String Quartets, Vol 2 (String Quartet, Op. 59 No. 2; String Quartet, Op. 74 'Harp')

'This redoubtable Russian group plays with all the powerful, focused tone you'd expect and brings out the entire wealth of Beethoven's colour in these fiery performances.'
Classic FM Magazine

'But though I'd quarrel with some aspects of these interpretations, there's no doubt as to the quality of the sound, or the strong character and committment of the performances.'
Gramophone

'Its [The Razumovsky] first movement unfolds with exceptional breadth and the decision to include both of its repeats may well make it the longest account on disc. But timings are often misleading. From the two opening chords - forceful and slashing - it is clear that this is to be a reading of tremendous power and conviction.'
International Record Review

Chandos is proud to present the second volume in its complete series Beethoven String Quartets. The quartets contain some of the greatest, most enigmatic music ever written, played here by one of the world's finest ensembles.

The Borodin Quartet was formed in 1945 in Moscow. Cellist Valentin Berlinsky has been with the Quartet since its earliest days and violinist Andrei Abramenkov joined in 1974. Igor Naidin learnt the art of quartet playing from several of the Borodins including the Quartet's violist, Dmitri Shebalin, whom he eventually replaced. Leader Ruben Aharonian has won prizes at several international competitions including the Enescu, Montréal and Tchaikovsky competitions.

The Borodin Quartet celebrates its sixtieth anniversary season in 2004-5 with performances of the complete Beethoven quartet cycle at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw,Vienna Musikverein and at the City of London Festival.