The Brahms C minor Quartet, recorded in 1950, was one of the first Budapest Quartet recordings made at the Library of Congress under studio conditions.
Performer Biography
Alexander Schneider, the second violinist, was considered the Budapest Quartet's outstanding personality and finest musician, but left the group in 1944.
Performer Biography
The Budapest Quartet, which consisted entirely of Russians from 1936, was established as the leading string quartet in America by the 1950s.
Recording & Production
From 1950, the Budapest Quartet began recording in the Coolidge Auditorium at the Library of Congress, a space where they also gave many concerts.
Recording & Production
The Schubert C major Quintet recording featured here was made in 1941 in New York's Liederkranz Hall, during a particularly strong period for the ensemble.
Instruments
Working at the Library of Congress enabled the Budapest Quartet players to use the Library's four Stradivari instruments for their recording sessions.
Recording & Production
By the time the Brahms A-minor and B-flat Quartets were recorded, Columbia was using tape to its full potential, allowing for longer takes and 'patching' of mistakes.
