String Quartet No. 8 in C minor, Op. 110, was completed in 1960 by Soviet composer Dmitri Shostakovich (1906 - 1975). It is the highlight of what for me is the best cycle of string quartets ever composed, all 15 very much worthwhile. The eighth quartet, composed in three days, is in five movements. It makes extensive use of the DSCH motif – Shostakovich's musical signature. The average playing time is 21 minutes (AllMusic). I have three versions, of which I have a slight preference for the Borodin Quartet on a Virgin CD.
