Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
They are known as the musical diary of Dmitri Shostakovich: his 15 string quartets. To mark the 50th anniversary of the Russian composer's death, the acclaimed Jerusalem Quartet has recorded the complete cycle anew, delving deeply into one of the most significant works in the history of chamber music.
Between 1938 and 1974, Shostakovich composed fifteen string quartets, often regarded as his most personal works. Unlike many of his famous symphonies, they were written away from the grand political stage. In them, the composer explored personal crises, loss, hope and the challenges of life in the Soviet Union.
In this film, the members of the Jerusalem Quartet talk about their special relationship with Shostakovich's music. Musicians Alexander Pavlovsky, Sergei Bresler, Ori Kam and Kyril Zlotnikov explain why the quartets continue to fascinate audiences today and why they see many of these works as a kind of musical autobiography of the composer.
The film focuses on the String Quartet No. 2, written in 1944 during the Second World War, the emotionally charged String Quartet No. 7, dedicated to Shostakovich's late wife Nina, and String Quartet No. 9, dedicated to his third wife, Irina.
The Jerusalem Quartet was founded in Israel in 1993 and made its debut in 1996. Today, it is regarded as one of the world's leading chamber music ensembles. Its repertoire spans from composers from Haydn, Mozart and Schubert to Brahms, Debussy, Ravel and Shostakovich. The musicians regard Shostakovich's music, in particular, as an important part of their cultural and musical identity.
The film explores how closely Shostakovich's works are intertwined with the political and social upheavals of the 20th century while also addressing timeless questions: How do we preserve our humanity in difficult times? How can art express pain, memory and hope?
We met the musicians of the Jerusalem Quartet on the sidelines of their concert at the Beethovenfest Bonn 2025.
Report by Anastassia Boutsko
© 2026 DEUTSCHE WELLE
Watch more fascinating documentaries: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_SdnzPd3eBUu43Xaa5AYyL7MruoJ42WD
and more portraits of interesting musicans: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_SdnzPd3eBUGCdoVYLjdUZa_L1OU6tMD
Subscribe to DW Classical Music: youtube.com/dwclassicalmusic
#beethoven #belarus #musicdocumentary
They are known as the musical diary of Dmitri Shostakovich: his 15 string quartets. To mark the 50th anniversary of the Russian composer's death, the acclaimed Jerusalem Quartet has recorded the complete cycle anew, delving deeply into one of the most significant works in the history of chamber music.
Between 1938 and 1974, Shostakovich composed fifteen string quartets, often regarded as his most personal works. Unlike many of his famous symphonies, they were written away from the grand political stage. In them, the composer explored personal crises, loss, hope and the challenges of life in the Soviet Union.
In this film, the members of the Jerusalem Quartet talk about their special relationship with Shostakovich's music. Musicians Alexander Pavlovsky, Sergei Bresler, Ori Kam and Kyril Zlotnikov explain why the quartets continue to fascinate audiences today and why they see many of these works as a kind of musical autobiography of the composer.
The film focuses on the String Quartet No. 2, written in 1944 during the Second World War, the emotionally charged String Quartet No. 7, dedicated to Shostakovich's late wife Nina, and String Quartet No. 9, dedicated to his third wife, Irina.
The Jerusalem Quartet was founded in Israel in 1993 and made its debut in 1996. Today, it is regarded as one of the world's leading chamber music ensembles. Its repertoire spans from composers from Haydn, Mozart and Schubert to Brahms, Debussy, Ravel and Shostakovich. The musicians regard Shostakovich's music, in particular, as an important part of their cultural and musical identity.
The film explores how closely Shostakovich's works are intertwined with the political and social upheavals of the 20th century while also addressing timeless questions: How do we preserve our humanity in difficult times? How can art express pain, memory and hope?
We met the musicians of the Jerusalem Quartet on the sidelines of their concert at the Beethovenfest Bonn 2025.
Report by Anastassia Boutsko
© 2026 DEUTSCHE WELLE
Watch more fascinating documentaries: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_SdnzPd3eBUu43Xaa5AYyL7MruoJ42WD
and more portraits of interesting musicans: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_SdnzPd3eBUGCdoVYLjdUZa_L1OU6tMD
Subscribe to DW Classical Music: youtube.com/dwclassicalmusic
#beethoven #belarus #musicdocumentary
