Breakup: America’s top string quartet calls it quits
NewsIn an unmistakable time of changing times, the Emerson Quartet have decided to terminate their ensemble in 2023.
The four original players met in Juilliard in the 1970s and have undergone only one player change in 40 years when cellist David Finckel was replaced by Paul Watkins in 2012.
The other three are Eugene Drucker and Philip Setzer (violins) and Lawrence Dutton (viola).
Together they have formed an exemplary enterprise at the heart of the world’s chamber music circuit – traditional and adventurous, precise and profound, a role model to all other quartets.
Covid-19, however, has killed the touring circuit and part of the subscription audience. The Emersons have done well to last as long as they have done. Let’s give them the best possible send-off.
Well, they’re not young men anymore, either. The original three in their late 60s/early 70s, I imagine. That might be a factor, too.
A friend just told me he’s retiring from music, he’s 87, so maybe there age isn’t a big factor. The drummer Roy Haynes is 95 and still kicking it like he was 35.
Tony bennett was told not to give concerts
By his doctor he is 95.
Few quartets have lasted longer than the Emersons, and some outlasted their welcome. Stepping down gracefully as a quartet, after such a productive run, while at the top of their game cannot be criticized.
We can only wish the Emersons well, and hope they will stay active individually. There are many precedents. Menahem Pressler’s post Beaux Arts Trio career has been remarkable.
Hats off
Agreed. I have many of their recordings.
Thank you for the music.
It is a shame that so many of these distinguished ensembles now feel that it is not worth continuing. Thanks to all of them for some wonderful music in the past 40+ years
Very sad how culture is simply crumbling away everywhere. A huge loss for sure.
This virus is the devil in disguise. Everybody
Suffers.
Although not relevant to the decision to disband the aside that David Finckel “was replaced”, as opposed to opted to leave, from the original group has a pejorative connotation. At the time it was reported “In a statement, Finckel says he was spurred to leave the quartet to make more time for his other artistic and educational outlets. (Always technologically oriented, he’s recently created a 100-part series of online “Cello Talk” tutorials for student players.)”. Regardless, another unfortunate consequence of our collective failure to deal with COVID rationally.
I read two other articles (Strad and Vulture) about their retirement in two years. No mention of Covid as a factor in any of the other articles. They’ve been at it for 45+ years which seems reason enough.
In a statement, Drucker said, ’Looking back on more than four decades of life in the Emerson Quartet, it is with a mixture of pride and nostalgia that we announce our retirement at the end of the summer of 2023. In addition to the great music we’ve been privileged to share with audiences and with each other, it is the opportunity to connect with close friends that has meant the most to us over the years. Now, as we contemplate our future careers, which will afford us the opportunity to continue performing as individuals and to pass the fruits of our experience on to younger generations of chamber players, we also wish to express our gratitude to all the instrumentalists, singers, composers, actors and directors with whom we have been honoured to collaborate.’
An amazing legacy! I remember hearing them play all 6 Bartok quartets in a single concert back in the ’90s. Bravo to them all!
The Escher Qt. whom they, along with David Sawyer of the Guarneri Qt coached, just played all six Bartok Qts. in two nights last month @ the Bravo Vail CO Festival and finished on the third night with performances of 12 of Bartok’s 44 violin duets and his piano quintet.
So what?
Legacy.
Perhaps if you’d heard them play, you’d change your tune instead of “so what?” to WOW.
Wow how?
Their The Art of the Fugue recording is good.
Oddly, I have seen them perform/worked with all members of the quartet (including David Finckel) separately in various capacities, but have never seen them all perform together as the Emerson Quartet. I guess my opportunity is closing.
I heard them many times, and they never had a bad night. I’m going to play their Shost. #8 now, then the Schubert Quintet w/Slava.
Really sad, if this is indeed true. Their recording of the Debussy and Ravel string quartets was one of the very first classical CDs I owned…
So, who was Emerson – in this context – anyway?
Ralph Waldo
Superlative ensemble, magnificent musicians, warmly generous human beings. Exemplars indeed, carrying that baton from Guarneri, who in turn took over from the Budapest.
Thank you, gentlemen, for such a wonderful journey, and here’s hoping Covid allows the glorious send-off you so richly deserve!
String quartet music is the music I most love. I will miss the Emerson Quartet and hope that new Quartets will spring up to continue in their place. Bouquet of flowers.
At Wantagh High on the south shore of Nassau County on Long Island near Jones Beach, the future Emerson Quartet violist, Lawrence Dutton, a senior, and myself, a sophomore, attended a music theory course taught by renowned music educator Rollan Masciarelli. On occasion we would run into each other on the Long Island Railroad station in Wantagh very early on Saturday morning; Larry headed to Juilliard pre-college, and myself for piano lessons with Barney Bragin in Queens. At that time, Larry also played electric or amplified violin in a rock band formed by our common friend, future chef, Peter Graziano, providing an uncommon flair charged with considerable excitement, his technical and musical brilliance unleashed for all who witnessed. Best wishes to Larry and his colleagues for their future creative adventures.
http://www.azuremilesrecords.com/wellspringofjoyrollanmasciarelli.html
I bet I’ve listened to some of their Bartok recordings 100 times. Wonderful musicians and a great recorded legacy. Enjoy retirement (I know I do!).
Great quartet. They are above typical US retirement age and deserve to enjoy the “golden years”.
Where does all the above angst come from? There are great new younger US quartets. They will move forward – just as the Emerson did on their time.
Great group. I will miss them.
End of an era. One of the greatest quartets of our time imho.
“Covid-19, however, has killed the touring circuit and part of the subscription audience.” I feel like there could be a more tactful way to phrase that….
I knew them when! In 1976 I conducted the City College Orchestra at Town Hall. To augment the string section I hired the then very new Emerson Quartet. We have all come a long way since then.