Collection of Promotional Photographs and Grammy Nomination Certificates

A small collection of photographs and ephemera from the celebrated American string quartet, noted for its longevity and bold, dramatic interpretations of the quartet literature. The collection includes four original promotional photographs of the complete quartet, ca. 1970's, one photograph of Sawyer, an unidentified man and pianist Anton Kuerti studying a score around the piano, four portraits and two performance photographs of cellist David Soyer, a two-sided promotional poster celebrating the quartet's thirtieth anniversary, and two original 1982 and 1988 nomination certificates from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Particularly striking is a large 11 x 14 portrait photograph of Soyer as a younger man playing the cello. Photographs 6 x 10 to 11 x 14 inches and overall in very fine condition.

Unlike many other great quartets of the twentieth century, the Guarneri operated in an egalitarian manner as four equally important members. Fostering an open relationship with their audiences, they frequently held open rehearsals, where the public could see them, for example, arguing vigorously about articulation! The Guarneri is often credited with popularizing the string quartet repertoire in the United States in the late twentieth century. Cellist David Soyer (1925–2010) was the oldest member of the original four, and handed over the position of cellist to his student Peter Wiley in 2001. Soyer, who had studied with Feuermann and Casals, was known as a particularly blunt and outspoken member of the quartet.

From the collection of David Soyer's wife, the American harpist Janet Putnam (1921–2011), a member of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and a jazz harpist who made recordings with Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Miles Davis, and Artie Shaw. (15580)

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Unsigned Photograph

Classical Music

Ephemera

$1,200.00

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