Vissarion Shebalin - String Quartet No. 4 in G minor Op. 29

Vissarion Shebalin

(1902 – 29 May 1963) was a Soviet composer.

String Quartet No. 4 in G minor Op. 29

I Allegro
II Andante - 9:35
III Vivo (Alla marcia) - 15:49
IV Andante - Allegro - 20:36
Krasni Quartet
Anton Shelepov, violin
Alexandra Zubova, viola
Boris Vainer, viola
Alexei Shestiperov, cello
String Quartet No.4 in g dates from 1940 and is dedicated to the memory of Sergei Taneiev. It begins with an Allegro which is more leisurely than fast. A languid, reflective Andante comes next and is followed by a very effective Vivo, alla marcia, the main section is played entirely pizzicato. A contrasting and mysterious trio compliments this excellent movement. The Andante—Allegro which concludes the quartet begins with a somber introduction to the quicker main section. The first theme is a quote from Taneyev. (The String Trio in D) However, the music does not sound like that composer. It is, an eclectic mix of the major elements from the late 19th century through the mid 20th. Throughout this impressive movement, one can hear themes of both Borodin and Gliere, though filtered through the prism of Russian modernism.