Alexander Glazunov - Suite for String Quartet Op. 35 (1887-91)

Alexander Konstantinovich Glazunov (Алекса́ндр Константи́нович Глазуно́в, 10 August 1865 – 21 March 1936) was a Russian composer, music teacher, and conductor of the late Russian Romantic period. He served as director of the Saint Petersburg Conservatory between 1905 and 1928 and was instrumental in the reorganization of the institute into the Petrograd Conservatory, then the Leningrad Conservatory, following the Bolshevik Revolution. He continued heading the Conservatory until 1930, though he had left the Soviet Union in 1928 and did not return.The best-known student under his tenure during the early Soviet years was Dmitri Shostakovich.

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Suite for String Quartet Op. 35 (1887-91)

1. Introduction et Fugue. Andante (0:00)
2. Scherzo. Allegro (7:28)
3. Orientale. Andante (12:35)
4. Tema. Con IV variazioni e I Alla Polacca (16:52)
5. Valse. Moderato assai (28:28)

Shostakovich Quartet

"The Suite for String Quartet was completed in 1891.The opening movement, Introduction and Fugue, begins with a lovely Andante which is reflective without being sad. Most of the rest of the movement is taken up by a fugue which is based on the same theme as that introduced in the Andante. Next comes a brilliant Scherzo, allegro. The use of quintuplets and trills passed from voice to voice creates an original and exciting effect. This is followed by an Orientale, Andante. The viola, a prescient choice, is given the haunting main theme to a strumming accompaniment. Both this melody and its rhythm are highly effective. The fourth movement is a theme and set of five variations: Tranquillo, Mistico, Scherzo, Pensieroso and Alla Polacca. The theme is Russian and appealing The second variation, Mistico, has a soft, high, muted tremolo accompaniment in the violins which serves to create a strong air of mystery. A lively and bright Scherzo serves as a palette cleanser while the final variation is a toe-tapping and rollicking ride. For his finale, Glazunov surprisingly chooses a Valse. It begins slowly enough but then becomes quite lively."—–Moise Shevitovsky writing in the Chamber Music Journal.