THE TECHNIC OF QUARTET PLAYING

“Naturally, the first violin is the leader, the Conductor of the quartet, as in its early days, although the ‘star’ system, with one virtuose player and three satellites, has disappeared.  Now the quartet as a whole has established itself in the virtuoso field—­using the word virtuoso in its best sense.  The Mueller quartet (Hanover), 1845-1850, was the first to travel as a chamber music organization, and the famous Florentiner Quartet the first to realize what could be done in the way of finish in playing.  As premier violiniste of the Flonzaley’s I study and prepare the interpretation of the works we are to play before any rehearsing is done.

“While the first violin still holds first place in the modern quartet, the second violin has become much more important than formerly; it has gained in individuality.  In many of the newer quartets it is quite as important as the first.  In Hugo Wolf’s quartet, for example, first and second violins are employed as though in a concerto for two violins.

“The viola, especially in modern French works—­Ravel, Debussy, Samazeuil—­has a prominent part.  In the older quartets one reason the viola parts are simple is because the alto players as a rule were technically less skillful.  As a general thing they were violinists who had failed—­’the refugees of the G clef,’ as Edouard Colonne, the eminent conductor, once wittily said.  But the reason modern French composers give the viola special attention is because France now is ahead of the other nations in virtuose viola playing.  It is practically the only country which may be said to have a ‘school’ of viola playing.  In the Smetana quartet the viola plays a most important part, and Dvorak, who himself played viola, emphasized the instrument in his quartets.

“Mozart showed what the ’cello was able to do in the quartets he dedicated to the ‘’cellist king,’ Frederick William of Prussia.  And then, the ’cello has always the musical importance which attaches to it as the lower of the two ‘outer voices’ of the quartet ensemble.  Like the second violin and viola, it has experienced a technical and musical development beyond anything Haydn or Mozart would have dared to write.

REHEARSING

“Realization of the Art aims of the modern quartet calls for endless rehearsal.  Few people realize the hard work and concentrated effort entailed.  And there are always new problems to solve.  After preparing a new score in advance, we meet and establish its general idea, its broad outlines in actual playing.  And then, gradually, we fill in the details.  Ordinarily we rehearse three hours a day, less during the concert season, of course; but always enough to keep absolutely in trim.  And we vary our practice programs in order to keep mentally fresh as well as technically fit.

INTONATION