String Quartet No. 1 in A major: 1. Moderato - Allegro
String Quartet No. 1 in A major: 2. Andante con moto
String Quartet No. 1 in A major: 3. Scherzo (Prestissimo)
String Quartet No. 1 in A major: 4. Andante - Allegro risoluto
String Quartet No. 2 in D major: 1. Allegro moderato
String Quartet No. 2 in D major: 2. Scherzo (Allegro)
String Quartet No. 2 in D major: 3. Notturno (Andante)
String Quartet No. 2 in D major: 4. Finale (Andante - Vivace)
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 coupli... more »ng with Borodin's First Quartet is especially attractive. --Ted Libbey« less
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
"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."
Divine, delicate sonority
smg | ny, ny | 11/22/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
One of the most moving performances ever!
smg | 10/19/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
Profoundly beautiful
Peter Chordas | Portland, OR USA | 02/12/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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?!""