Bohemian Quartet
| Company type | String quartet |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1891 |
| Defunct | 1933 |
| Headquarters | Prague , Austria-Hungary (later Czechoslovakia) |
| Products | Classical music performances and recordings |
The Bohemian Quartet (; renamed the Czech Quartet post-1918) was a distinguished Czech string quartet with international acclaim, established in 1891 and active until its dissolution in 1933.
Origins
Originating in Prague, the ensemble was formed by students of Antonín Bennewitz—namely Karel Hoffmann, Josef Suk, and Oskar Nedbal—alongside a disciple of Hanuš Wihan (). The group rose to fame under Wihan’s leadership until 1913. Wihan, previously a cellist in Ludwig II's Munich chamber quartet and a professor at the Prague Conservatory, succeeded Otto Berger following Berger’s untimely passing. Upon Wihan’s retirement due to extensive touring commitments, , formerly a member of the Ševčík-Lhotský Quartet, assumed the cello role. In 1906, during a tour in England, violist Nedbal departed unexpectedly; his position was temporarily held by Lionel Tertis before being permanently filled by Jiří Herold. The quartet gained recognition for their expressive performances of works by Dvořák and Smetana, distinguished by their rich tonal quality and energetic rhythms. By 1922, all members had accepted professorships at the Prague Conservatory. The ensemble gave its final performance on 4 December 1933, commemorating Suk’s 60th birthday.
Among their notable premieres were contemporary compositions by Antonín Dvořák and Leoš Janáček, including Janáček's second string quartet, entitled "Intimate Letters."
Personnel
- First violin
- Second violin
- Josef Suk (until 1933)
- (1933–34)
- Viola
- Oskar Nedbal (until 1906)
- Jiří Herold (1906–1934)
- Cello
- Otto Berger (until 1894)
- Hanuš Wihan (1894–1914)
- (1914–1934)
Recordings
- Smetana: String Quartet No. 1 in E minor (1876) (Polydor 78rpm, 95076-95079) (credited as 'Bohemian Quartet')
- Smetana: String Quartet No. 2 in D minor (1882) (Pathé 78rpm X 86005-86008) (private recording for Czech Academy)
- Dvořák: Quartet No. 6 (now No.12, "American") in F major, Op. 96 (Polydor 78rpm, 95084-95086) (listed as 'Bohemian (Suk) Quartet')
- Dvořák: Quartet No. 3 (now No.10) in E-flat major, Op. 51, Dumka only (Polydor 78rpm, 95087)
- Suk: Quartet No. 1 in B major, Op. 11 (Polydor 78rpm, 95080-95083)
(All recordings date from 1928–29.)
Further reading
- A. Eaglefield-Hull, A Dictionary of Modern Music and Musicians (Dent, London 1924)
- -. Boleska, Ten Years of the Czech Quartet (M. Urbánek, Prague 1902)
- J.R. Bennett, Smetana on 3000 Records (Oakwood Press 1974)
- R.D. Darrell, The Gramophone Shop Encyclopedia of Recorded Music (New York 1936)