The wisdom of experience and the infirmities of age lie perhaps too heavy on the Borodin Quartet's set of Beethoven's early quartets. There is no denying that the Borodin know exactly what to do with the music. Their balances are exemplary, their tempos are ideal, and their phrasing is supremely expressive. And there is no denying that the Borodin love deeply every note of the music. The colors are warm, their shapes are supple, and their forms are sublimely comely. But there's also no denying that the Borodin sometimes sound not quite able to summon the energy, the vivacity and the sheer joi de vivrei that Beethoven's early quartets require. Their Allegros aren't quite driven enough, their Adagios aren't quite sustained enough, their Menuettos aren't quite bright enough and the Scherzos aren't quite fiery enough. Those who have followed the Borodin through their forty year career will have to hear their performances of these works, those who haven't followed may be disappointed, and those who don't already know these works are advised to hear other performances first -- possibly the masterful Amadeus Quartet's performances or the beautiful Quartetto Italiano's performances or the insightful Alban Berg Quartet's performances.
Chandos' sound is rich, ripe, deep and true.
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