String Quartets (Complete)

Dmitri Shostakovich

String Quartet

Taneyev Quartet

late 60s and 70s Difficult to find.

Gil's top choice. They do a 'wonderful job of capturing the character of these works.' There's a certain 'reserve' to their interpretations that works wonderfully, creating a chilling effect.

Borodin Quartet

1960s

Really famous versions. Very dramatic and soulful, they 'have the character down.' Gil finds slightly more intensity in these late 60s recordings than their later ones.

Sello: Melodiya/EMI

Fitzwilliam Quartet

1970s Wonderful sound.

If you want to hear these quartets played and recorded beautifully, you want this. Very communicative and beautifully played with wonderful technical skill.

Beethoven Quartet

mid-50s to mid-70s

The quartet that knew Shostakovich the best and premiered most of the works. They have this 'really earthy Russian rhythm' and character. A reference version.