description Shostakovich: String Quartet No. 1 Overview
String Quartet No. 1 in C major, Op. 49, is Dmitri Shostakovich’s first string quartet, composed in 1938. The work has four movements, beginning with Moderato and ending with Allegro, and was premiered in Leningrad by the Glazunov Quartet in October of that year.
Shostakovich described its conception in terms of childhood scenes and bright, springlike moods, which helps explain its relatively open and lyrical character within his chamber music. [String Quartet No. 1 reference](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/String_Quartet_No._1_%28Shostakovich%29)
help Shostakovich: String Quartet No. 1 FAQ
When did Shostakovich compose String Quartet No. 1?
Dmitri Shostakovich composed String Quartet No. 1 in C major, Op. 49, in 1938. Sources describe the work as having been written in roughly six weeks during the summer of that year. [IMSLP work information](https://imslp.org/wiki/String_Quartet_No.1%2C_Op.49_%28Shostakov%2C_Dmitry%29)
How many movements does Shostakovich's First String Quartet have?
It has four movements: Moderato, Moderato, Allegro molto, and Allegro. The compact structure and clear movement labels make it a more approachable starting point than some of Shostakovich's later quartets.
Why does Shostakovich's First Quartet sound unusually cheerful?
Shostakovich described the piece in terms of childhood scenes and bright springlike moods. Its C major setting, tuneful themes, and quick final movements give it a lighter profile than the bleak String Quartet No. 8.
Who premiered String Quartet No. 1?
The Glazunov Quartet gave the first performance in Leningrad on October 10, 1938. The Beethoven Quartet later premiered it in Moscow on November 16 of the same year.
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