(Revision) Borodin & Tchaikovsky - Chamber Music

(Revision) Borodin & Tchaikovsky - Chamber Music

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Here is a revised and corrected version of the previous upload.

If you've downloaded these recordings before and like the music, it might be
worth it for you to download this new version. Or, if you are now downloading
the previous version, you might consider taking this version instead. The
new version is definitely better in terms of a more "balanced" sound (at least, this is the case for my own ears).

Among other things, the equalization has been redone in such a way that much
of the original ambience of these LPs has been restored (which is the optimal situation from my own point of view) while eliminating an over-emphasis in the treble range - especially regarding Tchaikovsky's Souvenir de Florence (but all of the recordings have come out ahead, so to speak).

More revisions follow - so, if certain uploads disappear (or if they've done so
in the past) this may be the reason. They will return in due time in a hopefully
improved condition. As much as I enjoy making things, I also enjoy improving them...

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Borodin:

String Quartet No. 1 in A major - The Borodin Quartet - Rostislav Dubinsky & Yaroslav Alexandrov, Violins / Dmitri Shebalin, Viola / Valintin Berlinsky, Cello (Odyssey / Melodiya, issued 1975)

Quintet in C minor for Piano, Two Violins, Viola & Cello - Maria Grinberg, Piano / Bolshoi Theater Quartet - I. Zhuk, B. Veltman, M. Gurvich, I. Buravsky - Sextet in D minor for Two Violins, Two Violas & Two Cellos - Bolshoi Theater Quartet - I. Zhuk / B. Veltman / M. Gurvich / I. Buravsky / R. Barshai, 2nd Viola / S. Knushevitsky, 2nd Cello - Russian Scherzo in D major for String Quartet (from the collective quartet "Pyatnitsy", set 2, part 3) - Bolshoi Theater Quartet (Melodiya, c.1970s; recordings - probably live - from 1946, 1952 and 1949)

Tchaikovsky:

String Quartet No. 2 in F major, Op. 22 - Komitas String Quartet (Armenian State String Quartet) - Avet Gabrielyan, 1st Violin / Rafael Davidyan, 2nd Violin / Genrich Talalyan, Viola / Sergei Aslamazyan, Cello (Angel / EMI, recorded London, December 1954).

Sextet for Two Violins, Two Violas & Two Cellos, Op. 70 "Souvenir de Florence" - The Borodin Quartet - Rostislav Dubinsky & Yaroslav Alexandrov, Violins / Dmitri Shebalin, Viola / Valintin Berlinsky, Cello / Genrich Talalyan, 2nd Viola / Mstislav Rostropovich, 2nd Cello (Odyssey / Melodiya, issued 1978)
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This offering brings together some rather outstanding chamber music recordings from the Odyssey / Melodiya, Melodiya and Angel / EMI labels.

Of particular interest are the Borodin recordings with pianist Maria Grinberg and the Bolshoi Theater Quartet (Rudolf Barshai, playing 2nd viola and Sviatoslav Knushevitzky, 2nd cello); and the equally wonderful 1954 Tchaikovsky Second String Quartet from the Komitas Quartet (which is still the oldest continuing string quartet ensemble worldwide).


LP transfers from material issued 1975 and 1978 (Odyssey / Melodiya); recorded 1946, 1952 and 1949 (Melodiya); recorded 1954 (Angel / EMI).

Original covers and notes included (since the Melodiya LP was inherited without its proper sleeve, scans of the labels are included).

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Note: the Melodiya LP is an "electronically enhanced stereo" disc c.1970s and has been converted back into mono in order to regain some of its original ambience. The recordings themselves have very good, clear sound.