The string instruments used in this recording are part of the Ellen M. Egger Quartet, all made by Francis Kuttner in 1987.
Composer Biography
Antonín Dvořák, like Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert, learned violin and viola as a boy, and preferred playing viola in chamber music.
Compositional Technique
The viola's rich, woody sonority plays a central role in both Dvořák's 'American' Quartet and his Piano Quintet on this album.
Instruments
The two violins in the Ellen M. Egger Quartet were made by Francis Kuttner on a 1705 Stradivari 'P' form, and the cello on a modified 1709 Stradivari 'B' form.
Composer Biography
Dvořák played viola professionally for nine years in the Provisional Theatre Orchestra in Prague, supporting himself and his family.
Performer Biography
The Alexander String Quartet, formed in 1981, was the first American quartet to win the London International String Quartet Competition in 1985.
Performer Biography
Pianist Joyce Yang won the silver medal at the 12th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2005 at age 19, also receiving awards for Best Performance of Chamber Music and a New Work.
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