Classical notes: Russian quartet’s Dublin debut

There are few, if any, ensembles whose origin reaches back into the dark era of Josef Stalin and the Cold War like the Borodin Quartet, which makes its debut in Dublin next Wednesday with Barry Douglas as soloist – a sort of Irish-Russian friendship link-up. The revered group are no stranger to Ireland, however, having played twice at West Cork Music Festival in recent times.

Douglas has significant Russian pedigree, as winner of ...