Customer Reviews

Borodin: String Quartet No. 1 in A Major; String Quartet No. 2 in D Major

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Borodin's 2nd Quartet is a perfect example of the renaissance principle that beautiful music mimics the human voice. To the credit of the eponymous quartet, while listening to the notturno, I feel as if am being serenaded by a beautiful chanteuse. It is a movement of such profound elegance and feeling that one is disarmed by the experience, while the movements framing it are in turn lyrical and provocative. Certainly a keystone of the repertoire.

Abba Joseph once asked: "Why not be totally changed into fire?"

This disc brings a similar question to mind--Why can't all recordings be this unbelievable?

This is one of the most beautiful discs in my entire collection. I have few that are as near to a realized ideal of perfection as this disc.

The Borodin String Quartet's performance grips one at the outset with the dreamlike opening of Borodin's String Quartet No. 1 in A. It takes complete hold of the listener and does not let them go until the Finale of Borodin's String Quartet No. 2 in D.

I cannot find words to describe this disc. I recommend it unreservedly. Get a copy today.

This is a performance that one simply cannot come close to. The 2nd quartet is one of the most beautiful quartets of all time, played here with profound emotion and a sound that takes one to another world. This CD moved me to tears, I urge you to buy it. This music and the way it is performed by the Borodin String Quartet is simply in a class of it's own.

This is probably Borodin Qt's greatest recording, even greater than their Shostakovich cycle. In both no.1 & 2, they achieve near-miracle performance with amazing technical perfection and warm autumanal tone. The famous Nocturne in the 2nd quartet is undescribably beautiful and even Borodin Qt's own later versions fall far short of sheer sublimity of the music making. Rarely performed Quartet No.1 is even greater work in many ways, and here Borodin Qt captures the rustic beauty of the music like no other ensemble could. Buy this one while availalbe (EMI has notorious habit of deleting great recordings while reissuing inferior recordings as Great Recordings of the Century!), you shall never regret.

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+

I was exposed to lots of classical music growing up since my father was trained in the conservatory of music as a composer in Latvia, Riga. We would often sit quietly in the dark on the couch at night and listen to classical LP's. One of my favorites was an old Russian recording on the Melodia label of the Borodin String Quartet #2 in D. It is so lyrical and has tremendous depth as it builds in intensity. Simply put, the music is profoundly beautiful.

Later when I was in college, I found myself hearing those beautiful melodies from the Borodin quartet again in my mind. I sought out a classical music store and found this copy on tape performed by the Borodin String Quartet. Not knowing if this would be a favorable rendition, I decided to gamble and buy it. Later that night, I put this recording on my stereo and sat with my eyes closed while listening to one of the most beautiful pieces of music I have ever heard!

If you love Russian romantic classical music, then this rendition will move you beyond words. Not only are the musicians who perform in this recording masterful musical technicians, but pour their heart and soul into this piece. The contrasts between pianissimos and cresendos is phenomenal.

It puts a smile on my face when my children say, "Hey pop! Can we listen to the Borodin String Quartet tonight?!"

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!

Borodin's music, the performance by the Borodin String Quartet, and the recording itself are all excellent. I bought the CD just to get the famous Nocturne (Third Movement, Quartet #2) and had never heard the rest of Quartet #2 or any of Quartet #1. Both quartets are wonderful. I highly recommend the CD.

Without question, This is one of great chamber music recordings of all time...Alas, EMI transfer engineers added some ambience while remastering, and the result is like a stereo rechannelling of a mono recording, and natural balance of recording gone forever...If you listen with headphones, you'll quickly understand what I mean... Sometime ago, I listened the same original Melodiya LP, and I saw what's the difference is. In late 80's French harmonia Mundi label transferred more faithfully, but more tape hiss. I think EMI should re-remaster this enchanting performance, or give permission to another company for a really good transfer (BMG would be a good choice, issued sucessful transfers of melodiya recordings).

If I had learned nothing from the lectures of Robert Greenburg other than the existence of the music of Borodin, I would still be indebted to him. These pieces are magnificent.

Borodin's music, as perfomed for this recording, is achingly beautiful and original. That it was written by an "amateur" composer who was a physician and scientist by day only adds to the wonder and beauty of it.