Shostakovich*, The Borodin Quartet* – The Complete String Quartets, Vol. 1 (Nos. 1-5)
Label:
Melodiya/Seraphim – SIC-6034
Format:
3 x Vinyl, LP, Stereo, Scranton pressing
Box Set, Stereo
Country:
US
Released:
Mar 1969
Genre:
Classical
Style:
Modern, Contemporary
Quartet No. 1 In C, Op. 49 (13:50)
A1 I. Moderato
A2 II. Moderato, Theme And Variations
A3 III. Allegro Molto, Scherzo
A4 IV. Allegro
Quartet No. 2 In A, Op. 68
A5 I. Overture: Moderato Con Moto 8:05
B1 II. Recitative And Romance: Adagio
B2 III. Valse: Allegretto
B3 IV. Theme With Variations
Quartet No. 3 In F, Op. 73
C1 I. Allegretto 16:10
C2 II. Moderato Con Moto
C3 III. Allegro Non Troppo
D1 IV. Adagio, Passacaglia 16:35
Quartet No. 4 In D, Op. 83 (24:55)
E1 I. Allegretto
E2 II. Andantino
E3a III. Allegretto -
E3b IV. Allegretto
Quartet No. 5 In B-Flat, Op. 92 (29:25)
F1a I. Allegro Non Troppo -
F1b II. Andante -
F1c III. Moderato - Allegretto -
Record Company – Seraphim – SIC-6034
Recorded By – Мелодия
Pressed By – Capitol Records Pressing Plant, Scranton
Cello – Valentin Berlinsky
Composed By – Dmitri Shostakovich
Producer, Engineer – Yuri Kokzhayan
Sleeve Notes – Yoritoyo Inouye*
Viola – Dmitri Shebalin
Violin – Rostislav Dubinsky, Yaroslav Alexandrov
First Pressing Label: Red with black type except for record logos in white. Label has black stars and a circle around the border
Original Borodin String Quartet recordings as released by Melodiya in 1967:
Dmitri Shostakovich - Borodin String Quartet / Prokofiev Quartet - Квартеты
These performances were then issued in the west by Melodiya/Seraphim. This the first volume. The second volume is:
Dmitri Shostakovich, Borodin String Quartet - The Complete String Quartets (Vol. 2 Nos. 6-11)
Around the time these recordings were released, Shostakovich completed two more quartets. These were recorded and released in 1972:
Dmitri Shostakovich / Borodin String Quartet - Quartet No. 12 - Quartet No. 13
This new set of the "Complete Quartets" was issued in the west by Melodiya/His Master's Voice in 1974:
Dmitri Shostakovich, Borodin String Quartet - String Quartets 1-13
This original set of 13 quartets was remastered and reissued by Chandos in 2003:
Dmitri Shostakovich, Borodin String Quartet - String Quartets 1 - 13
The original quartet lost Yaroslav Alexandrov due to ill health in 1974, followed by the defection of first violinist Rostislav Dubinsky to the west in 1976. The quartet reformed under the leadership of Valentin Berlinsky. New performances of all 15 Shostakovich quartets were recorded from 1978-1983:
Dmitri Shostakovich / Borodin String Quartet - Квартеты № 1, 15
Dmitri Shostakovich, Borodin String Quartet - Complete Quartets
Dubinsky's defection bruised Soviet pride. Domestic releases of this era avoid references to the changes of quartet membership and are ambiguous about the performers and dates of recordings.
Dated Discogs releases and reissues from 1979 onward are ambiguous about the precise membership of the quartet:
Borodin String Quartet, Dmitri Shostakovich - String Quartets, Vol. 1
This volume comes with a six panel tri-fold booklet.
Matrix / Runout (Side A etched): S-1-6034-A1
Matrix / Runout (Side B etched): S-2-6034-A1
Matrix / Runout (Side C etched): S3-6034-B2 #2
Matrix / Runout (Side D etched): S4-6034-A5
Matrix / Runout (Side E etched): S5-6034-B2
Matrix / Runout (Side F etched, "I AM" within a triangle stamped): S6-6034-A1 I AM
Pressing Plant ID (etched on all sides, Scranton Pressing mark): A machine stamped triangle with the initials IAM8067
Other (Disc I Catalog Number): BL 32505
Other (Disc II Catalog Number): BL 32506
Other (Disc III Catalog Number): BL 32507
Other (Disc IV Catalog Number): BL 32508
Other (Bonus Disc): BS 33 STEREO
GOLDMINE GRADING
MINT ---- It should appear to be perfect. No scuffs or scratches, blotches or stains, labels or writing, tears or splits. Mint means perfect.
NEAR MINT ---- Otherwise mint but has one or two tiny inconsequential flaws that do not affect play. Covers should be close to perfect with minor signs of wear or age just becoming evident: slight ring-wear, minor denting to a corner, or writing on the cover should all be noted properly.
VERY GOOD PLUS ---- The record has been handled and played infrequently or very carefully. Not too far from perfect. On a disc, there may be light paper scuffs from sliding in and out of a sleeve or the vinyl or some of the original luster may be lost. A slight scratch that did not affect play would be acceptably VG+ for most collectors.
VERY GOOD ---- Record displays visible signs of handling and playing, such as loss of vinyl luster, light surface scratches, groove wear and spindle trails. Some audible surface noise, but should not overwhelm the musical experience. Usually a cover is VG when one or two of these problems are evident: ring wear, seam splits, bent corners, loss of gloss, stains, etc.
GOOD ---- Well played with little luster and significant surface noise. Despite defects, record should still play all the way through without skipping. Several cover flaws will be apparent, but should not obliterate the artwork.
POOR ---- Any record or cover that does not qualify for the above "Good" grading should be seen as Poor. Several cover flaws.