Budapest String Quartet (1917–1967)
Signed Program
Signed program of a recital of the Budapest String Quartet at Town Hall, New York, on February 18, 1934. 6 pp. Inscribed to cover (counted as p. 1) by first violinist Josef Roisman, "To / Donn Purvis / in remembrance / 30 years ago. A long time! Joseph[!] Roisman / Jan. 1964," and signed by second violinist Alexander Schneider (with enigmatic date, "March 1904," added) and cellist Mischa Schneider. Not signed by violist Stephan (or István) Ipolyi, who had left the quartet in 1936 and died in 1955. 9 x 6 inches (23.2 x 15 cm). Slightly frayed and somewhat browned; else in fine condition."During the quartet's history, the membership changed completely. In 1927 Joseph Roisman joined as second violin, becoming the leader within a few years. It was under Roisman that the quartet became internationally famous on both sides of the Atlantic. After extensive tours of Europe the players settled in the USA in 1938. From that year until 1962 they were quartet-in-residence at the Library of Congress, Washington. In 1962 they moved to a similar post at the State University of New York, Buffalo. During this period they continued to undertake world tours, becoming especially renowned for their interpretations of Beethoven’s quartets, which they performed in their entirety almost every year, and which they recorded three times." Robert Philip in Grove Music Online
(22306)Classical Music Signed Document/Item