This Quartet's key of F Sharp major is traditionally associated with transcendence and radiance and this almost whimsical work is the most accessible of Shostakovich's darker late quartets. This quartet has stronger melodic lines than the Thirteenth Quartet, is less intense but also contains twelve tone rows. This is the last of the "Quartet of Quartets" which had begun with his Eleventh String Quartet. Each had been dedicated to one of the original members of the Beethoven String Quartet, a quartet that was to premire all of Shostakovich's string quartets except the first and last. This quartet was dedicated to its cellist Sergei Petrovich Shirinsky (1903 - 1974) whom Shostakovich had known since 1926. Just as the Thirteenth Quartet had given full reign to the viola, it is the cello which dominates in this quartet.

This edition contains the full score. Published by DSCH.

Difficulty: 5

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