Recorded in 1987, this program features the Borodin Quartet of Moscow. Founded in 1946, it concertized until 1955 under the name of Moscow Philharmonic Quartet. The ensemble has recorded the complete quartets of Shostakovich and has frequently performed with Sviastoslav Richter, Emil Gilels, Leonid Kogan, David Oistrakh and Heinrich Neuhaus.
Shostakovich, String Quartet No.3 in F major, op.73
Recorded in 1987, this program features the Borodin Quartet of Moscow. Founded in 1946, it concertized until 1955 under the name of Moscow Philharmonic Quartet. The ensemble has recorded the complete quartets of Shostakovich and has frequently performed with Sviastoslav Richter, Emil Gilels, Leonid Kogan, David Oistrakh and Heinrich Neuhaus.
Quatuor Diotima – Bela Bartók’s Complete String Quartets
At the atmospheric venue of the Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord in Paris, the “brilliant ensemble” (Süddeutsche Zeitung) of the Quatuor Diotima meet the challenge of performing the entire cycle of Béla Bartók’s string quartets. Founded in 1996 by laureates of the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, the Diotima Quartet has become one of the world’s most in-demand ensembles. Bartók’s six string quartets, written between 1908 and 1939, are the shortest summaries of his compositional thinking. Limited to four voices and a restricted supply of tonal colours – of which Bartók makes full use – they are of enormous richness and density, which turns every listening into a voyage of iscovery. “The Diotima Quartet performs Bartók’s demanding chamber music with promising commitment, captivating inner activity, depth, poetic finesse and precision.” (Classiquenews)
Britten’s String Quartets – Belcea Quartet
The Belcea Quartet is one of the world’s leading chamber music ensembles, having won many international accolades. Now, with the string quartets, the musicians have rediscovered a gem of twentieth century chamber music. “Here is a composer moving gently and magically from the Romantic and Classical canon towards aural visions of lightness, of sublimated pain and brooding escapism. Shame on those who do not know these pieces.” (Süddeutsche Zeitung). The Belcea Quartet succeeds in an outstanding manner in holding the balance between the youthful exuberance of the first two quartets and the lyrical solemnity and sweet morbidity of the third.
Quatuor Diotima: Livre de Boulez
At the Cité de la musique in Paris, the Quatuor Diotima, one of the world’s most in-demand ensembles, presents Pierre Boulez’ Livre pour quatuor. Written between 1948-49 in a period of complete radicality, this work is an exercise in formality and fragmentation. Boulez’ work has been profoundly revised in collaboration with the Quatuor Diotima. The unaccomplished fourth movement has been completed by Philippe Manoury.