Borodin Quartet - Beethoven: String Quartets, Vol.3 (2004)

The third volume of the Borodin Quartet's long-awaited digital set of Beethoven's cycle presents one bold work from the end of the middle period, the String Quartet in F minor, Op. 95; the deeply moving late masterpiece, the String Quartet in C sharp minor, Op. 131; and the sui generis Grosse Fuge in B flat major, Op. 133, which is treated here as a quartet in its own right. The musicians face great challenges in playing these quartets, for few other works tax their concentration, group cohesion, intellect, emotion, and physical stamina as much; it should come as no surprise that they are always wrung out after their all-Beethoven concerts. However, it seems that ample time was given here for recovery between sessions, because the ensemble succeeds brilliantly in conveying Beethoven's bold ideas, powerful expressions, and muscular counterpoint without the slightest trace of fatigue. In fact, the Borodin is at times almost too energetic, and one may feel that the opening movement of Op. 131 is too urgent, or that the Grosse Fuge's more mysterious passages are played too impatiently. But on the whole, this is a splendid disc, and its dynamic performances may spur the listener seek out the other volumes. Chandos provides superb sound quality.