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I love this quartet.Before I post anything else, I just want to say what a relief it is to see something in the classical threads that isn't circlejerking over the same tired handful of composers everyone has heard of. It is really good to bring something new to the table for once and very refreshing. I have heard a lot of these names but didn't know what piece to go to. Very handy guide! Thank you!Okay!I liked his fifteenth quartet better because it seemed more focused, and strikingly tragic. His fifth is also really good because of the pieces of Ustvolskaya woven in. But the eighth is still very very good. His eighth symphony is one of the greatest pieces of music I have ever heard.I'd like to introduce one more composer that hasn't been yet mentioned. Pic related, its Ustvolskaya. I think her music is hard to listen to at first and is an acquired taste, especially the more aggressive pieces, but she is still one of my favorite composers.Her most accessible piece is the Trio. This and the Octet both remind me a lot of Stravinsky. This is an interesting piece because Shostakovich used themes from this piece in at least two of his own pieces.Another good piece is the Fifth Piano Sonata. Once you get past the tone clusters, it is a very moving piece, at least to me. This youtube link isn't my favorite rendition, but the one I like is Natalia Andreeva's, but it is only on CD so I can't post it here.One last piece, and I'll stop. I really like her Fourth Symphony, even though calling it a symphony might seem pretty edgy. This is the only performance that really nails it for me.I hope someone finds that useful!