Streichquartette Nr. 7, 8 & 9 cover

Streichquartette Nr. 7, 8 & 9

Dmitri Shostakovich · 1989

59 min · 13 tracks · opera

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Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental
94 /100
Summit
Higher than 100% of albums we've rated

The three quartets pair sharply individual forms with recurring musical signatures; their ordered sequence sustains momentum from No. 7’s brevity to No. 9’s expansive close.

What we noticed

  • No. 7 compresses its argument into three movements, ending with a brisk Allegro after a slow central Lento.
  • No. 8 has five connected movements framed by Largo sections; its recurring DSCH motif binds abrupt shifts in pace and character.
  • No. 9 expands to five movements, moving from a measured opening through two Adagios and an Allegretto to a fast finale.
Composition 25% of the score
9/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
9/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
8/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 String Quartet No. 7 in F-sharp minor, Op. 108: I. Allegretto 3:52
  • 2 String Quartet No. 7 in F-sharp minor, Op. 108: II. Lento 3:30
  • 3 String Quartet No. 7 in F-sharp minor, Op. 108: III. Allegro 5:57
  • 4 String Quartet No. 8 in C minor, Op. 110: I. Largo 4:48
  • 5 String Quartet No. 8 in C minor, Op. 110: II. Allegro molto 2:49
  • 6 String Quartet No. 8 in C minor, Op. 110: III. Allegretto 4:04
  • 7 String Quartet No. 8 in C minor, Op. 110: IV. Largo 5:26
  • 8 String Quartet No. 8 in C minor, Op. 110: V. Largo 4:00
  • 9 String Quartet No. 9 in E-flat major, Op. 117: I. Moderato con moto 4:29
  • 10 String Quartet No. 9 in E-flat major, Op. 117: II. Adagio 4:21
  • 11 String Quartet No. 9 in E-flat major, Op. 117: III. Allegretto 4:17
  • 12 String Quartet No. 9 in E-flat major, Op. 117: IV. Adagio 2:34
  • 13 String Quartet No. 9 in E-flat major, Op. 117: V. Allegro 9:36

What to play next

Symphony no. 15 / October / Overture on Russian and Kirghiz Folk Themes
Listen next

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1989
Shostakovich: Violin Concerto no. 1 / Prokofiev: Violin Concerto no. 2
Go back to

Shostakovich: Violin Concerto no. 1 / Prokofiev: Violin Concerto no. 2

1989
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Reference: MusicBrainz