Running Time: 30 min. 44 sec.
- Period Time: Modern
- Written: 1952
Shostakovich, Dmitri : Quartet for Strings no 6 in G major, Op. 101 - Notes: American Academy of Arts & Letters, New York, NY (04/09/2005-04/11/2005)
- Running Time: 23 min. 17 sec.
- Period Time: Modern
- Written: 1956
Shostakovich, Dmitri : Quartet for Strings no 7 in F sharp minor, Op. 108 - Notes: American Academy of Arts & Letters, New York, NY (04/09/2005-04/11/2005)
- Running Time: 12 min. 56 sec.
- Period Time: Modern
- Written: 1960
Shostakovich, Dmitri : Prelude & Fugue for piano no 15 in D flat major, Op. 87/15 - Notes: American Academy of Arts & Letters, New York, NY (04/09/2005-04/11/2005)
- Running Time: 5 min. 33 sec.
- Period Time: Modern
- Written: 1950-1951
Sound, Recorded : Foghorn - Period Time: Contemporary
