Kolisch Quartet

The Kolisch Quartet was one of classical music's most intriguing chamber groups, active from the 1920s through the early 1940s. Founded by violinist Rudolf Kolisch (whose sister married composer Arnold Schoenberg), they became famous for their razor-sharp precision and bold commitment to contemporary music. These guys weren’t just playing safe crowd-pleasers—they championed groundbreaking works by Schoenberg, Berg, and Bartók, even premiering Schoenberg’s Third and Fourth String Quartets. Talk about avant-garde cred! Fun fact: They performed entirely from memory, a rare feat for string quartets, and Rudolf’s unique left-handed violin setup added to their mystique.

Their recordings, like the gritty 1930s takes on Schubert and fiery interpretations of Stravinsky, still wow listeners today (especially in those remastered reissues). Though the quartet disbanded during WWII, their legacy as modern-music trailblazers and technical wizards keeps their recordings fresh—proof that cutting-edge art never goes out of style.

Genres

Chamber Music

Latest Release

Franz Schubert: Historical Recordings (1932, 1940)

Franz Schubert•

Anton Webern•

Kolisch Quartet

Album - 8 Tracks - Released May 7, 2013