Jerusalem Quartet: Shostakovich

The Strad Issue: March 2025

Description: Grittily human readings of music close to this ensemble’s heart

Musicians: Jerusalem Quartet

Works: Shostakovich: String Quartets: no.2 in A minor op.68, no 7 in F sharp minor op.108, no.10 in A flat major op.118

Catalogue number: BIS BIS-2654 (SACD)

The Overture of Shostakovich’s Second String Quartet is a brilliant romp, surging forward on a wave of rhythmic energy, with closely observed markings: the Jerusalem makes much of the composer’s hairpins, accents and staccatos. First violinist Alexander Pavlovsky develops the opening recitative of the second movement with growing emotional power, even as the dynamics take him down to a barely discernible pp. The Waltz is fleet and spectral, and the players build up a great head of steam before the enchanting Allegro non troppo.

The opening of the Seventh Quartet is clipped, chilly and precise, the staccato quavers dry before being leavened by Pavlovsky’s clear beauty of tone in the melody. In the Lento, cellist Kyril Zlotnikov and, later, violist Ori Kam shape the long, slow melodic line with mournful expression. The Allegro fugue has relentless energy and grim vehemence, as well as focused tone and textural clarity, while its closing Allegretto gives an understated bleakness.

The spare textures in the Andante of the Tenth Quartet are all but colourless. The Allegro furioso second movement is full of tension, its staccatos almost vicious, with more contrast in the Adagio, which is warming and gentle, before subsiding into its final threnody. The finale builds steadily: its central section properly vehement, and the close delicate. The recording is clear and balanced.

TIM HOMFRAY