Flonzaley Quartet
| Company type | String quartet |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1902 in Manhattan, New York City, United States |
| Founder | Edward J. de Coppet |
| Defunct | 1929 |
| Headquarters | Manhattan, New York City , United States |
Area served | International |
Key people | Alfred Pochon, Ugo Ara, Louis Bailly, Félicien d'Archambeau, Nicolas Moldavan, Iwan d'Archambeau |
| Products | Classical music performances and recordings |
The Flonzaley Quartet was a string quartet established in Manhattan, New York City in 1902 and remained active until its disbandment in 1929.
Personnel
The ensemble's members were as follows:
- 1st violin: (Bagni di Lucca, 21 March 1875 – Lucca, 2 December 1950).
- 2nd violin: Alfred Pochon (Yverdon, 30 July 1878 – Lutry, 26 February 1959).
- viola: Ugo Ara (Venezia, 1876 – Lausanne, 1 December 1936), who served until 1917; succeeded by Louis Bailly (Valenciennes, 13 June 1882 – Cowansville, Québec, 21 November 1974) through 1924; then Félicien d'Archambeau until 1925; and finally Nicolas Moldavan (Kremenetz, 23 January 1891 – New York, 21 September 1974) until the group's conclusion.
- violoncello: Iwan d'Archambeau (Herve, 1879 – Villefranche-sur-Mer, 29 December 1955).
Violinist Frank Howell Holden was a frequent collaborator with the quartet.
History
Founded by New York financier Edward J. de Coppet, the quartet's original members were contracted in 1903 to dedicate themselves solely to quartet performances rather than public appearances. The ensemble took its name from de Coppet’s Swiss estate near Lausanne, where they initially rehearsed extensively before embarking on European tours that garnered critical praise for their ensemble cohesion and artistic excellence. Both violinists and the violist had studied under Belgian pedagogue César Thomson, linking them to prominent chamber groups such as the Zoellner Quartet.
Their American debut consisted of private and charitable concerts in late 1904, followed by their first public performance in the United States on December 5, 1905. The quartet adhered strictly to exclusivity by declining outside engagements and teaching opportunities, thereby securing a leading role in chamber music circles.
To enrich their repertoire and elevate their stature, the ensemble commissioned works from composer Igor Stravinsky, including "Three Pieces for String Quartet" (1914) and later "Concertino." After Éduard de Coppet passed away in 1916, his son André continued to provide financial backing. When violist Ugo Ara enlisted in the Italian army during World War I, the group underwent personnel changes. The Flonzaley Quartet sustained international performances until their dissolution in 1929.
One of their last public concerts took place at Manhattan’s Town Hall on March 17, 1929. Their farewell performance was broadcast via station WEAF on May 7, concluding a distinguished twenty-five-year tenure.
Legacy
As of 1936, their recording of Haydn’s 'Lark' quartet was still listed as 'in preparation.'
Recordings
From 1913 through 1929, The Flonzaley Quartet issued numerous acoustic and electrical recordings under the Victor Talking Machine Company. Significant recordings of major compositions include:
- Beethoven: Quartet Op. 18 No. 2 (V 1218–21/DA 851–854)
- Beethoven: Quartet in E-flat major Op. 127 (V 7629–33/DB 1377–81)
- Beethoven: Quartet in F major Op. 135 (V 122–125/DA 847–850)
- Brahms: Quintet in F minor Op. 34 featuring pianist Harold Bauer (V 6571–5/DB970-4)
- Dohnányi: Quartet No. 2 in D-flat major Op.15 (V 7354–6/DB1135–7)
- Haydn: Quartet in D major Op.64 No.5 (V7650–1)
- Mozart: Quartet in D minor K.421 (V7607–8/DB1357-8)
- Mozart: Quartet in D major K.575 (DA947–9)
- Schubert: Quartet in G major Op.161 (V7475–8/DB1373–6)
- Schumann: Quintet in E-flat major Op.44 with pianist Ossip Gabrilowitsch (V8092–5/DB1191–4)
- Smetana: Quartet No.1 in E minor (V7130–2/DB1359–61)
Further reading
- R.D. Darrell, The Gramophone Shop Encyclopedia of Recorded Music (New York, 1936)
- A. Eaglefield-Hull, A Dictionary of Modern Music and Musicians (Dent, London, 1924)
- D. Ewen, Encyclopedia of Concert Music (Hill and Wang, New York, 1959)