Borodin - String Quartet No.1 & String Quintet

Alexander BORODIN (1833-1887) 

String Quartet No.1

String Quintet 

Kocian Quartet

Michal Kanka (Cello)

The composer of Prince Igor was the only member of the famous Group of Five to leave significant chamber music, made up of youthful scores reminiscent of Mendelssohn, such as the String Quintet in F minor, and two brilliant quartets, the powerful charm of the Nocturne of the 2nd Quartet too often resulting in the neglect of the Quartet No.1 in A, despite its being denser and more elaborate, with its irresistible Scherzo, so admired by Ravel and Stravinsky.

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Somebody should tell the Kocian Quartet that Borodin's First String Quartet is considered the lesser of his two works in that form. And while they're at it, they should tell the Kocian and second cellist Michal Kanka that Borodin's one and only String Quintet is essentially a student work and not nearly in the same league as his later quartets. But why spoil things? The Czech Kocian Quartet has delivered such sparkling, such lyrical, such heartfelt, and above all such convincing performances of both works that all anybody who loves Borodin should do is be grateful, very, very grateful. Although there have been terrific recordings of Borodin's First Quartet in the past -- one thinks immediately of the Borodin quartet's magisterial recording -- the Kocian's is as well-played and thoughtfully interpreted as the best of them. Plus they have just a bit more sweetness of tone than most recordings, and if there's one thing that performances of Borodin's music can always use just a bit more of, it's sweetness of tone. And while there have been few recordings of Borodin's quintet in the past, none of them can hold a candle to the Kocian plus Kanka's performance, which is more polished, more passionate, and much more persuasive than even the best of them. In Praga's lush and lovely super audio sound, this disc should be heard by anybody who loves Borodin's chamber music.

Review by James Leonard