The original Borodin Quartet was founded in 1945 in the Soviet Union and this release celebrates the Quartet's 70th anniversary. Now, a new line-up, though still one that bears the characteristic Borodin sound, starts a new cycle with works from very different periods in Shostakovich's music life. This first release in a planned cycle features three key string quartets, including the most popular (No. 8), plus the Elegy and Polka (Adagio and Allegretto).