Borodin Quartet: Sometimes you have to prove that you're not a camel

Legendary team with skepticism sees works by contemporary composers. 10th June at the First International Festival of Plato in Voronezh was the State Borodin Quartet. At the Philharmonic, they are works of Prokofiev (Quartet No. 2), Stravinsky (Concerto), Wolf (Italian Serenade) and Myaskovsky (Quartet № 13). Before I spoke to the stage Ruben Aharonian (first violin), Vladimir Balshin (cello) and Igor Naydin (viola) with reporters. Ruben Aharonian (first violin), Vladimir Balshin (cello) and Igor Naydin (viola) spoke to reporters - you were one of the first groups, taken with their employment, Plato the invitation of the festival! - The lack of a press conference, team member, in a quartet for 30 years (Andrew Abramenkov, second violin) works could not remember that we ever had here - Igor Naydin smiled. - Respect the cultural city of Russia - why come? - As you know, there is no leader in the quartet. How do you make these kinds of decisions? - On the basis of parity, - said Ruben Aharonian. - That is the democratic way. - Reuben according to Plato and Voronezh somehow echoed in your soul? - In my soul does not bind Platonov and Voronezh. We know that Platonov - writer genuine and authentic. A Voronezh - one of the musical centers of Russia. It just so happens that at the time and on schedule as far as our quartet less than 15 years get in Voronezh. - Did you know that Andrei Platonov was born in Voronezh, began writing here? - Yes, it does not matter where he Platonov, was born in the birthplace of Mozart, the birthplace of Beethoven, Dostoevsky. They are milestones of world culture. Geniuses belong to humanity. And where they were born - it is a matter for research. - Borodin Quartet has often lead to certain works of the first contemporary writers. Now there is some contact with composers? Some new names? - Suggestions of colleagues received from time to time, - said Vladimir Balshin. - Some of my colleagues brings music to the samples, but often have to wrap this thing, because it is very difficult if it is not the kind of music quartet played all my life. Mostly it is canceled by mutual agreement. - Does it mean, the level of this composer's workshop? - Maybe this is not because of too much current interest in contemporary music - beat Igor Naydin. - Music has always been sacrificed, while I was 15 years in the team. Mostly they will be rejected. Above all I would add that the quartet serves as a musical unit very repertoire. Not only repertoire and brilliant repertoire that some members of the team can not even beat. - To be honest and sincere, New Shostakovich, Igor Stravinsky and Sergei Prokofiev is not on the horizon - added Ruben Aharonian. - Are in the near future. Maybe it will be ... The 21th Century has only just begun. And the fact that we try to play - we come to this rather challenging, and if it sounds kind of this kind of start in life. So it continues. And if there is something not executable from any point of view, it is set aside as a defective product set. Each composer, who believed himself to be, or believed, in any era, Haydn wrote music for string quartets. We do not yet played in the big ... - About You said that your team a lot of time in the flights. The case of the alarms with your tools? - Only in the post-declaration and need something red corridor - Ukraine, Armenia, Kazakhstan. Abroad, these questions did not always occur. Although it quiet. Sometimes, however, we said headache. You understand that you need to prove that you're not a camel. Sometimes, when the customs officers know their job, then it is easy and if people rarely confronted with musical instruments, then difficulties arise. - Today brought 13 quartet Myaskovsky. In some countries there is a bias in the figure 13 You do not need to remove it from his repertoire? - It is very bright, good music - says Ruben Aharonian. - Mark on the front page has no value. This is the last quartet composer. In my view, the brightest, the best, so we play it often. He walks out of the repertoire. Its been very well received. For this quartet Myaskovsky posthumously awarded the Stalin Prize. - You have said that many of the works played in the Soviet period, not by choice. Your team was more creative freedom in the Soviet era, or now? - Thank God for the memory of our late colleague, nothing has changed in 65 years of the Borodin Quartet, - said Igor Naydin. - Except for some advice not Schnittke and Shostakovich string quartets play at certain times. Or - in 1950-1960 are encouraged to play more of Soviet music. In general social changes in Russia and the world, we have not touched. - Regularly your Quartet takes an equally famous musicians. Once again, your quartet, a quintet? - Very soon, in July - said Vladimir Abramenkov. - It happens to the Chamber Music Festival in Finland. - We continue to be amazed and impressed - said Igor Naydin - that in every village in Finland, if not beautiful church with wonderful acoustics, posh concert hall. In Finland and Japan is always a great pleasure to play. By the way, why Valery Gergiev invited Japanese speakers to work at the Mariinsky Concert Hall. Ivan Tolstoy, "News Showbiz NEWSmusic.ru» photos