The preferred version of the Tchaikovsky Quartets is that of the Borodin Quartet. Problem is: Which Borodin Quartet? This Chandos Historical two-pack features the original Borodins, who flourished between 1953 and 1974 when first violinist Rostislav Dubinsky followed the wise precept, “Go West, young man” and established the equally excellent British-based Borodin Trio. Oddly, for a series under the rubric “Chandos Historicals”, neither the booklet nor back of the jewel case bothers to tell us when these works were recorded, though an early-1960s Moscow venue is confirmed by astringent, close-up engineering that makes listening at realistic levels wearing. The harsh sound also exacerbates the hard-driving interpretations, roiling with passion, that probably would have been much more convincing had the engineers backed off the microphones. Despite the forward sound, too much detail escapes notice so performances that would have been thrilling in a concert hall lose their savor.
But wondrous moments abound: the freshness of the famous Andante cantabile movement of the Quartet No. 1; the equivalent movement in the Souvenir de Florence; and the driving Finales, among much else. And the Borodins make a good case for the neglected Second and Third quartets, urgent and tuneful. But for all its interest, the set must yield to the later, reconstituted Borodin Quartet’s 1993 Teldec recording in vibrant sound, full of instrumental detail, and possessing a more relaxed interpretive stance. Timings often lie, but while the timings for each movement of the two Borodin sets differ by seconds, you get the impression that the interpretations on Chandos are a bit hectic while the Teldec’s tempered vigor is just right.
