All by itself, Vol. 6 of the
Sorrel Quartet's recordings of the string quartets of
Shostakovich is an impressive achievement. Taken in context of the complete cycle, this achievement is even more impressive. The
Sorrel Quartet is a smart, strong, and sensitive ensemble with a sympathetic understanding of
Shostakovich's style, and its performances go to the heart of
Shostakovich's music. Sometimes the
Sorrel's performances may seem a tad too emotional -- the opening Lento of the bonus Piano Quintet is deeply depressed, the central theme and variations of the First Quartet is mighty melancholy, and the closing Allegretto of the Twelfth Quartet is awfully excited -- but these interpretations are well within the extremely wide emotional range of
Shostakovich's music. Although listeners unfamiliar with his quartets might want to start with the
Borodin Quartet's late-'70s recordings, listeners who have already heard the
Borodin's cycle and are looking for a non-Russian alternative might try the
Sorrel's recordings. Chandos' 2005 sound is clean, warm, and close.