The final volume of an outstanding quartet cycle by one of today's most exciting Italian ensembles.

Founded in 2011, the Quartetto Noûs has been playing Shostakovich since their first concerts together. Their performances, both in concert and on record, are characterized by intensive study and complete identification with the scores. They are risk-taking, profound performances, as many critics have acknowledged, which do justice to the edgy intensity of the music itself. The Quartetto Noûs has saved Shostakovich's first and last attempts in the quartet genre until last. The juxtaposition is captivating, though it's worth bearing in mind that the First Quartet does not represent 'early' Shostakovich and shares neither the wild energy nor the enormous brilliance of works from the composer's youth, such as the First Symphony. In fact, the smoothly crafted opening of the First Quartet from 1938 reflects its Op. 49 designation in his catalog: this is a composer who has seen and suffered much and understood how to translate experience into sound in densely constructed forms.

In the four movements of the First Quartet, each lasting 15 minutes, there is nevertheless no lack of his biting wit and poker face. Such qualities still characterize the profile of the last three quartets, from the end of the composer's life onwards. By this time his health was failing and his movement restricted. The economy of means is as remarkable as the vast emotional terrain these works cover. The instrumental cry at the end of the 13th Quartet is as sombre and terrifying as almost anything in 20th century music.

The 14th is a final and towering example of Shostakovich, the black humorist in the tradition of Mussorgsky, while the 15th gives the lie to his form of six slow movements with the sharpest pen; he retained his talent for telling stories and shaping melodies, even with fewer notes than ever before.

The previous parts of this Shostakovich cycle by the Quartetto Noûs were highly praised by international critics:

"This recording by the Quartetto Noûs is exceptionally good." (MusicWeb International)

"A cycle to follow ... a tonal palette more usually found in Tchaikovsky contributes to a rich and sympathetic characterization." (The Strad)

- This new 2-CD set is the final installment of the complete Shostakovich string quartets by the Italian Quartetto Noûs and includes Quartets Nos. 1, 13, 14 and 15.

- Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) is undoubtedly one of the most famous and influential composers of 20th century Russia. He lived in a time of Soviet repression, and although outwardly a loyal communist, he resented the regime's restrictions on his creativity. This led to a fascinating duality between conformism and the expression of his innermost feelings, fears and anger.

- Shostakovich's 15 string quartets form an impressive body of work that traces the development of his style over the course of his life. They are the testimony of a tortured soul struggling to remain true to itself, expressed in anguish and desolation, but also in serenity and bliss.

- Quartetto Noûs, founded in 2011, has quickly established itself as one of the most interesting chamber music ensembles of its generation. Its haunting performances are the result of a professional training that combines the Italian tradition with the most influential European schools. The quartet studied with the Quartetto di Cremona, with Rainer Schmidt (Hagen Quartet), with Günter Pichler (Alban Berg Quartet) and with Heime Müller (Artemis Quartet).

- The first edition of the Shostakovich quartets by Quartetto Noûs for Brilliant Classics was enthusiastically received by the press. Musicweb writes: "This is one of the best recordings as it impressed me with the range and intensity of Shostakovich's genius. Recording of the month."