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Sentimental Work: Krysia Osostowicz on Shostakovich’s String Quartet no.15

2025-11-07T10:17:00

Brodsky Quartet_055

For the British violinist, Shostakovich’s String Quartet no.15 calls to mind a moving Menuhin rehearsal and her initiation into the Brodsky Quartet

Shostakovich’s String Quartet no.15 is a dark piece, but I find its darkness filled with radiance. In all the late Shostakovich quartets, the darker they are, the more illuminating are the shafts of light that burst through. The 15th contains some very violent, grim and scary passages but it has an incredible depth that I find absolutely special. Like Schubert’s music, it can be joyful and sorrowful at the same time…

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