Shostakovich, Dmitri: Two Pieces (Prelude and Scherzo) op. 11 (1924/25) 11'

for string octet or string orchestra

Scoring
Parts augmented for string orchestra, including a version with double basses by Lazar Gozman

World Premiere
1/9/1927
Stanislavsy Art Theatre Mozart Hall, Moscow
Gliere & Stradivari Quartets


Repertoire Note  
One of the strangest of Shostakovich’s early work is this short octet for strings. Based on the famous Mendelssohn combination of a double string quartet, it consists of a wistful prelude and a fleeting scherzo. The piece is dedicated to the memory of a young friend of the composer, a promising poet, who had died unexpectedly.

Note by Gerard McBurney

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