Prazak Quartet, Jaromir Klepac - Borodin: String Quartet No. 2/Cello Sonata/Piano Quintet (2000)

Although Alexander Borodin was not first and foremost a musician or composer, he nonetheless produced an abundance of works in virtually all popular genres. Many of his works remain in the standard repertoire today. Of his numerous chamber works, the Second String Quartet in D major is easily his most recognizable, frequently performed piece. Written in the same lush, Romantic vein and included on this Praga Digitals album are the B minor Cello Sonata -- for which Borodin himself played the cello part at the premiere -- and the sometimes jovial, sometimes contemplative Piano Quintet in C minor. Performing are members of the Prazák Quartet joined by pianist Jaromir Klepac. Prazák's interpretation of the well-known quartet is especially enjoyable. They neither shy away from nor over-exaggerate the work's overt opulence and lyricism, thus avoiding the pitfall of making the quartet overindulgent or saccharine. The ensemble produces a tight-knit sound that pleasantly brings out the active inner voices. Intonation is generally solid throughout the disc. The addition of the piano brings with it some sound quality issues. While the quartet was clear and well-defined, the cello sonata and piano quintet are both a bit muddy and less precisely balanced between all the instruments involved. Still, as Vol. 1 of the group's survey of Borodin's chamber music, Prazák is off to a respectable start and listeners can look forward to additional contributions.