Chandos is proud to present the complete series of Beethoven String Quartets performed by the legendary Borodin String Quartet.  

The quartets which contain some the greatest, most enigmatic music ever written, are in the capable hands of one of the world’s finest ensembles.

The Borodin String Quartet was formed in 1945 in Moscow. Cellist Valentin Berlinsky was with the quartet since its earliest days and violinist Andrei Abramenkov joined in 1974. Igor Naidin learnt the art of quartet playing from several of the Borodins including the Quartet’s violinist, Dmitri Shebalin, whom he eventually replaced. Leader Ruben Aharonian won prizes at several international competitions, including the Enescu, Montréal and Tchaikovsky.  These artists provide a unique insight to these works.  

The individual volumes were highly acclaimed by the critics and this praised series is now released as a complete box set, at a competitive price and in attractive packaging.  

Some reviews of the individual volumes:
’Valentin Berlinsky, cellist and founding member of the quartet in 1945, has been waiting to make this set his whole career, and calls it ‘the great dream of my life: to play all Beethoven’s quartets from first to last’. A worthwhile dream. Each of the volumes in the set thus far have been invested with palpable love… the playing here is uniformly committed – and a joy.’
American Record Guide Vol.3
’This redoubtable Russian group plays with all the powerful, focused tone you’d expect and brings out the entire wealth of Beethoven’s colour in these fiery performances.’
Classic FM Magazine on Vol.2
’We are given the feeling of a voyage of discovery, and of the players own enjoyment of the music.’
Gramophone Vol.4

BEETHOVEN: COMPLETE STRING QUARTETS

Beethoven’s string quartets need no introduction. These recordings, previously issued across six individual releases, are here collected in a box set for less than half the price of the individual discs. The Borodin Quartet equally needs no introduction. It was formed in 1945 in Moscow by the cellist Valentin Berlinsky who, amazingly, was still very much a part of the Quartet when these performances were recorded. Alongside Berlinsky, Ruben Aharonian and Andrei Abramenkov play violins and Igor Naidin viola. Classic FM magazine commented on Volume 2: ‘This redoubtable Russian group plays with all the powerful, focused tone you’d expect and brings out the entire wealth of Beethoven’s colour in these fiery performances.’ Gramophone wrote of Volume 4: ‘We are given a feeling of a voyage of discovery, and of the players’ own enjoyment of the music.’