Shostakovich; Miaskovsky: The Soviet Experience Vol 1 – review

Dmitri Shostakovich's 15 string quartets are seen as the true inner voice of the man forever harried by the Soviets. The premieres of his 15 symphonies were major political events, but in his chamber music he could afford real personal reflection on life under the comrades. This is the first volume of the Chicago-based Pacifica Quartet 's exciting exploration of the cycle, tackling Nos 5 to 8 and coupling them with Nikolai Miaskovsky's quartet No 13. Its release coincides with their electrifying performances at Wigmore Hall last week. Listen to these and you'll wish you had been there.