Founded in 1967, the Shostakovich Quartet created an international buzz with their thrilling performances during the 1970 International ARD Competition in Munich and the 1973 Leo Weiner International Competition in Budapest. Four decades of consistent concertizing has brought international acclaim to the group. The musicians - violinists Andrei Shishlov, Sergei Pishchugin, violist Alexandre Galkovsky, and cellist Alexander Korchagin - have performed in 35 countries on four continents, participated in musical and art festivals in Duisburg, Helsinki, Prague, Vilnius, Moscow, Saint Petersbourg, Adelaide, Edibugh, Wellington, Istanbul, Hong Kong, Salonika, Liège, Stavelot, Riga, Norrtelje, Kuhmo, Rovaniemi, Seattle, and Santa Fe.

The Quartet's stellar performance of Alexander Borodin's only two string quartets returns to international availability on Alto. String Quartet No. 2 is famous for its evocative and emotional "Nocturne" where the cello and first violin mimic voices tenderly calling out to each other. Though less known, Quartet No. 1 is musically rich and showcases his originality in nineteenth century music.