The Kolisch Quartet did not return to Vienna after Hitler annexed Austria in 1938 because its members were considered Jewish and associated with Arnold Schoenberg, whose music was banned by the Nazis.
Notable Performances
The Kolisch Quartet was formed to perform new music and gave premieres of works by composers such as Alban Berg, Arnold Schoenberg, Anton Webern, and Béla Bartók.
Performer Biography
Rudolf Kolisch, the first violinist, was a student of Arnold Schoenberg, and later became his brother-in-law when Schoenberg married Kolisch's sister, Gertrud.
Performer Biography
Eugene Lehner, the violist of the Kolisch Quartet, was a self-taught violinist whose talent was recognized by Béla Bartók, who arranged for his formal studies.
Performer Biography
Hortense Monath, the pianist on the Schumann Piano Quartet, was a distinguished soloist who played with major American orchestras and co-founded the New Friends of Music chamber music series.
Interpretation
The Kolisch Quartet was known for performing from memory, which allowed the musicians to maintain eye contact and respond to each other without sheet music.
Performer Biography
Rudolf Kolisch, the first violinist of the Kolisch String Quartet, suffered a severe hand injury and had to re-learn the violin by reversing his bowing and fingering hands.
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