INDELIBLE VISIONS
OF A TROUBLED WORLD

BILL NEWMAN discusses the Emersons' new recording
of the complete Shostakovich works for string quartet

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Past integral recordings of the quartets are worthy of mention: In the 70s the Borodin Quartet made their first recording of 1 thru to 13, the Beethoven Quartet adding 14 and 15. Differences between the fuller-toned Borodin's approach and the leaner, keen-edged Beethoven's style of playing are immediately apparent. When the Borodins re-recorded the whole cycle (late 70s-early 80s) there was much talk of authenticity in many quarters, although I suspected that Valentin Berlinsky, founder member cellist, close friend and working colleague of Shostakovich had a strong say in the style of interpretation, overall. Their indispensible recorded studio performances together with the Piano Quintet (Sviatoslav Richter) and Two Pieces for String Octet come on BMG/RCA 74321 (a 6 CD box set). The Shostakovich Quartet (Olympia OCD531-5, recorded 1978-88, available separately or in a slip case) are a younger ensemble whose performances have a virile quality, sometimes at the expense of exceeding correct speeds. The rather glacial, otherwise clear recording (Moscow Radio Broadcasting House) lacks certain mid-range definition, although consumers quickly acquired individual disc releases as they appeared. They include the Two Pieces for String Quartet Op.36: Elegy & Polka (The Age of Gold ballet), as the Emersons do in their more logical, straight-forward sequence for Deutsche Grammophon [listen, CD 4 track 2, 1:01 - 1:46].

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