String Quartets (recorded in October, 1987)

"…these films of the Borodin Quartet in 1987 make the… valid point that maximum effect can be achieved with minimal physical effort. …it also captures one of the group's several golden ages, in this case with Mikhail Kopelman at the helm. Kopelman was a peerless first violinist: pure of intonation, deeply expressive without ever forcing the tone, tough but never abrasive..." (BBC Music)

This legendary quartet has been the authority on Russian string quartet repertoire for more than 60 years. Founded in 1945 and renamed in 1955 after Russian chamber music composer Alexander Borodin, the quartet was so sought after, that even in its early career, it played at Stalin's and Prokofiev's funerals on the same day in 1953! The quartet had a close working relationship with Dmitri Shostakovich, who personally consulted with them on each of his quartets. In this two-hour programme - recorded in 1987 - the quartet presents his string quartets Nos. 3 and 8, written in 1946 and 1960, respectively.These are juxtaposed by two of the three string quartets of Tchaikovsky, works that unjustifiably belong to the less frequently played part of the composer's oeuvre. As one of the longest lasting string quartets, the Borodin Quartet shine with clarity, unity and beauty of sound, whenever and wherever they perform.This DVD provides the opportunity for a close study of important chamber music by their most illustrious interpreters.