ARTISTS
Emerson String Quartet

TRACKLISTING
SHOSTAKOVICH: Quartet No.1 in C major, Op.49
Quartet No.2 in A major, Op.68
Quartet No.3 in F major, Op.73
Quartet No.4 in D major, Op.83
Quartet No.5 in B flat major, Op.92
Quartet No.6 in G major, Op.101
Quartet No.7 in F sharp minor, Op.108
Quartet No.8 in C minor, Op.110
Quartet No.9 in E flat major, Op.117
Quartet No.10 in A flat major, Op.118
Adagio (Elegy)
Allegretto (Polka)
Quartet No.11 in F minor, Op.122
Quartet No.12 in D flat major, Op.133
Quartet No.13 in B flat minor, Op.138
Quartet No.14 in F sharp major, Op.142
Quartet No.15 in E flat minor, Op.144

ARTISTS
Elisabeth Söderström, soprano (op.79)
Julia Varady, soprano (Symphony 14)
Ortrun Wenkel, contralto (op.79 & 143a)
Ryszard Karczykowski, tenor (op.79)
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, baritone (Symphony 14)
Marius Rintzler, bass (Symphony 13)
London Philharmonic Choir*
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Gentlemen from the Choir of the Concertgebouw Orchestraª
Concertgebouw Orchestraº
Bernard Haitink

TRACKLISTING
SHOSTAKOVICH: Symphony No.1 in F minor, Op.10
Symphony No.3 in E flat major, Op.20 'The First of May'*
Symphony No.2 in B major, Op.14 'To October'*
Symphony No.10 in E minor, Op.93
Symphony No.4 in C minor, Op.43
Symphony No.5 in D minor, Op.47º
Symphony No.9 in E flat major, Op.70
Symphony No.6 in B minor, Op.54º
Symphony No.12 in D minor, Op.112 'The Year 1917'º
Symphony No.7 in C major, Op.60 'Leningrad'
Symphony No.8 in C minor, Op.65º
Symphony No.11 in G minor, Op.103 'The Year 1905'º
Symphony No.13 in B flat minor, Op.113 'Babi Yar'ºª
Symphony No.14, Op.135º
6 Poems of Marina Tsvetaeva, Op.143aº
Symphony No.15 in A major, Op.141
From Jewish Folk Poetry, Op.79º

2006 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Shostakovich.

Dmitri Shostakovich was born in St Petersburg on 25 September (12 September old style) 1906 and died in Moscow on 9 August 1975. As one of the most important figures in 20th century Soviet music (and indeed in 20th century music in general) much of his music is now a regular part of the repertory of the world's orchestras and chamber ensembles.

Shostakovich lived through some of the most significant political events of the 20th century and he was just eleven years old when the October Revolution took place in 1917. He witnessed the massive changes that took place in his homeland and the creation of the Soviet state. He was no stranger to controversy and was at odds with official doctrine at various times throughout his career and while he was obliged to follow the Party line he nevertheless maintained his artistic integrity throughout his life.

Shostakovich wrote music in all genres but it is for the 15 Symphonies and 15 String Quartets that he is held in the highest esteem and for which he produced some of his greatest works. This is music that on the one hand is very public, and on the other very private. In addition he wrote piano music and his crowning achievement in this area is his set of 24 Preludes and Fugues. Songs are an important part of his vocal output and there are cycles with orchestral accompaniment and some with piano.

Decca is releasing 5 sets of CDs which, also drawing on recordings from the Philips and Deutsche Grammophon catalogues, will make the majority of Shostakovich's music available in a series of genre-driven sets.

The first two sets to be released in this Shostakovich edition will be devoted to the String Quartets (Emerson String Quartet - 5 CDs) and the Symphonies (Concertgebouw / London Philharmonic / Bernard Haitink - 11 CDs).

Other sets will be devoted to the concertos, orchestral suites and chamber symphonies; piano music and other chamber works; song cycles (with orchestra or piano) and opera. The entire edition will occupy 35 CDs.