| From barbershop quartets to gospel close-harmony groups to doo-wop to the kooky a cappella experiments, vocals-only pop music has a long history. |
| He originally thought in terms of a theatrical setting for the whole cycle of fifteen quartets, but that proved too grandiose. |
| These include lieder, thirty string quartets and six symphonies, plus numerous overtures and choral works. |
| They approach the piece like a musical score, mingling solo parts with duets, trios and quartets. |
| He counts work on Shostakovich's quartets with Rostropovich as among the high points of his musical life. |
| Some of his chamber works are the eight string quartets, two piano trios, two piano quintets, a piano quartet and sonatas for violin and cello. |
