Borodin: String Quartets Nos. 1 & 2

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Alexander Borodin was one of those remarkable people who can pursue several equally successful careers. He studied various instruments as a boy, began to compose in his teens, and became famous in music, chemistry, and medicine. His two quartets are thoroughly romantic. The first, heard less frequently, is never less than pleasant and often felicitous, with many lovely melodies; a mournful, very Russian slow movement; and a scintillating, feathery Scherzo, whose Trio, primarily in harmonics, has a celestial sound.

The second quartet is greatly superior and more concise, the thematic material more inspired and better developed. It is famous for its slow movement, "Notturno," a tender, rapturous dialogue between cello and first violin, which has been described as a love scene between Borodin and his wife of 20 years, to whom the work is dedicated. Toward the end, however, it suddenly becomes melancholy, as if in foreboding: Borodin died six years later, only 55 years old.

The playing here is breathtakingly beautiful. The date of the original recording is not mentioned, though on the picture the players look very young. The Quartet was formed by its leader, Rostislav Dubinsky, and cellist Valentin Berlinsky in 1945; the other two members joined in the early '50s. These are the musicians heard on this disc; they played together until 1975, when Dubinsky emigrated to America. The four players are absolutely equal. Their technical command is complete, their ensemble seamlessly integrated, their tone flawlessly pure, smooth as silk, and warm as velvet; the first violin soars radiantly. They bring out every mood and nuance with deep, inward expressiveness, but with a noble restraint that precludes sentimentality; they hardly slide and never exaggerate. The Quartet still exists, but Berlinsky is the only original member left. --Edith Eisler

Borodin: String Quartets Nos. 1 & 2, Music, Alexander Borodin, Borodin Quartet, Chamber, Chamber Music & Recitals, Classical, Classical Artists, Classical Music, Quartet for Four String Instruments
Borodin: String Quartets Nos 1 & 2
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Lush & Exalted
  • A superb recording of the Borodin quartets
  • Priceless.
  • Run out now and buy! (Or e-mail now and buy...)
  • No. 1 is number one!
 Borodin: String Quartets Nos 1 & 2
Borodin String Quartet , and Alexander Borodin
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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  1. Borodin: Symphony No.2/In The Steppes Of Central Asia/Prince Igor
  2. Dmitry Shostakovich: String Quartet Nos. 2,3,7,8 & 12
  3. Debussy, Ravel: Streichquartette
  4. Dvorák, Tchaikovsky, Borodin: Quartets
  5. Tchaikovsky: String Quartets Nos. 1 - 3/Souvenir De Florence

ASIN: B000002ROX
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

  1. String Quartet No. 1 In A: First Movement: Moderato - Allegro
  2. String Quartet No. 1 In A: Second Movement: Andante con moto
  3. String Quartet No. 1 In A: Third Movement: Scherzo (Prestissimo)
  4. String Quartet No. 1 In A: Fourth Movement: Andante - Allegro risoluto
  5. String Quartet No. 2 In D: First Movement: Allegro moderato
  6. String Quartet No. 2 In D: Second Movement: Scherzo (Allegro)
  7. String Quartet No. 2 In D: Third Movement: Notturno (Andante)
  8. String Quartet No. 2 In D: Fourth Movement: Finale (Andante - Vivace)

Amazon.com

The Borodin Quartet plays the music of its namesake as to the manner born. Theirs is a beautiful, lush realization of this lyrical work, polished and full of nuance, and well-served by the 1980 analog recording. The coupling with Borodin's First Quartet is especially attractive. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Lush & Exalted.......2007-02-11

How else can one describe this incredibly soulful, beautiful recording of Borodin's string quartets (A & D Major)? In this case, Borodin (and the similarly-named quartet) proved the experts wrong in the common saying that the minor is richer than the major. Every movement is a gem played with heartfelt devoltion to the music and the man. The melodic lines are stunning, almost bitter sweet in their mournful rise and fall. The sheer inventiveness of the composer is apparent throughout. In other words, run (don't walk) to your nearest store and purchase this CD or but it off Amazon.

This is not a cerebral (think Emerson Quartet) but a soulful performace, straight from the Grand Age of Composers when performers were called gentlemen and the audience had a knowledge of the music. As in all good quartets, there are no "standout" performances, just a seamless cohesion between the members. If anyone thinks this is recording is an exception they are mistaken. The Shoshtakovitch has as much heart (if not soul). An old tale circulates (confirmation?) that the artist (Shoshtakovitch) worked with the quartet during the process of composition, experimenting for the right sound(s). Beethoven is given a rich Romantic treatment (particularly the Große Fuge) and that is the way I always think of this group - an aristocratic, ensemble specializing in the type of music that they love - Brahms, Schubert, Tchaikovsky, Rachmoninov.

My Grade: A+

5 out of 5 stars A superb recording of the Borodin quartets.......2007-01-09

Everyone here (a large family gathering)who has heard this recording over the Christmas period has been very impressed with its quality. I would strongly recommend it.
John Fothergill

5 out of 5 stars Priceless........2006-12-29

Borodin requires emotion, strength, and an understanding of both joy and melancholy. Originally recorded in 1980 by MELODIYA, the musicians and the recording quality go far beyond expectations. This is truly music for the heart.

5 out of 5 stars Run out now and buy! (Or e-mail now and buy...).......2006-11-01

This is one of those discs that is just so incredible that all classical music lovers must own it.

The writing is very intense and beautiful (and from a part-timer, at that!) and the playing by the BSQ is peerless. The sound quality is also excellent.

5 out of 5 stars No. 1 is number one!.......2006-03-02

Does this recording live up to the rave reviews here on Amazon and elsewhere?
The answer, quite simply put, is yes.
BUT, am I the only person on this planet who believes the 1st string quartet to be the equal of, or superior to the 2nd? Sure, the 2nd has the sublime 3rd movement that we have all heard a million times, but just listen to the 3rd movement of the 1st quartet. You will not believe your ears upon hearing what appears to be an organ and glass harmonica, only to realize that it is in fact a STRING QUARTET!!!
This effect, achieved by Borodin, is one of the most surreal, ethereal, and novel sections of music ever conceived.
Why these quartets, especially the 1st, are not more popular is beyond me.
My life has been greatly enriched by this recording, and it's one of those rare musical experiences that makes you think "How did I survive all those years without this music in my head?"
Anyone whose music collection lacks this wonderful recording is not living life to its fullest.
Highly recommended.
Enjoy!
Tchaikovsky: String Quartets Nos. 1 - 3/Souvenir De Florence
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Great playing, amazing music, unbalanced recording
  • All-star performance of some sadly neglected music
 Tchaikovsky: String Quartets Nos. 1 - 3/Souvenir De Florence

Manufacturer: Teldec
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

QuartetsQuartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
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Similar Items:
  1. Borodin: String Quartets Nos 1 & 2
  2. Smetana: Má vlast
  3. Dvorák: The String Quartets
  4. Tchaikovsky: Complete Suites for Orchestra
  5. Beethoven: String Quartets

ASIN: B000000SIT
Release Date: 1993-11-02

Tracks:

  1. String Quartet No. 1 In D Major, Op. 11: Moderato e semplice
  2. String Quartet No. 1 In D Major, Op. 11: Andante cantabile
  3. String Quartet No. 1 In D Major, Op. 11: Scherzo: Allegro non tanto e con fuoco
  4. String Quartet No. 1 In D Major, Op. 11: Finale: Allegro giusta
  5. String Quartet In B Flat Major: Adagio misterioso - Allegro con moto - Adagio misterioso
  6. Souvenir de Florence (Sextet In D Minor, op. 70): Allegro con spirito
  7. Souvenir de Florence (Sextet In D Minor, op. 70): Adagio cantabile e con moto
  8. Souvenir de Florence (Sextet In D Minor, op. 70): Allegretto moderato
  9. Souvenir de Florence (Sextet In D Minor, op. 70): Allegro vivace

Tracks:

  1. String Quartet No. 2 In F Major, Op. 22: Adagio - Moderato assai
  2. String Quartet No. 2 In F Major, Op. 22: Scherzo: Allegro giusto
  3. String Quartet No. 2 In F Major, Op. 22: Andante ma non tanto
  4. String Quartet No. 2 In F Major, Op. 22: Finale: Allegro con moto
  5. String Quartet No. 3 In E-Flat Minor, Op. 30: Andante sostenuto
  6. String Quartet No. 3 In E-Flat Minor, Op. 30: Allegretto vivo e scherzando
  7. String Quartet No. 3 In E-Flat Minor, Op. 30: Andante funebre e doloroso, ma con moto
  8. String Quartet No. 3 In E-Flat Minor, Op. 30: Finale: Allegro non troppo e risoluto

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Great playing, amazing music, unbalanced recording.......2005-10-24

My comment will only focus on the recording as I cannot agree more with other reviewers as far as interpretation and music are concerned.

The teldec engineers have focused on the violins and forgotten that a quartet is a balanced ensemble and thus viola and cello are not accompaniement. Their bias damages the final result and suppress the rich interplay Borodin has been renown for. For instance in the fugue of the second quartet last mvt, the cello is barely audible and all ears are on the violins. The result of this takes its toll when the reverberent acoustics saturates the microphones in some powerful zingers shooting.

It also makes the listening tiring as you have to extract the other instruments lines from the soloists... So 4 stars when it should have been a no brainer 5!

(listening was made on professional JBL studio monitors, Bryston amps and Linn source)

5 out of 5 stars All-star performance of some sadly neglected music.......2005-09-23

I am a huge fan of the Borodin quartet. I had heard Schubert's quintet performed by the Emerson Quartet, and after hearing the same piece performed by the Borodin Quartet, I was blown away by how overrated the Emerson ensemble is.
That Tchaikovsky's chamber music doesn't receive the fanfare it deserves is understandable; the composer's orchestral works are so widely acclaimed that it tends to cast a shadow over the rest of his oeuvre. However, these are worth a purchase for sure. Tchaikovsky was a master of music writing for strings, and this medium lets him show off his virtuosic side with more ease than the symphonic medium. My bias towards fugues predisposes me to the 2nd quartet and the Souvenir de Florence and their contrapuntal finales; but that is not to say they stand alone on this 2 disc set. Each of the Quartets, as well as the Souvenir de Florence, are filled with charming melodies, folk music overtones, and the driving, rhythmic and dynamic writing style typical of a composer so celebrated for these techniques. The set also includes the B-Flat quartet, a work without opus but nonetheless a nice addition.
The recording is impeccable, as are all of the Borodin's efforts on the Teldec label. If you find yourself interested in Tchaikovsky's chamberworks after listening to these little-known masterpieces, you should check out his Piano Trio, a monstrous piece at nearly 50 minutes in length but well worth your time.
Borodin: String Quartets Nos. 1 and 2
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Mystical magical Borodin quartets
 Borodin: String Quartets Nos. 1 and 2

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
  1. Schubert: String Quartets (Complete), Vol. 1
  2. Haydn: String Quartets Op. 76, Nos. 1-3
  3. Vivaldi's Cello

ASIN: B0000013ZB
Release Date: 1994-12-13

Tracks:

  1. Moderato - Allegro
  2. Andante Con Moto
  3. Scherzo: Prestissimo
  4. Allegro Risoluto
  5. Allegro Moderato
  6. Scherzo: Allegro
  7. Notturno: Andante
  8. Andante - Vivace

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Mystical magical Borodin quartets.......2007-05-12

Smooth, sleek yet beautifully defined performances of two string quartets that are among the composer's best works. I can't imagine more satisfying performances. I play this disc frequently with great pleasure. Freeman Gunter
Borodin: String Quartets Nos. 1 & 2
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • PERFECTION
 Borodin: String Quartets Nos. 1 & 2

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

QuartetsQuartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by BorodinAll Works by Borodin | Borodin, Alexander | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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  1. The Essential Borodin
  2. Shostakovich: String Quartets 1-13
  3. Borodin: String Quartets Nos 1 & 2
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  5. Saint-Saëns: Piano Trios

ASIN: B00005TNXX
Release Date: 2002-01-22

Tracks:

  1. String Quartet No. 1 In A Major: I Moderato - Allegro
  2. String Quartet No. 1 In A Minor: II Andante Con Moto - Fugato. Un Poco Piu Mosso
  3. String Quartet No. 1 In A Minor: III Scherzo. Prestissimo
  4. String Quartet No. 1 In A Minor: IV Andante - Allegro Risoluto
  5. String Quartet No. 2 In D Major: I Allegro Moderato
  6. String Quartet No. 2 In D Major: II Scherzo. Allegro
  7. String Quartet No. 2 In D Major: III Notturno. Andante
  8. String Quartet No. 2 In D Major: IV Finale. Andante - Vivace

Amazon.com

Alexander Borodin was one of those remarkable people who can pursue several equally successful careers. He studied various instruments as a boy, began to compose in his teens, and became famous in music, chemistry, and medicine. His two quartets are thoroughly romantic. The first, heard less frequently, is never less than pleasant and often felicitous, with many lovely melodies; a mournful, very Russian slow movement; and a scintillating, feathery Scherzo, whose Trio, primarily in harmonics, has a celestial sound.

The second quartet is greatly superior and more concise, the thematic material more inspired and better developed. It is famous for its slow movement, "Notturno," a tender, rapturous dialogue between cello and first violin, which has been described as a love scene between Borodin and his wife of 20 years, to whom the work is dedicated. Toward the end, however, it suddenly becomes melancholy, as if in foreboding: Borodin died six years later, only 55 years old.

The playing here is breathtakingly beautiful. The date of the original recording is not mentioned, though on the picture the players look very young. The Quartet was formed by its leader, Rostislav Dubinsky, and cellist Valentin Berlinsky in 1945; the other two members joined in the early '50s. These are the musicians heard on this disc; they played together until 1975, when Dubinsky emigrated to America. The four players are absolutely equal. Their technical command is complete, their ensemble seamlessly integrated, their tone flawlessly pure, smooth as silk, and warm as velvet; the first violin soars radiantly. They bring out every mood and nuance with deep, inward expressiveness, but with a noble restraint that precludes sentimentality; they hardly slide and never exaggerate. The Quartet still exists, but Berlinsky is the only original member left. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars PERFECTION.......2003-08-03

We sometimes get what we pay for, and this is one of those times. Except in the unlikely event that the music does not appeal to you, this is one of those records that can be honestly recommended without reservation. These quartets are heavenly stuff -- for sheer sustained beauty of sound they are in a very special league. The recording is magnificent, and as for the performances just think of any adulatory cliche and it will be true. Admittedly this disc has some spare capacity on it, and it looks as if the quartets are available separately in combination with a variety of other items on better-filled records. I prefer to have them just for and by themselves.
Brahms: String Quartets Nos. 1 & 3
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		Brahms: String Quartets Nos. 1 & 3
    Borodin Quartet
    Manufacturer: Apex
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
    Similar Items:
    1. Schubert: String Quartet 'death & the Maiden'/Schumann: Piano Quintet Op.44

    ASIN: B00008UVC0
    Release Date: 2006-05-24

    Tracks:

    1. String Quartet No.1 In C Minor, Op.51/1
    2. String Quartet No.3 In B Flat Major, Op.67
    Tchaikovsky: String Quartets Nos.1 - 3,
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      		Tchaikovsky: String Quartets Nos.1 - 3,
      Rostropovitch , Talayan , and Borodin Quartet
      Manufacturer: Bmg
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD
      ASIN: B000025ZQ0
      Release Date: 1999-07-15
      Johannes Brahms: String Quartets, Nos. 1 & 3
      Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
      • Beautiful compositions, played with vigor and passion
      		 Johannes Brahms: String Quartets, Nos. 1 & 3

      Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      QuartetsQuartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
      All Works by BrahmsAll Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
      ASIN: B000000SJR
      Release Date: 1994-07-05

      Tracks:

      1. Strs Qt No. 1in c, op.51,1: Allegro
      2. Strs Qt No. 1in c, Op.51,1: Romanze; Poco Adagio
      3. Strs Qt No. 1in c, Op.51,1: Allegretto molto moderato e comodo
      4. Strs Qt No. 1in c, Op.51,1: Allegro
      5. Strs Qt No. 3 in b flat, Op.67: Vivace
      6. Strs Qt No. 3 in b flat, Op.67: Andante
      7. Strs Qt No. 3 in b flat, Op.67: Agitato (Allegretto non troppo)
      8. Strs Qt No. 3 in b flat, Op.67: Poco Allegretto con Variazioni

      Customer Reviews:

      5 out of 5 stars Beautiful compositions, played with vigor and passion.......2002-10-19

      It has taken me three decades to finally catch on to "classical
      music" (I actually disdain these musical labels), and both the music of Brahms and the playing of the Borodin Quartet represent great discoveries for me. Listening to this has left me yearning for more music for strings (I welcome all suggestions). For now I have my ears set on Mendelssohn & Raff: Octets (Chandos - #8790 ).
      Tchaikovsky: String Quartets Nos. 1-3, Souvenir de Florence
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        		Tchaikovsky: String Quartets Nos. 1-3, Souvenir de Florence

        Manufacturer: EMI (Melodiya)
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD
        ASIN: B00000DNLE
        Release Date: 1990-10-25
        String Quartets Nos. 1 & 2
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          		String Quartets Nos. 1 & 2
          Alexander Borodin , and St. Petersburg String Quartet
          Manufacturer: Sony
          ProductGroup: Music
          Binding: Audio CD

          Classical MusicClassical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
          ASIN: B00000DSLY
          Release Date: 1995-05-30
          Borodin - String Quartets Nos. 1 & 2 - Borodin Quartet
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            		Borodin - String Quartets Nos. 1 & 2 - Borodin Quartet

            Manufacturer: Melodiya
            ProductGroup: Classical
            Binding: Audio CD
            ASIN: B000J0GQZE

            Product Description

            String Quartet No. 1 In A Major 1. 1. Moderato Allegro 2. 2. Andante Con Moto - Fugato. Un Poco Piu Mosso 3. 3. Scherzo. Prestissimo 4. 4. Andante - Allegro Risoluto String Quartet No. 2 In D Major 5. 1. Allegro Moderato 6. 2. Scherzo. Allegro 7. 3. Notturno. Andante 8. 4. Finale. Andante Vivace Borodin Quartet: Rostislav Dubinsky & Yaroslav Alexandrov violins Dmitry Shebalin viola Valentin Berlinsky cello

            Music Review:

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            3. Brahms: Piano Trios
            4. Brahms: String Sextets
            5. Brahms: Symphony No. 4; Tragic Overture; Schicksalslied
            6. Brahms: Violin Concerto; Schumann: Fantasie, Op. 131
            7. Bridge: String Quartets Nos. 1 and 3
            8. Britten: String Quartets No. 1, 2, 3; Three Divertimenti
            9. Bruckner: Symphony No. 4
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