Shostakovich String Quartets

[San Antone]

Great sound, too boot, a few sniffs aside.

I noticed when listening to the Aviv Quartet recording that there was some noise in the background in a couple a spots (the 8th) - it sounded like a bow hitting a music stand, or a chair moving - something like that.  Hardly noticeable except when using earphones, and even then a minor thing, but worth mentioning.

[SonicMan46]

Mandelring SQ - just finishing my 'first' listen this Sunday morning; I guess that in part a preference for a 'style' of performance of these works will depend on whether one wants to feel/hear the composer's anger & suppressed emotions under the Soviet regime, which in my mind often brings out an edgier, strident, and rawer approach to the playing -  I prefer a more subdued performance which this group provides; NOW, there are plenty of moments of tension & angst here and the dynamics and recorded sounded is phenomenal, IMO.

Of course, I need multiple re-listens to this set and want to compare the recordings to those that I own w/ the Shosty SQ, which are more 'Russian' from the comments made in this thread and in reviews; I suspect that a collection needs both types of performances for these widely varied and emotional works?  My only other set (Rubio) is a notch down and I'll be looking at the the Alexander SQ (if these are boxed up @ a reduced price) & the Pacifica which I do enjoy in their other offerings.

For those still deciding or just getting started, the link that Ray (ChamberNut) gave not too long ago in this thread is an excellent start; some other reviews that I found discussing the Mandelring SQ more recently are listed below:

Jens - Volumes 1-3 & Vol. 5

Scott Morrison - Amazon - 5* rating.

Hurwitz - ClassicsToday - 10/10 rating.

 

[Karl Henning]

All right, then (and understanding that they are both right worthy): if a body had to choose one from between the Mandelrings and the Danel, which, and why?

Thank you in advance, any of you, who elect to participate in the question : )

[Sergeant Rock]

I think Jens may be the only member who is familiar with both Danel and Mandelring.

Sarge

[Karl Henning]

Thanks! I should have guessed ahead of the question, that there might be few to tackle it!

It's a tough 'un, for the Mandelrings have ardent fans in yourself, Sarge, and Jens. And the Danels, their no less passionate enthusiasts.

[betterthanfine]

Borodin, not just for the pathos they have, but also for the outright weirdness that they find in Shosty's soundworld.  Sort of like a circus inside and insane asylum.

Great description. Their sound is so raw and jarring at times, I love it.

[DavidW]

Thanks! I should have guessed ahead of the question, that there might be few to tackle it!

It's a tough 'un, for the Mandelrings have ardent fans in yourself, Sarge, and Jens. And the Danels, their no less passionate enthusiasts.

I like the Mandelrings too.  Sensuous playing.  They don't sound like fiery Russian music, but the world is large and there is room enough for more than one type of interpretation.

[jlaurson]

Mandelring SQ - just finishing my 'first' listen this Sunday morning;...

...some other reviews that I found discussing the Mandelring SQ:

Also, from live performances of a DSCH cycle of the Mandelring Quartet (Salzburg, 2011):


Notes from the 2011 Salzburg Festival ( 18 ) - Shostakovich Cycle


As per Danel vs. Mandelrings... well, they're different. Danels are much more tenacious, sinewy, brawny... so if you want to move further away from the interpretative line that Borodin II already offers, then I would go with Mandelring. If someone wavered between the two sets (and only those) as a FIRST set, then I would go against the Mandelrings (although I am emotionally indebted to them) and recommend Danel over them. I'd feel bad, but I'd also know that it'd be the right choice. Does that make sense?

[SonicMan46]

Also, from live performances of a DSCH cycle of the Mandelring Quartet (Salzburg, 2011):


Notes from the 2011 Salzburg Festival ( 18 ) - Shostakovich Cycle

Hi Jens - glad that you 'chimed in' to this thread - and thanks for the link; below just a quote from your review which I think better reflects what I was trying to say in my post.

I do have a question for those of us who may own more that one set of these works, e.g. a 'Russian oriented one' vs. another (for me the Shosty SQ vs. the Mandelrings); i.e. which of the quartets if you had just several to pick, would best show these 'differences' that seem to draw one's interest from one mode of performance to another?  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated - TIA!  Dave

The Mandelring Quartett offers more beauty and less gore in Shostakovich than one would expect if the only reference were the performances of the (all-Russian) "Borodin", "Beethoven", or "Shostakovich" Quartets. They accentuate surfaces more than spikes and corners; their rhythmic beat is propulsive but rarely maniacal. They are DSCH-seducers, not DSCH-enforcers... which is not to say that they can't work up an awesome storm.

[Karl Henning]

As per Danel vs. Mandelrings... well, they're different. Danels are much more tenacious, sinewy, brawny... so if you want to move further away from the interpretative line that Borodin II already offers, then I would go with Mandelring. If someone wavered between the two sets (and only those) as a FIRST set, then I would go against the Mandelrings (although I am emotionally indebted to them) and recommend Danel over them. I'd feel bad, but I'd also know that it'd be the right choice. Does that make sense?

I think so, and appreciate your answer. Thank you.

[Brian]

Hey, since so many people are keen on making December "Shosty quartet month," why don't we start a discussion club thread and those of us who decide to listen throughout December can have a nice long chat about what we're hearing. I'd be very happy to join the party, with the proviso that I would probably be one of those unimaginative people who starts with #1 and works forward. I've only heard 5 or 6 of the quartets but have the complete Borodin (Melodiya), the ongoing Pacifica, and one CD of Fitzwilliam (#s 8 and 9)...

[Dancing Divertimentian]

I noticed when listening to the Aviv Quartet recording that there was some noise in the background in a couple a spots (the 8th) - it sounded like a bow hitting a music stand, or a chair moving - something like that.  Hardly noticeable except when using earphones, and even then a minor thing, but worth mentioning.

Yeah, and more along those lines, just the other day I experienced probably the worst instance of noise intruding on a recording when pianist X while playing Mozart's hushed, mellow Adagio in B minor for solo piano sniffed so often the piece became nearly drowned in his aspirations.

And this while driving in my car!

[aukhawk]

I don't usually do 'complete' sets, but inspired by this thread, I went against the habit of a lifetime and sprung for a complete Quartets (plus Quintet) by the Sorrel Quartet, less than £20 from Classical Shop.

(I have to say, in passing, that the Classical Shop experience is not really recommendable - I had problems with the payment process, and more problems with the download process, and the files when downloaded need a lot of attention, renaming and re-tagging.  However a big plus side is that these particular files came down as 24-bit, which I was not expecting and which was very welcome.  Anyhow, on with the music ...)

Today I listened to No.8 (of course), 11, and the quintet which is a particular favourite.

No.8 is simply sensational.  I'm comparing it with my other two versions, the Borodins and the Eders.  I've simply never heard chamber music playing like this before.  Maybe 'visceral' is the word.  And I've never heard such a good chamber music recording before - in fact this is one of the best recordings I've ever heard. 
The transition from movt.1 to movt.2 is spectacular.  In movt.4, the staccato chords pin me to my seat while simultaneously the keening, suspended note somewhere down near the threshold of audibility, holds my attention.  Just gripping.  I won't be going back to the Borodins or the Eders after this!

11 was recorded at a different, earlier, session.  Here I have the Borodins and the Brodskys for comparison.  The Sorrels and the Brodskys seem fairly much on a par, to me, both very enjoyable.  The Sorrels recording still takes the prize but it's not as spectacular as in the (later recording) 8th.

The Quintet, again I have two to compare, the Borodins/Richter, and the St Petersburgs, which I like a lot.  (I also have a memory of a recording with the composer at the piano - maybe taped off the radio - which was by some margin the best of all.)  In this case the Sorrels don't really displace the other two versions.  To me, the piano is a bit too forward, and the strings a bit inhibited compared with the above two quartets.  The best movement is the 4th and it's no coincidence that this is a strings-led movement.

[Karl Henning]

I don't usually do 'complete' sets, but inspired by this thread, I went against the habit of a lifetime and sprung for a complete Quartets (plus Quintet) by the Sorrel Quartet, less than £20 from Classical Shop.

(I have to say, in passing, that the Classical Shop experience is not really recommendable - I had problems with the payment process, and more problems with the download process, and the files when downloaded need a lot of attention, renaming and re-tagging.  However a big plus side is that these particular files came down as 24-bit, which I was not expecting and which was very welcome.  Anyhow, on with the music ...)

Today I listened to No.8 (of course), 11, and the quintet which is a particular favourite.

No.8 is simply sensational.  I'm comparing it with my other two versions, the Borodins and the Eders.  I've simply never heard chamber music playing like this before.  Maybe 'visceral' is the word.  And I've never heard such a good chamber music recording before - in fact this is one of the best recordings I've ever heard. 
The transition from movt.1 to movt.2 is spectacular.  In movt.4, the staccato chords pin me to my seat while simultaneously the keening, suspended note somewhere down near the threshold of audibility, holds my attention.  Just gripping.  I won't be going back to the Borodins or the Eders after this!

11 was recorded at a different, earlier, session.  Here I have the Borodins and the Brodskys for comparison.  The Sorrels and the Brodskys seem fairly much on a par, to me, both very enjoyable.  The Sorrels recording still takes the prize but it's not as spectacular as in the (later recording) 8th.

The Quintet, again I have two to compare, the Borodins/Richter, and the St Petersburgs, which I like a lot.  (I also have a memory of a recording with the composer at the piano - maybe taped off the radio - which was by some margin the best of all.)  In this case the Sorrels don't really displace the other two versions.  To me, the piano is a bit too forward, and the strings a bit inhibited compared with the above two quartets.  The best movement is the 4th and it's no coincidence that this is a strings-led movement.

Very interesting. Thanks for joining the party!

[aukhawk]

I'm looking forward to hearing some more - I'll probably try 5 and 15 next - but I do find, with string quartets in general and with Shostakovich (and Bartok) in particular, that a little goes a long way!   
I have to sooth the spirit with plenty of Bach in between ...

[Karl Henning]

Nothing at all wrong with mixing things up, keeping the palate clear, so to say....

[NJ Joe]

Interested in purchasing a complete set of Shostakovich quartets, I searched the forum and found this thread.  Inspired by the comments, I ordered the Fitzwilliam set on Amazon for about $17 USD including shipping.  The Borodin set is a bit hard to come by, however, there is an iTunes download available for $59.99.  My trigger finger is itching...

[Brahmsian]

Interested in purchasing a complete set of Shostakovich quartets, I searched the forum and found this thread.  Inspired by the comments, I ordered the Fitzwilliam set on Amazon for about $17 USD including shipping.  The Borodin set is a bit hard to come by, however, there is an iTunes download available for $59.99.  My trigger finger is itching...

Joe, that is a great set.  I hope you will really enjoy it, as I do.  I also have the Borodin (cow and violin) set, and the complete Eder Quartet set on Naxos.  Wouldn't want to be without any of these 3 sets.

[NJ Joe]

Joe, that is a great set.  I hope you will really enjoy it, as I do.  I also have the Borodin (cow and violin) set, and the complete Eder Quartet set on Naxos.  Wouldn't want to be without any of these 3 sets.

Thank you, I'm really looking forward to it!

[Karl Henning]

The Pacifica Quartet!