The Art of Quartet Playing

June 1, 1986
In a series of lively discussions, intelligible to any music lover who ever played a stringed instrument, members of the Guarneri Quartet not only reveal the close ties that exist between players who have worked together for over 20 years but, on a more sophisticated level, provide an undogmatic blueprint for studying and rehearsing string quartets, complete with musical examples. The book's final pages explore, measure by measure, the Quartet's approach to practicing Beethoven's Opus 131. Repertoire is discussed superficially; choice of editions and performing styles of different eras are not discussed at all. Nevertheless, amateur to professional chamber musicians will find this book invaluable, especially since there are virtually no others on the subject. Recommended for music libraries. Performing Arts Book Club selection. Philippa Kiraly, Cleveland