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Shostakovich Quartets: Intimate Portraits, Part 4

A series with the Carducci Quartet

,Milton Court Concert Hall
The Carducci Quartet in a forest, standing in a row holding their instruments

Four quartets unite to perform the Chamber Symphony enlargement of Shostakovich’s 8th quartet, crowning a programme including Firsova’s ardent, deftly-plotted Quartet No 4.

Composed in the ruins of war-devastated Dresden in just three days, Shostakovich’s Quartet No 8 (here in the upscaled version by Rudolf Barshai), is one of the most harrowing testaments in all 20th century music. Deploying his musical monogram DSCH at every turn, the composer wrote himself into it. The single-movement Quartet No 13, dedicated to violist Vadim Borovsky, gives eloquent voice to his instrument. Bartók’s music, heard in New York, fuels the 4th, written in memory of artist and set designer Pyotr Williams. Inspired by William Blake, Elena Firsova’s own 4th quartet proves ‘Amoroso’ by name and nature.

Shostakovich’s psychological shapeshifting is first nature to the Carduccis. ‘From the folk inspired First Quartet to the rarefied Fifteenth, the Carduccis have the full measure of his varied music’ (Seen and Heard International).

Tagged with: Classical music Shostakovich Young Barbican More...

This performance will end at approximately 9.30pm with a 20 minute interval

Produced by the Barbican

Programme

  • Dmitri Shostakovich   Quartet No 4
  •   Quartet No 13
  • Elena Firsova   Quartet No 4
  • Dmitri Shostakovich   Quartet No 8

Performers

  • Carducci Quartet  
  • Elmore Quartet  
  • Kyan Quartet  
  • Oculus Quartet  
  • Chris West   double bass

Digital programme

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Milton Court Concert Hall

Location
Milton Court Concert Hall is located within the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and is approximately a 5 minute walk from the Barbican entrance on Silk Street.  

Address
Milton Court
Silk St, London
EC2Y 9BH

Nearby public transport
We are within walking distance from a number of London Underground stations, the closest being Barbican, Old Street, St Paul’s and Moorgate. The nearest train stations are Liverpool Street and Farringdon. Bus Route 153 runs directly past the Barbican along Chiswell Street

Car and bicycle parking
We have free bicycle spaces and paid car parking spaces available