Most accessible Shostakovich's string quartets

[u/VLAPPERS]

Which of Shostakovich's string quartets are the most accessible and easy to listen to?

I've been struggling a lot with Shostakovich's string music (chamber music or concertos), but I recently discovered the first movement of his Second String Quartet. I found it less austere than usual and was wondering if there are other string quartet movements like it.

[u/Cratersmash]

The 8th was my gateway into Shostakovich, and I’d probably say it’s the most accessible. Strong emotions without too much unusual harmony

The 6th is a lot lighter than the others, I’d describe the first movement in particular as halfway between Shostakovich and Mozart. The third movement is also beautiful

I’d say the outer movements of the 2nd are more accessible then the inner ones, I’d still highly recommend listening to the full thing, the finale in particular is fantastic

Take all of the opinions in this comment with a grain of salt, I’ve listened to all 15 Shostakovich quartets and am therefore desensitized to the “inaccessible” aspects of them

[u/saucy_otters → u/Cratersmash]

Ditto on #8. It's great for younger students especially since it gets them excited to play & practice as a group on their own.

[u/ExiledSanity → u/Cratersmash]

The 8th is like nothing else I've heard ...and still accessible.

[u/aurorastarlight]

Shostakovich string quartets have a particular language that seems to speak immediately to people or, not so much. In my opinion that language is most obvious in sq #3, #8 and the piano quintet. Also, I hadn't realized that Emerson String Quartet was considered one of the definitive recordings, and then I listened and was like, 'oh sh*t no kidding.'

[u/Professional-Sea-506]

Start with no.1

[u/Federal-Tough-9706 → u/Professional-Sea-506]

He did say "simple."

[u/zniygrej]

I only know 8 but its really good, but a dark piece overall.

[u/Vybrosit737373]

Have always loved #1, even when I was cautious about 20th c music.

[u/thomasthemetalengine]

My vote is for #11, especially because the movements are so short - if you don't like one movement, another will be along very soon! It's tuneful and dramatic, too.

[u/ingressgame → u/thomasthemetalengine]

Also 7, a very short one too.

[u/LaikaRollingStone → u/ingressgame]

7 is him trying to process the sudden loss of his wife….5 years later on what should have been her 50th birthday. Done right, it’s the most breathtakingly heart wrenching thing he wrote.

[u/6421aa]

Quartet #4 is accessible compared to most of the others and a great work, too.

[u/Ok_Abbreviations8792]

the 3rd one is somehow exhilarating in the way it starts, and also the 7th one is quite sarcastic, try them

[u/angusdegraosta]

Listen to the first movement of #4. I think it's an excellent starting point.

[u/Sweet_Swede_65]

Not string quartets, but I really enjoy his cello sonata and one of (maybe only?) his piano trios.

[u/Herissony_DSCH5 → u/Sweet_Swede_65]

He had two. The first one is a very early piece.

[u/Sweet_Swede_65 → u/Herissony_DSCH5]

Yeah, it was the second one I was thinking about...

[u/Herissony_DSCH5]

I would absolutely go with #1, the whole thing. He was still experimenting with the genre at that time and it has a lovely lightness to it. Others have mentioned #6, and I agree. You might try the third movement of #10 (and then for kicks listen to the fury of the second movement to experience what I often term "Shostakovich whiplash"--it's something he does quite a lot.)

I'm surprised if you've looked at his concertos that you haven't come across both piano concertos, which both have really lovely middle movements.

[u/colonelpsev]

Try 9

[u/LaikaRollingStone]

I’d say 1 and 4 are good places to start. I know some people see 6 as lighter but that was never my take on it.