Mozart, Schumann & Others: Works for String Quartet

Featuring

Oscar Shumsky
Josef Gingold
William Primrose
Harvey Shapiro
Jesús María Sanromá
The Primrose Quartet

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Robert Schumann
Joseph Haydn
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Johannes Brahms
Bedřich Smetana

Did you know?

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Performer Biography

The Primrose String Quartet was formed in 1938 at the instigation of the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) in New York, initially intended to be called the 'NBC String Quartet'.

Recording & Production

Due to a strike by the American Federation of Musicians in 1942, many recordings by the Primrose String Quartet, including Mozart's G-major and Brahms's B-flat Quartets, were never commercially issued.

Performer Biography

The quartet was named after its violist, William Primrose, because he was the most renowned member, a decision he found unusual and embarrassing.

Interpretation

The Primrose String Quartet was described as an "ensemble of equals," combining rich sound with precise rhythm, and their playing blended perfectly despite featuring four distinctive soloists.

Performer Biography

Josef Gingold, the second violinist, studied with the legendary Eugène Ysaÿe in Brussels and later served as concertmaster for the Detroit and Cleveland Orchestras.

Performer Biography

Jesús María Sanromá, the pianist featured on the Schumann Piano Quintet, was born in Puerto Rico and had a distinguished career as a soloist, premiering many contemporary works with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Performer Biography

Oscar Shumsky, the first violinist of the Primrose String Quartet, made his debut at age seven with the Philadelphia Orchestra, conducted by Leopold Stokowski.