“You have to be deeply in love with the string quartet as a form in order to live the life of a string quartet.”
Igor Naidin, viola
Ruben Aharonian, violin
Andrei Abramenkov, violin
Igor Naidin, viola
Vladimir Balshin, cello
The Borodin Quartet considers the string quartet the most beautiful way to make music. Throughout the group’s illustrious career its unique identity has been closely linked with the so-called ‘Russian school’ of string playing. All of the group’s members studied at the Moscow Conservatory, absorbing this method as it evolved across the generations.
Formed in 1945, the Quartet’s remarkable history includes working with Dmitri Shostakovich on every one of his quartets, and performing on the same day at the funerals of both Stalin and Prokofiev.
The Borodin Quartet commands an incomparable position of authority in chamber music. It is one of the great quartets of our time and a living link to the legacy of the past century.
“The Borodins have their own way of playing, of seeing music and interpreting music. This is much easier to hear than to explain in words,” says Ruben Aharonian.
For a review of their last Australian concert, click here.
For more information on the Borodin Quartet visit www.borodinquartet.com.
Program Info
Program One
Dmitri Shostakovich
String Quartet no 4 in D major, op 83
String Quartet no 13 in B flat major, op 138
Alexander Borodin
String Quartet no 2 in D major (1881)
Melbourne Tuesday 16 February, 7pm
Canberra Thursday 18 February, 7pm
Perth Monday 22 February, 7.30pm*
Sydney Monday 1 March, 7pm
Adelaide Wednesday 3 March, 8pm**
*Presented in association with the Perth International Arts Festival.
**Presented in association with the Adelaide Festival.
Program Two
Sergey Prokofiev
String Quartet no 2 in F major
(on Kabardinian themes), op 92
Pyotr II’ych Tchaikovsky
String Quartet no 1 in D major, op 11
Johannes Brahms
String Quartet no 1 in C minor, op 51 no 1
Melbourne Saturday 20 February, 8pm
Brisbane Wednesday 24 February, 7pm^
Newcastle Thursday 25 February, 7.30pm
Sydney Saturday 27 February, 1.30pm
^Steven Kinston Tribute Concert.