Les Quinze Quatuors À Cordes

Released in 1985 by the French label Le Chant du Monde, this set compiles the fifteen string quartets of Dmitri Shostakovich performed by the Borodin String Quartet. The recording serves as a cornerstone of the Soviet chamber music repertoire, capturing the ensemble's long-standing professional and personal relationship with the composer. Throughout his life, Shostakovich often debuted his new quartets with the Borodin members, who studied the scores under his direct supervision to ensure the technical precision and emotional weight he intended.

The production reflects a significant period in Cold War-era cultural exchange, as Le Chant du Monde was instrumental in bringing authoritative Soviet performances to Western audiences. The Borodin String Quartet was lauded for its ability to balance the acerbic, ironic wit of Shostakovich’s middle-period works with the profound, melancholic introspection of his final compositions. This particular edition remains highly regarded by collectors for its historical authenticity and the technical mastery required to navigate the cycle’s immense psychological breadth.