One of the most popular Romantic string quartets had its premiere performance on today’s date in 1882 at a Russian Musical Society concert in Saint Petersburg.

Alexander Borodin’s String Quartet No. 2 was dedicated to his wife, Ekaterina Protopova. They had met in Heidelberg, Germany 20 years earlier, and since Borodin had just returned from another trip to Heidelberg, his new quartet may have been an anniversary present.  Some commentators even suggest the cello represents Borodin and the first violin, Ekaterina. So what about the second violin and viola? Well, maybe they’re meant to be the two witnesses at the wedding!

Fast forward to 1953, when some of the tunes in Borodin’s Quartet were repurposed in a Broadway musical entitled Kismet. This one, for example, was set to the lyrics, “Baubles, bangles, and beads,” which are, after all, more conventional anniversary presents.

Alexander Borodin (1833-1877) — String Quartet No. 2 (Cleveland Quartet) Telarc 80178