String Quartets, Vol. 4 (2CD)

http://www.renaud-bray.com

http://www.renaud-bray.com

*** Résumé en anglais seulement ***This new 2-CD set is the last installment of the complete Shostakovich String Quartets by the Italian Quartetto Noûs, featuring the quartets numbers 1, 13, 14 and 15. Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) is without doubt one of the most famous and influenti- al composers of 20th century Russia. He lived in a time of Soviet repression and, though outwardly a loyal communist, he resented the restrictions imposed by the regime on his creativity. This led to a fascinating duality between conformism and the expression of his most innermost feelings, fears and anger. Shostakovich’s 15 String Quartets form an impressive body which follows the development of his style throughout his life. They are the testimony of a tortured soul struggling to remain true to himself, expressed in anguish and bleakness, but also in serenity and bliss. Quartetto Noûs, formed in 2011, has established itself in a short time as one of the most interesting chamber music ensembles of its generation. Its immersive performances are the result of a professional training where the Italian tradition and the most influential European schools are combined. The quartet studied with the Quartetto di Cremona, with Rainer Schmidt (Hagen Quartet), with Günter Pichler (Alban Berg Quartet) and with Heime Müller (Artemis Quartet). The first volume of the Shostakovich Quartets by Quartetto Noûs for Brilliant Classics was hailed enthusiastically by the press. Musicweb writes:” This is one of the best as it left me in awe of the breadth as well as the intensity of Shostakovich’s genius, recording of the month”.