After being subjected to public attacks by the Soviet regime in the mid-1930s, Shostakovich sought new avenues of self-expression by turning to chamber music, and the string quartet became for him the perfect medium for private confession. To launch their complete Shostakovich cycle, members of the Cuarteto Casals offer deeply insightful readings of the first five quartets-works that are pivotal in the composer's oeuvre.

Track List

1. Shostakovich: String Quartet No. 1 in C Major Op. 49: I. Moderato
2. Shostakovich: String Quartet No. 1 in C Major Op. 49: II. Moderato
3. Shostakovich: String Quartet No. 1 in C Major Op. 49: III. Allegro Molto
4. Shostakovich: String Quartet No. 1 in C Major Op. 49: IV. Allegro
5. Shostakovich: String Quartet No. 2 in a Major Op. 68: I. Overture. Moderato Con Moto
6. Shostakovich: String Quartet No. 2 in a Major Op. 68: II. Recitative ; Romance. Adagio
7. Shostakovich: String Quartet No. 2 in a Major Op. 68: III. Valse. Allegro
8. Shostakovich: String Quartet No. 2 in a Major Op. 68: IV. Theme ; Variations. Adagio
9. Shostakovich: String Quartet No. 4 in D Major Op. 83: I. Allegretto
10. Shostakovich: String Quartet No. 4 in D Major Op. 83: II. Andantino
11. Shostakovich: String Quartet No. 4 in D Major Op. 83: III. Allegretto
12. Shostakovich: String Quartet No. 4 in D Major Op. 83: IV. Allegretto
13. Shostakovich: String Quartet No. 3 in F Major Op. 73: I. Allegretto
14. Shostakovich: String Quartet No. 3 in F Major Op. 73: II. Moderato Con Moto
15. Shostakovich: String Quartet No. 3 in F Major Op. 73: III. Allegro Non Troppo
16. Shostakovich: String Quartet No. 3 in F Major Op. 73: IV. Adagio
17. Shostakovich: String Quartet No. 3 in F Major Op. 73: V. Moderato
18. Shostakovich: String Quartet No. 5 in B-Flat Major Op. 92: I. Allegro Non Troppo
19. Shostakovich: String Quartet No. 5 in B-Flat Major Op. 92: II. Andante
20. Shostakovich: String Quartet No. 5 in B-Flat Major Op. 92: III. Moderato