We have seen the Emerson Quartet from USA a few years ago. Personally, I do find the Emerson ensemble over-rated (despite the long-standing DG recording contract) and found that to be so in that concert live. The Borodin String Quartet has been around for about 60 years and has changed personnel. However, the traditions (of the previous members that have moved on) are still maintained and remain intact.
They play 2 varied programmes of quartet staples as well as some rarities. The first concert (20 Aug 2008) comprised of Tchaikovsky's String Quartets Nos 1 and 3, Stravinsky's 3 Pieces and Smetana's String Quartet No 1 (From My Life) , whilst the second concert (27 Aug 2008) consisted of Beethoven's Op 18 No 2, Shostakovich's No 8 and Borodin's No 2.
A clear sign of their musical, technical and ensemble superiority could be heard in a direct comparison of the Shostakovich String Quartet No 8, which was also common to the Emerson Quartet's concert. Their performances of the great Russian quartets in the 2 concerts are beyond compare. It is always a pleasure to hear the Russian musicians at the DFP in the music of their own countrymen. (This also brings back great momeries of Yuri Bashmet and the Moscow Soloists at the DFP a few years before).
Encores at the concerts were a short piece by Stravinsky and a late Beethoven quartet movement - all beautifully played yet again.
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