The String Quartets

Abstract

Shostakovich composed this work for the cellist of the Beethoven Quartet, the chamber group most commonly associated with his quartets during his lifetime, having premiered 13 of the 15 (Nos. 2-14). They would have introduced the last had Sergei Shirinsky, the quartet's cellist, not died shortly before the premiere was to take place. The String Quartet No. 14 is cast in three movements, and each features a prominent part for the cello.

The first movement is marked Allegretto and opens with a busy, somewhat menacing theme played by the cello in its lower ranges. The melody is then taken up by the first violin and then developed by the whole ensemble, whereupon the music divulges a strong sense of agitation. Another theme, a bit less animated, but otherwise of similar character, is introduced by the cello and soon the development section commences, wherein both themes are expanded upon. The ensuing reprise is only partial, with the cello playing the theme with which it opened the work.

The Adagio middle panel begins with the first violin introducing a melancholy theme in its lower ranges, after which the cello takes up the somber melody. Though the alternate theme, given by the cello to pizzicato accompaniment, divulges a somewhat brighter, even serene character, the overall mood of this movement is dark and sad.

The finale (Allegretto) begins without pause, as the first violin gently plays pizzicato, but with a sense of wandering and uncertainty. The ensemble then joins in, making a steady, soft rhythm of the notes, but soon the music intensifies with a dark theme played by the first violin. Rhythms turn anxious and the music seethes with tension until it finally relaxes for an eerie passage for cello and violin. Elements from the two previous movements are then recalled and the work ends quietly and serenely.