Tchaikovski

What a choice! I had to study Shostakovich's String Quartets once for an university course. I don't enjoy them all but I can't image a world with some of them not in it.

There are three ways to listen to any music. As background music, on the sofa with the headphones on, and while scrutinising the music itself.

The third way is rarer, maybe equally valuable, but certainly not superior. Shostakovich wrote fifteen string quartets and in listening to any of them one needs the background information.

Happy listening thereafter!

Shostakóvich for sure

I like Shostakovich better as his music can be more raw and bleak, but overall as a composer I'd have to give it to Tchaikovsky, whose 1812 Overture and Swan Lake, plus other symphonic works besides the actual symphonies are just plain epic!!

In general, I will go with Tchaikovsky but there is one piece from Shostakovich that I do love and that is the 2nd. Waltz that I had the pleasure to see in one open air concert by André Rieu in Maastricht (Netherlands) in 2020

Often depends on my mood. Also don't forget Rachmaninov.

Tchaikovski. Mostly for the nostalgia.