LaSalle Quartet
| Company type | String quartet |
|---|---|
| Industry | Classical music, chamber music |
| Founded | 1946 |
| Founder | Walter Levin |
| Defunct | 1987 |
Area served | International |
Key people | Walter Levin (first violin), Henry Meyer (second violin), Max Felde (viola), Peter Kamnitzer (viola), Richard Kapuscinski (cello), Jack Kirstein (cello), Lee Fiser (cello) |
| Products | Performances and recordings of classical and modern string quartet repertoire |
The LaSalle Quartet was a prominent string quartet that operated from 1946 until 1987, established by first violinist Walter Levin. The ensemble took its name from a Manhattan apartment where its members resided during the group's early days and performed using a set of Amati instruments provided through donation.
Famed for their dedication to the Second Viennese School—notably composers Schoenberg, Berg, and Webern—the LaSalle Quartet also incorporated works by European modernists alongside classical and romantic staples. They were responsible for premiering significant compositions such as Witold Lutosławski's String Quartet in Stockholm (1965) and György Ligeti's Second String Quartet in Baden-Baden (1969), the latter being expressly dedicated to them. The ensemble played an instrumental role in the revival of interest in Zemlinsky’s music, contributing to what is known as the "Zemlinsky Renaissance," and earned the prestigious Deutscher Schallplattenpreis for their recording of his complete four string quartets.
Their recorded repertoire features Beethoven's late string quartets, Mendelssohn's initial two quartets, Schubert’s String Quintet D956 performed with cellist Lynn Harrell, as well as works by Brahms, Ravel, and Debussy.
The LaSalle Quartet held the position of quartet-in-residence at the University of Cincinnati – College-Conservatory of Music, where cellist Lee Fiser was part of the faculty until his retirement in 2017.
Members
- Walter Levin, founder and first violinist; after significant work in Basel, Switzerland, he later moved to Chicago; passed away in August 2017.
- Henry Meyer, founding second violinist; served as a distinguished educator at the College-Conservatory of Music for over 25 years; honored with the American Classical Music Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award; died December 2006.
- Max Felde, original violist; pursued his career in New York and subsequently Canada, holding positions such as assistant principal viola with the CBC Chamber Orchestra and violist with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra for more than 25 years; also recognized as a skilled instrument craftsman; deceased 2005.
- Peter Kamnitzer, violist from 1949 through 1987; passed away in Israel in February 2016.
- Richard Kapuscinski, cellist during 1946–1955.
- Jack Kirstein, served as cellist from 1955 until 1975; died August 1996.
- Lee Fiser, joined in 1975 with encouragement from Jack Kirstein and his wife Jeanne; faculty member at C.C.M., active international duet performer, and conductor of the Northern Kentucky Symphony.
Personnel
| Name | Dates | Role | Tenure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walter Levin | (*Berlin, 1924 – †2017) | First violin (founder & leader) | 1946–1987 |
| Henry Meyer | (*Dresden, 1923 – †2006) | Second violin (founding member) | 1948–1987 |
| Max Felde | (*1917 – †2005) | Viola (founder) | 1946–1949 |
| Peter Kamnitzer | (*Berlin, 1922 – †2016) | Viola | 1949–1987 |
| Richard Kapuscinski | (*1921 – †1991) | Cello | 1946–1955 |
| Jack Kirstein | (*1921 – †1996) | Cello | 1955–1975 |
| Lee Fiser | (*1947 – ) | Cello | 1975–1987 |