Khachaturian’s 1940 Violin Concerto was composed for and dedicated to David Oistrakh who gave the premiere in Moscow that year. It is an instantly accessible work, infused with the music of the composer’s native Armenia, with colourful use of the orchestra and dazzling virtuosity.

Shostakovich’s 15 String Quartets form the most important body of music in the quartet repertoire after those of Beethoven. The 8th is one of the most impressive in the canon, and dates from 1960. The dedication on the score reads ‘In remembrance of the victims of fascism and war’. It was premiered in Dresden, still badly scarred by the bombing of 1945. The 7th Quartet also dates from 1960, and is dedicated to the composer’s wife Nina, who had died in 1954. It is a compact, terse, highly emotional personal musical statement.