Rosé Quartet
| Company type | String quartet |
|---|---|
| Industry | Classical music performance |
| Founded | 1882 |
| Founder | Arnold Rosé |
| Defunct | 1939 |
| Headquarters | Vienna , Austria |
| Products | Concert performances, recordings |
The Rosé Quartet was a string quartet founded by Arnold Rosé in 1882 and remained active for a span of 55 years, concluding its activities in 1939.
Members
The composition of the ensemble changed throughout its existence. Arnold Rosé maintained the role of first violinist throughout. The position of second violin was originally occupied by Julius Egghard Jr., followed by Albert Bachrich, and from 1905 onward, Paul Fischer took over. Viola duties were performed initially by Anton Loh, then by Hugo von Steiner until 1901, succeeded by Anton Ruzitska, with Max Handl assuming the role after 1920. The cello seat began with Arnold’s brother, Eduard Rosé, who departed after just one season; he was succeeded by Reinhold Hummer and subsequently Friedrich Buxbaum. In 1921, Anton Walter joined the group, although Buxbaum later returned to the position. The quartet’s most distinguished lineup existed between 1905 and 1920, featuring Rosé, Fischer, Ruzitska, and Buxbaum.
Repertoire
The Rosé Quartet’s programming centered on the classical canon, prominently featuring works by Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven. They also embraced modern compositions by contemporary composers such as Arnold Schoenberg, thereby enhancing their relevance through premieres and performances of avant-garde music.
Associations
In Vienna, the ensemble was responsible for premiering important compositions including those by Brahms, notably his Clarinet Quintet and the Quintet in G major Opus 111, as well as Schoenberg’s initial two string quartets. They took part in the debut performance of Schoenberg's Verklärte Nacht alongside members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra: violist Franz Jelinek and cellist Franz Schmidt. Their collaborations extended to renowned artists such as Julius Röntgen, Brahms himself, Bruno Walter, and Richard Mühlfeld. Additionally, the quartet made recordings that contributed to their commercial presence.
References in popular culture
- Within Peter Shaffer's play The White Liars, Baroness Lemburg mentions that her father performed with "The Rosé String Quartet," underscoring the group's cultural significance.
External links
- First Chapter of Alma Rose book featuring details about the quartet