The very last notes of the Emerson Quartet

The very last notes of the Emerson Quartet

News

norman lebrecht

October 24, 2023

From The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center:

The Emerson String Quartet debuted on the CMS stage in 1982 and it was a profound honor to have been entrusted with their final performance this past weekend.

Emerson String Quartet was the first resident string quartet of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center from 1982 to 1989, the first quartet in CMS history to perform the complete Beethoven String Quartet Cycle, and was the first quartet in history to perform all six Bartók quartets in one night, which they did here on the Alice Tully Hall stage.

It is because of Emerson String Quartet’s fearless and exquisite artistry that they received the ninth annual Award for Extraordinary Service to Chamber Music. After 47 years, we bid farewell. Their accomplishments have left a lasting impact on chamber music.

Comments

  • Sam says:

    What they don’t mention here is that they were charging up to $450 or $500 per ticket for this exquisite artistry. I was going to attend but not at that price.

    • phf655 says:

      They were employing what is euphemistically called ‘dynamic pricing’ – the ticket prices got higher as the time of the event neared. My ticket, which I bought on subscription a long time ago, cost $60. It was a privilege to be there, to be in the presence of performances of such concentration and integrity, even though the polish of their playing wasn’t quite what it was when the Emersons were at their peak.

    • henry williams says:

      those ticket prices are crazy.
      do they sell out

    • E Rand says:

      You had decades to hear them on the cheap.

      Stop whining.

  • Zarathusa says:

    Alas, every great living thing must event-ually come to an end! Hmmm…is there hope yet for a “NEW Emerson String Quartet”???

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