Borodin Chamber Music

Borodin Chamber Music, performed by the Moscow Trio and Moscow String Quartet ★★★★★
Alexander Borodin was a Russian chemist associated with “The Five”, a group of amateur musicians that sought to reform Russian music. The others in “the Five” were Balakirev, Cui, Rimsky-Korsakov,  and Mussorgsky. Though the musical output of the Five was not massive, it did have a profound influence on composers to follow, including Tchaikovsky and the 20th-century Russian composers. Borodin has a sweet style to his music that is neither harsh on the ears nor lacking in luster. Borodin’s chamber music is not commonly heard, and that’s a shame since it is both tuneful and creative. The recording is flawless with a strong sense of presence, and the performances by the Moscow Trio/Quartet manifest charm in their interpretation. This is a worthy set to have in either small or large collections.