Convincing Shostakovich and Beethoven from the Borodin Quartet

By Renée Reitsma, 22 April 2015

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Reviewed at Wigmore Hall, London on 19 April 2015

Shostakovich, String Quartet No. 10 in A flat major, Op.118

Shostakovich, String Quartet No. 8 in C minor "Malinconia", Op.110

Beethoven, String Quartet no. 14 in C sharp minor, Op.131

Borodin Quartet

A celebration of Czech musical defiance from the LPO

Matthew Rye, 7th November

In a typically ambitious programme, Vladimir Jurowski and the London Philharmonic Orchestra explored how four Czech composers responded to imprisonment, exile and renewal.

****1

Borodin Quartet delivers searing Brahms in Dublin

Andrew Larkin, 8th November

After somewhat tame Tchaikovsky, the combined forces of Barry Douglas and the Borodin String Quartet deliver a compelling Brahms Piano Quintet.

***11

A mind-opening evening with the Borodin Quartet

Marco Rep, 28th October

How does an admirer of Shostakovich's symphonic works react to a performance of two of his string quartets? Well, if it's the Borodin Quartet that is playing, the experience will most definitely be a changing experience.

****1

Sure-footed Shostakovich and Beethoven

Chris Garlick, 24th April

The eminent Borodin Quartet brought a programme of Shostakovich and Beethoven with them to the Wigmore Hall – two composers they are very closely associated with.

****1

Borodin Quartet plays Shostakovich and Beethoven

Jack Johnson, 22nd April

The Borodin Quartet seemed safely in their comfort zone with a selection of staple works from Shosatkovich and Beethoven.

***11

Dvořák in Istanbul: the Borodins and Berezovsky impress

Alain Matalon, 4th June

The five musicians on stage performed just like a well-oiled machine in Dvořák's Op. 81 Piano Quintet’s devilishly tricky coda.

****1

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Renée Reitsma

Renée lives in Essex and is a PhD student in Philosophy. She loves all sorts of classical and non-classical music, but has a particular love for Dmitri Shostakovich. She is in charge of the Heavy Symphonic playlist at Dutch classical music site 24classics and blogs here.