Shostakovich Quartets

BMG has them at a good sle price on DG with the Emerson Quartet. I've never heard any recordings of his Quartets and wondering if this set would be worth getting. Haven't heard the recording of the the 8th symphony w/Rostropovich/Teldec but his performance with the SFS Saturday night was awesome.

The Emerson does really good things with these quartets, IMO.

Where do you see their sale price? When I log in I see it priced at $85, which is full price for a 5-disc set.

Yes, the Emerson set is very good...

I think you will like both the Emerson version of the quartets (I also like the much cheaper version by the Borodin Quartet on Melodiya) and the Rostropovich 8th on Teldec. The interpretation of the 8th is very similar to his performance by the SFS (I heard the Friday night concert). Another good 8th that I would recommend is the one by Mravinsky/Leningrad PO on Philips.

In their current 'Encore' mailing, in the accompanying sales booklet on box sets, listed the set for 34.98 as well as Furtwangler/Tristan 20.98. I've ordered both and hope those will be the prices I'm billed for, as the order form shows no 'Sale' section to list the requested number (selection).

I have not been able to find a Mravinsky/S8 on any label currently available. I've checked MDT, Amazon (US & UK). When was the one on Phillips recorded? Also Rostropovich does an 8th in an emi set called 'Slava 75.' Anyone know what orchestra

It was recorded c. 1982, a live performance, but be aware that the Philips issue is pitched sharp. The same performance was issued on a Russian Disc CD, I believe at the proper pitch. Both are probably OOP by now. The BMG/Melodiya Mravinsky edition has another S8, from the late 40s or 50s, as I recall.

recorded c. 1982, a live performance, but be aware that the

Correct. 1947, to be precise. Haven't heard the later Philips and/or Russian Disc version, but in my experience, you can hardly go wrong with Mravinsky doing Shostie.

Re the quartets, I have very limited experience, but on vinyl the most impressive group I've heard is the Beethoven Quartet of Moscow. Unfortunately, I don't have them all on LP, and CDs haven't been easy to find either

I'm pretty happy with these quartets.

It was so awesome that the crowd sat stunned for a few moments before giving a standing ovation, the first I've ever seen for a guest conductor. The Classical symphony in the opening set was very well executed too, IMO. Truly a mind blowing night at the symphony!

FWIW, a cycle of the quartets is being performed at the Herbst theatre: http://www.performances.org/tickets/tickets.asp

One of the things I was aware of was the warm-ish sound of the orchestra with Rostropovich. I also loved when he went to all the risers to have the sections take their bows and the affection MR showed. It seems to me the sound MTT gets is crisp, precise almost.