What is shostakovich string quartet 8?

Dmitri Shostakovich's String Quartet No. 8 in C minor, Op. 110, was written in just three days in July 1960. It is considered one of Shostakovich's most personal and emotionally intense works, as it was written during a particularly difficult time in his life.

The quartet is dedicated to the victims of fascism and war, as well as to the composer himself. Shostakovich includes his musical monogram, DSCH, throughout the piece, which was a common motif in his later works.

The quartet is in five movements, played without a break. It is known for its dark and intense mood, as well as its use of themes from some of Shostakovich's other works, including his Symphony No. 5 and the opera Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District.

Overall, Shostakovich's String Quartet No. 8 is considered a powerful and emotional work that showcases the composer's ability to convey deep and complex emotions through music.