Live, Video: Find classical music concert, opera, ballet and dance reviews | English | String Quartet No. 8 in C minor "Malinconia", Op.110

The combined forces of the Gewandhaus and Boston Symphony unite under Andris Nelsons for a searing Leningrad Symphony, while the Quatuor Danel tackles the string quartets. 

A tasting menu of string quartet movements interspersed with readings made for an absorbing afternoon. 

Tchaikovsky’s Third and Shostakovich’s Eighth Quartets provide illuminating comparisons and contrasts in Ensemble 360’s ‘Russian Quartets’ recital. 

The Brodsky Quartet deliver deeply moving performances of all 15 Shostakovich string quartets, with added value and insight from writers Elizabeth Wilson and Marina Frolova-Walker. 

One would never had guessed that the Ébènes had not played Shostakovich's dark Eighth String Quartet before this tour, such was the way their performance transcended individual agony to address human despair in general.

JoAnn Falletta and the Buffalo Philharmonic's string players present intense Shostakovich and luminous Arensky in memorable performances.

From the claustrophobic intensity of Britten and Shostakovich to the sunny balm of Beethoven, this was an excellent recital. 

The Belcea Quartet gave us bleak despair in their Shostakovich, but joined by Antoine Tamestit, they also gave us joyful Mozart and life-affirming Brahms.

Performed chronologically in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, The Globe’s candlelit Jacobean theatre, the 15 Shostakovich string quartets made an astonishing impression in such concentrated form. 

The Borodin Quartet put on a showcase display of pure, rich tone and superbly unanimous playing at Sage Gateshead but their Shostakovich lacked bite.

The Borodin Quartet’s played two Shostakovich quartets, as well as Beethoven Op.131. From the very first notes onwards they captivated the audience with their elegant and well-balanced sound.

Edinburgh’s 1869 church of St George’s West is a fine example of the prolific output of local architect David Bryce (1803–76). On this particularly chilly evening (inside and out), it hosted an Edinburgh Quartet “Rush Hour Concert” which featured an interesting take on format and programming.

A pseudo-cinematic turn of events forced the world renowned Brodsky Quartet to pull out all the stops for their concert in Utrecht last Thursday evening. Continually in demand as interpreters of the standard string quartet repertoire as well as proponents of new music commissioned by living composers, the quartet has accumulated a wealth of original manuscripts for their personal catalogue.

Have you been to Kings Place yet? London’s newest concert hall opened in 2008 and is rapidly building a reputation as a vibrant cultural centre with a phenomenal acoustic and a friendly smile. If you haven’t been yet, I urge you to select a good programme – this weekend’s Shostakovich cycle with the Brodsky Quartet was ideal – and head to the concert hall at King’s Cross.

Opening the concert season at Leiden’s Stadsgehoorzaal was a beautiful concert of chamber music by two talented young string quartets: the Finzi Quartet and Quatuor Byron. On the program were string quartets by Haydn, Ravel and Shostakovich – an eclectic mix that turned out rather well. The absolute highlight of the evening was Shostakovich’s String Quartet No.

The concert featured a chamber group based in the West Country, the Ardeton Ensemble. Sarah Eales and Rebecca Harte, violins, Rachel Johnson, viola and Dury Loveridge, cello, with guest pianist Stephen Meakins, gave a balanced and enthusiastically received programme of works by three major composers.Beethoven’s first completed string quartet opened the evening.