Shostakovich string quartets recommendation


I'm looking for a set of the complete cycle. Any recommendations?
jimjoyce25
I can comment on two complete cycles.
The Fitzwilliam is good but the sonics are dated.
The Quaruor Daniel are wonderfully recorded, but the performances are just a bit too polished or polite for my tastes.
Not a complete cycle, but I wholeheartedly recommend the St. Lawrence recording of 3,7, and 8. It is pure, raw Shostakovich as Shostakovich should be played. I hope they will do the complete cycle.
The Borodin accounts were a little disappointing to me given the hype. I gave them to a friend.
My current favorite complete recording is the Mandelring Quartet on Audite (SACD). The playing is amazing, the sonics outstanding. The Mandelring play these quartets so that the music shines through. They are humane and lovely interpretations that lack some of the slash and burn style these quartets receive by others.

I also have the Emerson (DG) and Borodin (EMI) sets on RBCD. The Emerson play with incredible precision but leave out some of the humanity of the quartets. I admire their playing but don't love their interpretations. The Borodin fall somewhere between thr Mandelrings and the Emersons - they bring an authentic Russian ethos to the works but the ensemble playing is nowhere near as precise as the Emerson's nor as supremely musical as the Mandelrings.

Lot's of choices out there. Hope my descriptions help.
Agree with Krisjan's assessment of the Emersons. They have no affinity for music.
I second the mention of the St. Lawrence recordings. Of the quartets that they have put on disc, they are my favorite versions, seemingly closest to heart of the music. I've seen them perform Shostakovich as well and I would enthusiastically recommend that all watch for the opportunity to see them.