Alexander Borodin
Alexander Borodin's Nocturne from the String Quartet No. 2 in D is pure lyric warmth: long-breathed melody and glowing harmonic colour that sit easily beside Schubert and Tchaikovsky.
His Scherzo Prestissimo flips the coin. In David Stanhope's transcriptions for solo piano and for horn octet it becomes fleet, sparkling writing built for pure virtuosity. Between the unhurried song of the Nocturne and that breathless scherzo lies chamber music that thrives on melody which sings and figuration which flies.
Compositions by Alexander Borodin appear on
Torquing Points
An exciting juxtaposition of 20th century Australian and 19th century European musical styles. Gordon Kerry's 'Torquing Points for String Quartet' and Mark Pollard's 'The Quick or the Dead' are approachable and lyrical pieces that fit well with this CD's classical works.