The Complete String Quartets, Vol. 1 (Nos. 1-5)

First Pressing Label: Red with black type except for record logos in white. Label has black stars and a circle around the border Original Borodin String Quartet recordings as released by Melodiya in 1967: These performances were then issued in the west by Melodiya/Seraphim. This the first volume. The second volume is: Around the time these recordings were released, Shostakovich completed two more quartets. These were recorded and released in 1972: This new set of the "Complete Quartets" was issued in the west by Melodiya/His Master's Voice in 1974: This original set of 13 quartets was remastered and reissued by Chandos in 2003: The original quartet lost due to ill health in 1974, followed by the defection of first violinist to the west in 1976. The quartet reformed under the leadership of. New performances of all 15 Shostakovich quartets were recorded from 1978-1983: Dubinsky's defection bruised Soviet pride. Domestic releases of this era avoid references to the changes of quartet membership and are ambiguous about the performers and dates of recordings. Dated Discogs releases and reissues from 1979 onward are ambiguous about the precise membership of the quartet: This volume comes with a six panel tri-fold booklet.