Chamber music marks Shostakovich centenary

by Bill Morelock, Minnesota Public Radio

St. Paul, Minn. — To mark the centenary of the birth of Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich, classical host Bill Morelock presented a program in Minnesota Public Radio's UBS Forum on Sept. 24, 2006.

After a short biographical piece to provide background on the fascinating and controversial story of Shostakovich's life and work, Morelock discussed Shostakovich and his compositions with his guests, Alexander Braginsky and Tanya Remenikova.

Braginsky, a pianist, performed three of Shostakovich's Preludes, Op. 34. Braginsky was joined by his wife, cellist Remenikova, to play the last two movements from the Cello Sonata, Op. 40. The Minneapolis String Quartet performed the String Quartet No. 3 in F, Op. 73.