The medical chemist Alexander Borodin composed his String Quartet No. 1 in A major in 1874/1879. This voluminous work was a tribute to Beethoven and a great success. However, a work like this was way out of league for the amateurs who were playing in Belyayev’s quartet. They preferred more pleasing music that was not too profound, that is the type of music with which the string quartet became socially acceptable in the first place. Friday evenings at Belyayev’s were unique and much appreciated events in that time.
Alexander Borodin – String Quartet No. 1, in A major (1874)
1. Moderato, 2. Andante con moto – Fugato – Un poco piu mosso, 3. Scherzo – Prestissimo, 4. Andante – Allegro risoluto
Performed by: Borodin Quartet
CD: Melodyia
From: Les Vendredis
Nikolaj Artsibushev – Serenade in A major.
Anatoly Lyadov – Polka in D major.
Felix Blumenfeld – Sarabande in G minor.
Performed by: Szymanowski Quartet
CD: SWR Classics (Südwestfunk Radio)
Additional from Les vendredis:
Anatoly Lyadov – Fugue in D minor.
