Shostakovich - Piano Quintet in G minor, Op. 57 - Part 1/5

Piano Quintet in G minor, Op. 57 (1940) I. Prelude: Lento II. Fugue: Adagio III. Scherzo: Allegretto IV. Intermezzo: Lento V. Finale: Allegretto Composer: Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) Performers: Amati Quartet Bruno Canino (piano) Picture: Shostakovich with the musicians of Glazunov quartet of Lukashevsky - Ginsburg - Rivkin - Mogilevsky in January 1941 As with much of Shostakovich’s music the Piano Quintet is an historical reflection of its time. It is a gravely serene piece marked by a simplicity of texture, especially in the piano writing: lines are doubled two octaves below, and there is little complex inter-part composition. All of this provides clarity, and an ample accessibility reflected in the popularity of the work immediately after its premiere. Rostislav Dubinsky, original first violinist of the Borodin Quartet recalls in his book, Not By Music Alone: “For a time the Quintet overshadowed even such events as the football matches between the ma