Standing on the shoulders of giants, anyone can easily get an amazing view. The earsense feature presentation of Dmitri Shostakovich's Op. 87, Preludes and fugues - 24 Jewels - owes much to the related people and the resources that came before it. Without their creative contributions to the subject, our work would not have been possible. We extend sincere thanks to each and every source listed below. Please accept 24 Jewels as a humble but heartfelt response to your own profound call.

To Dmitri Trischenko, for a magical evening conversation in Essen long ago, where you made a simple, definitive and utterly catalytic recommendation: Listen to Shostakovich's String Quartet No. 8. Studying your namesake's string quartets leads inevitably to the rest of his fantastic oeuvre, whether symphony, piano quintet, fugue or "Tea for Two". Through you, earsense ultimately discovered Dmitri's own Well-Tempered Clavier. One day soon, earsense will produce its reflections on String Quartet No. 8 (and the balance of his 15 astonishing string quartets) as a direct response for you, but in the meantime, please enjoy Op. 87, knowing that thoughts of you have accompanied many great adventures and corresponding imaginary evening conversations that pick up where we left off.

To the Naxos recording label, for providing many excellent recordings of the master works in a manner which is affordable and well as reliable. In particular, to Konstantin Scherbakov, the pianist who recorded Shostakovich's Op. 87 for Naxos: your performances are marvelous. You, more than any resource, have inspired earsense. You have contributed the fundamental musical experience, the vital expression of Shostakovich's music, the living presence of his mind, his heart, his creativity, his wit, and his humanity. Your performance adds yet another dimension: your own commitment, artistry, and the animating breath of your own awareness. Nothing is possible without collaboration. We heartily recommend your recording; you have been the complete sound dimension for us as we have crafted our multi-dimensional feature. To accompany your recording, earsense offers 24 Jewels as your virtual liner notes.

To José Oscar de Almeida Marques for creating the MIDI files of Op. 87, the complete 24 preludes and fugues, and for graciously allowing earsense to use them. To our prose, notes, illustrations and linkages, your work adds the music. Where we have spoken, you have enabled us to sing. Thank you for your own dedication, your musicianship, your technical prowess, and your generosity. earsense has endeavored to create a supportive, multi-media context to feature your own hard work.

Finally, to Dmitri Shostakovich, 1906-1975. For your incredible life of musical expression. You stand as a giant in the 20th Century as well as rare and exalted figure among the true greats throughout the history of Western Art Music. Please accept our presentation as a sincere tribute to but one of your master works. The most profound aspect of enduring musical culture is the occurrence of dialog, the intimate and eloquent conversation among immortals. Endlessly, we have listened to you and Bach converse as we shall continue to listen as long as we can. With 24 Jewels, we have bravely offered our own views from the sidelines.