Aeolian Quartet

Aeolian Quartet

Company type	String quartet
Industry	Music
Predecessor	Stratton Quartet
Founded	1944
Defunct	1981
Headquarters	London , United Kingdom
Area served	International

The Aeolian Quartet was a London-based string quartet with an extensive record of international touring, recording, and radio broadcasting. It emerged as the successor to the pre-Second World War Stratton Quartet, adopting the Aeolian name in 1944 and continuing until its dissolution in 1981.

Personnel

The membership of the Aeolian Quartet throughout its existence from 1944 to 1981 was as follows:

• 1944–1947: Max Salpeter (first violin); Colin Sauer (second violin); Watson Forbes (viola); John Moore (cello)
• 1948–1952: Alfred Cave / Leonard Dight / Watson Forbes / John Moore (until 1957)
• 1953–1964: Sydney Humphreys / Trevor Williams / Watson Forbes / Derek Simpson (from 1957)
• 1965–1970: Sydney Humphreys / Raymond Keenlyside / Margaret Major / Derek Simpson
• 1970–1981: Emanuel Hurwitz / Raymond Keenlyside / Margaret Major / Derek Simpson

Occasionally, other musicians briefly occupied inner parts, such as Robert Cooper who played second violin in February 1962.

Origins and activities

The Stratton Quartet gained prominence during the 1920s and 1930s. Its leader, George Stratton, found it challenging to juggle responsibilities with both the London Symphony Orchestra and his quartet, which contributed to the establishment of the Aeolian Quartet. Throughout WWII, the Stratton Quartet performed regularly at the National Gallery, before adopting the Aeolian name in 1944. Violist Watson Forbes and cellist John Moore transitioned directly from the Stratton to the Aeolian ensemble. Max Salpeter (1908–2010), previously part of the Kutcher String Quartet and leader of the initial New London Orchestra, assumed the role of first violin.

The quartet took part in significant events such as the May 1946 Prague Spring International Music Festival and the International Contemporary Music Festival held in London in July of that same year.

Between 1948 and 1952, under Alfred Cave’s leadership, recordings included pieces like Peter Warlock's The Curlew, featuring notable artists such as Léon Goossens. They also produced recordings of Purcell Fantasias that included future member Emanuel Hurwitz.

Sydney Humphreys led from 1952 until 1970, defining what is often regarded as the quartet’s most distinguished lineup. A Canadian violinist trained by Frederick Grinke and George Enescu, Humphreys earned recognition as both a concertmaster and chamber musician, also performing with ensembles like the St Cecilia Trio and Purcell String Quartet.

In 1970, Emanuel Hurwitz took over as leader. A Royal Academy of Music scholar discovered by Bronisław Huberman, Hurwitz held prominent roles including sub-leader of the Boyd Neel orchestra, leader of both the Melos Ensemble and English Chamber Orchestra—the latter achieving worldwide recognition under his direction. He was awarded the Worshipful Company of Musicians' Gold Medal in 1965 and served as guest leader for the New Philharmonia Orchestra.

Raymond Keenlyside, father of baritone Simon Keenlyside, also led both Boyd Neel and English Chamber Orchestras. Educated at Trinity College of Music, he later became a faculty member there. Violist Margaret Major studied at the Royal College of Music, where she won the Lionel Tertis Viola Competition along with an IMA concert award. Prior to her professorship at RCM, she was principal viola for ensembles including the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra and Philomusica of London. Cellist Derek Simpson earned distinguished scholarships and awards such as the Queen's Prize and held a teaching position at the Royal Academy of Music.

Activities

From 1966 through 1973, the Quartet embarked on tours throughout Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Australia. By 1973, their itinerary had expanded to include 33 concerts across Central and South America as well as the Caribbean, highlighted by performances of Haydn quartets at Buenos Aires' renowned Teatro Colón. Their engagements also encompassed cities such as Amsterdam, Brussels, and destinations in the Far East. During 1973–74, their tours extended to Spain, the Middle East, Belgium, Italy, and Portugal. Noteworthy appearances included participation in the Edinburgh Festival in both 1970 and 1972. In 1977, plans were made for tours in Australia and New Zealand featuring violist Kenneth Essex, alongside recordings of Mozart's viola quintets. Additionally, they founded international summer schools dedicated to chamber music in northern Italy and contributed to the 1976 York Festival.

Throughout the early 1970s, the Quartet sustained a significant presence within the UK by performing at universities and conducting master classes. They were honored with honorary degrees from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1970 and held affiliations with both the University of Reading and University of East Anglia. Their profile was further elevated through frequent broadcasts on the BBC. Between 1973 and 1976, they undertook a pioneering recording series for Argo Records (UK) (a Decca subsidiary), producing the first complete set of Haydn quartets based on a new edition edited by H. C. Robbins Landon.

The Quartet broke new ground with a televised presentation of all Beethoven's late quartets on BBC Two across five consecutive evenings in March 1975; this series was subsequently broadcast internationally. They also recorded the theme music for the well-known BBC comedy Fawlty Towers, which premiered in 1975.

Recordings

The Quartet's earlier formation—comprising Humphreys, Keenlyside, Forbes, and Simpson—is featured on vinyl releases under the 'Revolution Records' label (a Delta Records imprint distributed by RCA), including a rendition of the Elgar piano quintet with Leonard Cassini (Revolution LP RCB.8). This recording continues a lineage that dates back to the Stratton Quartet’s 1933 interpretation of Elgar’s quintet involving Watson Forbes. Recordings predating 1953 of Mozart’s String Quartet No. 21, K. 575, and No. 23, K. 590 include performances by Alfred Cave, Leonard Dight, Watson Forbes, and John Moore.

Their extensive catalogue is particularly distinguished by the complete Haydn cycle, which includes the controversial Op. 3 collection and The Seven Last Words of Christ featuring poetic recitations by Peter Pears. The Schubert C major quintet, D. 956 (circa 1966), showcases cellist Bruno Schrecker as a guest artist. Their recordings also encompass Robert Simpson’s quartet and clarinet quintet with clarinetist Bernard Walton.

In 1949, under Alfred Cave’s leadership, they recorded Nikolai Medtner’s piano quintet with Medtner himself at the piano—marking the premiere recording of this work—part of an initiative funded by the Maharaja of Mysore to capture Medtner performing his own compositions.

See also

• List of string quartet ensembles

Sources

• "The Aeolian String Quartet," featured in Haydn String Quartets, Argo Records (UK) LP series, volume 9 (HDNL 49-51) insert, page 6.
• R. Barret-Ayres, "The String Quartets of Joseph Haydn: Opus 3 & Seven Last Words from the Cross" (Decca, Argo division, London 1977). (Argo Haydn, volume 11, HDNV 82-84 insert).