Brodsky Quartet: Shostakovich – a musical pilgrimage
If you think Shostakovich isn’t your cup of tea, think again!
The Brodsky Quartet is with us for an entire weekend of mesmerising concerts covering the entire cycle of the composer’s 15 quartets. Their performances of these works has become an iconic once-in-a-lifetime experience for audiences worldwide. People say they come out ’emotionally drained,’ or feeling they’ve ’witnessed a life-changing event.’ Other audience members note that ‘the players gave unstintingly of their passion and energies, playing with a spirit so transformational you felt they were actually the improving the world’.
With eye-opening spoken introductions to each work to enhance your enjoyment of the cycle, the Brodskys truly bring the music to life: ’Hints on what to listen for proved invaluable – and the glow of genuine enthusiasm for Shostakovich’s music was infectious.’
Along with a carefully selected group of other partners throughout the UK and Europe, the Brodsky Quartet are delighted that Lichfield Festival has partnered with them in their ‘giving back’ tour of co-productions, marking the 50th anniversary of the composer’s death. Come along and be delighted, moved and surprised by this amazing human’s life journey.
‘’It was a wonderful weekend of music. Intensive, informative and beautiful. Thanks to the quartet for such wonderful performances, and to the Concert Club for facilitating it.”
”Thank you so much for facilitating this weekend’s superb Shostakovich cycle with the Brodsky Quartet. As an experienced musician and concert goer (not least in London and the Home Counties), I can say unequivocally that this is one of the best chamber music series I have ever experienced. A masterclass in string quartet playing! Bravo to all concerned…”
Whether you would like to join us for the whole of this special pilgrimage, or just come with us for part of the way, this is a Festival experience not to be missed.
Complete cycle, single day and single concert tickets are all available (see Events for more details):
BOOK FRIDAY JULY 5th
BOOK SATURDAY JULY 6th PASS
BOOK SUNDAY JULY 7th PASS
BOOK COMPLETE CYCLE PASS
About the Brodsky Quartet…
Since forming in 1972, the Brodsky Quartet have performed over 3,500 concerts on the major stages of the world and have released more than 70 recordings. Having recently celebrated their 50th anniversary, the Quartet continue to enjoy a busy international performing schedule and became Lichfield Festival Associate Artists in 2023.
Their contribution to this year’s programme offers a one-off opportunity to hear this most extraordinary of groups play the equally extraordinary complete Shostakovich String Quartets in Lichfield. From the first of these works (1938), a joyous ‘spring’ celebration written just after the birth of the composer’s son, to the last (1974), a towering commentary on life and death, this is a true musical journey spanning some of the most important events in Russian, European and world history.
The Brodsky Quartet have undertaken numerous performances of the complete cycles of quartets by Schubert, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Britten, Schoenberg, Zemlinsky, Webern and Bartók. It is, however, the complete Shostakovich cycle that has become synonymous with their name: their 2012 London performance of the complete string quartet cycle resulted in their taking the prestigious title ‘Artistic Associate’ at London’s Kings Place – a residency which lasted ten years, culminating in a triumphant repeat cycle there in 2022.
It therefore seems fitting that the legacy to their inimitable 50 years as a quartet has been to offer complete Shostakovich cycles around the world – including at our own Festival – allowing the full immersive experience to be accessible to all.
Photo: Sarah Cresswell