Shostakovich Special
November 2, 2025
Last weekend, it all kicked off: the commemoration of Dmitri Shostakovich, 50 years after his death. With masterful performances by Alexander Melnikov and Quatuor Danel, who know his work inside out.
On day one, pianist Alexander Melnikov performed Shostakovich's Preludes and Fugues in a remarkable way. He had previously played the cycle at the Muziekgebouw in 2012 – a memorable concert. Before that, in 2010, he made an impressive recording of this work on CD. His interpretation is considered the modern standard. The CDs were also available that evening.
Day two kicked off with Shostakovich's three string quartets, which the Quatuor Danel played with great charm. Marc Danel was so immersed in the music that his feet regularly left the floor.
The Quatuor Danel has performed and recorded all the quartets in their entirety several times – most recently in a live performance that won the International Classical Music Award 2025 in the chamber music category. This weekend, they proved once again why.
The highlight of the weekend was Saturday evening, when both the Quatuor Danel and Alexander Melnikov performed. Dmitri Shostakovich and Mieczyslaw Weinberg's piano quintets are the last great masterpieces in this genre, which reached its peak in the 19th century. A wonderful end to the special.
View the photos by Foppe Schut.
