Description

HOLLYWOOD STRING QUARTET

 

 

 

 

The Hollywood String Quartet (HSQ) was an American string quartet founded by violinist/conductor Felix Slatkin and his wife cellist Eleanor Aller. The Hollywood String Quartet is considered to be the first American-born and trained classical music chamber group to make an international impact, mainly through its landmark recordings. These recordings have long been regarded as among the most outstanding recorded performances of the string quartet repertoire.

The musicians of the Hollywood String Quartet were the leading players in the major movie studio orchestras producing the vibrant, lush film soundtracks during the “Golden Age of Hollywood”. In 1939, the same year as their marriage, Felix Slatkin and Eleanor Aller formed the HSQ.

In its original formation, Slatkin and Aller were joined by violist Paul Robyn and second violinist Joachim Chassman. However, the group disbanded soon thereafter when the three male members enlisted in WWII service. The HSQ resumed its activities in 1947, with Paul Shure replacing Chassman as second violinist. In 1955, Paul Robyn left the group and Alvin Dinkin assumed the viola chair.

In addition to their work in the Hollywood studio orchestras and recording classical repertoire, the HSQ members regularly performed as session musicians at the major record companies, including Capitol Records. At Capitol, they accompanied some of the leading pop performers of the era, most notably Frank Sinatra, for whom Felix Slatkin acted as concertmaster and occasional conductor on his now iconic Capitol recordings during the 1950s. Among these recordings was the 1956 Close to You, which featured the HSQ accompanying Sinatra in arrangements by Nelson Riddle.

The HSQ officially disbanded in 1961. Slatkin died two years later at the age of 47.

The musicians of the HSQ were all the progeny of Russian immigrants. All excelled musically in their youth and were formally trained at either the Juilliard School or the Curtis Institute of Music. The musicians were:

Felix Slatkin (1915-1963) Violin; Studied at Curtis with renowned violinist Efrem Zimbalist and conducting with Fritz Reiner; at age 15 was a member of the St. Louis Symphony under conductor Vladimir Golschmann; Concert Master of the 20th Century Fox Studio Orchestra (1937-1963) and the Capitol Records Sinatra recording sessions; conductor of the Concert Arts Orchestra and Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra.

Eleanor Aller Slatkin (1917-1995) Cello; Studied at Juilliard with Felix Salmond; First cello with the Warner Bros. Studio Orchestra from 1939-1968 and with the 20th Century Fox Orchestra from 1972-1985.

Paul Shure (1921-2011) Second Violin; Studied at Curtis with Joseph Achron; youngest player in the Philadelphia Orchestra at age 18 under conductor Leopold Stokowski; Assistant Concertmaster at 20th Century Fox; left the HSQ in 1958 and shortly thereafter assumed a faculty position at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music; concertmaster of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra from 1972-1987 as well as other major west coast ensembles. After Shure’s departure from the HSQ, Joseph Stepansky joined the Quartet for concert tours.

Paul Robyn (1908-1970) Viola; Studied at Juilliard with Joseph Fuchs, Samuel Gardner and Hans Letz; Violist with the Gordon String Quartet (1931-1935); Principal Violist at Warner Brothers; Left the HSQ in 1955; replaced by Alvin Dinkin.

Alvin Dinkin (1912-1970) Viola; Studied at Curtis with Louis Bailly; played in St. Louis Symphony and 20th Century Fox Orchestras with Felix Slatkin.

In addition, pianist Victor Aller (1905-1977) was featured on several HSQ recordings, including the acclaimed Brahms Piano Quartets and Piano Quintet. Aller, the brother of cellist Eleanor, studied at Juilliard under Josef Lhévinne. He had a long and distinguished career as a pianist in the film industry and manager of the Warner Bros. Studio Orchestra, and as a teacher and recording artist.

 

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

The Hollywood String Quartet – Beethoven – Quartet No. 13 In B Flat, Opus 130

Label: Capitol Records – PAO-8429

Format: Vinyl, LP

Country: US

Genre: Classical

A1 First Movement: Adagio, Ma Non Troppo – Allegro

A2 Second Movement: Presto

A3 Third Movement: Andante Con Moto, Ma Non Troppo

B1 Fourth Movement: Allegro Assai (Alla Danza Tedesca)

B2 Fifth Movement: Adagio Molto Expressivo (Cavatina)

B3 Sixth Movement: Finale, Allegro

Illustration – N. Boyle

As played at the Edinburgh International Festival, 1957

 

The Hollywood String Quartet, Beethoven – Quartet No. 14 In C Sharp Minor, Opus 131

Label: Capitol Records – P 8425

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album

Country: US

Released: 1957

Genre: Classical

Quartet No. 14 In C Sharp Minor, Opus 131 (Beginning)

A1-I Adiago Ma Non Troppo E Molto Expressivo

A1-II Allegro Molto Vivace

A1-III Allegro Moderato

A1-IV Andante, Ma Non Troppo E Molto Cantabile

Quartet No. 14 In C Sharp Minor (Conclusion)

B1-V Presto

B1-VI Adaigo Quasi Un Poco Andante

B1-VII Allegro

Manufactured By – Capitol Records, Inc.

Illustration – Neil Boyle

Liner Notes – Desmond Shawe-Taylor

Full dimensional sound, as noted on label. No tracklist given on back, tracks taken from center labels.

Matrix / Runout (Side A, stamped): P1-8425-D1#2 [Scranton Anvil]

Matrix / Runout (Side B, stamped): P2-8425-D5 [Scranton Anvil]

 

Beethoven, The Hollywood String Quartet – Quartet No. 15 In A Minor, Opus 132

Label: Capitol Records – PAO-8424

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album

Country: US

Released: 1958

Genre: Classical

Quartet No. 15 In A Minor Op. 132 (Beginning)

A1 First Movement: Assai Sostenuto, Allegro

A2 Second Movement: Allegro Ma Non Troppo

Quartet No. 15 In A Minor Op. 132 (Conclusion)

B1 Third Movement: Molto Adagio (A Restored One’s Holy Song Of Thanksgiving To God in Lydian Mode)

B2 Fourth Movement: Alla Marcia, Assai Vivace

B3 Fifth Movement: Allegro Appassionato

Manufactured By – Capitol Records, Inc.

Cello – Eleanor Aller

Illustration – N. Boyle

Viola – Alvin Dinkin

Violin – Felix Slatkin, Paul Shure

Comes in a gatefold back cover textured sleeve with linear notes.

Full Dimensional Sound

Matrix / Runout (Stamped on Side One Runout): – PAO1-8424-D 4″

Barcode (Stamped on Side Two Runout): – PAO–2-8424-D3

Barcode (Printed On Side One Label): PAO-8424 (P7-8394)

Barcode (Printed On Side Two Label): PAO-8424 (P8-8394)

 

The Hollywood String Quartet, Beethoven – Grosse Fuge Op.133; Quartet In F Major Op.135

Label: Capitol Records – P.8455

Format: Vinyl, LP

Country: New Zealand

Genre: Classical

Grosse Fuge In B Flat Major Op.133

Quartet No.16 In F Major Op.135

B1 Allegretto

B2 Vivace (Scherzo)

B3 Lento Assai, Cantante E Tranquillo

B4 Grave Ma Non Troppo Tratto

Manufactured By – His Master’s Voice (NZ) Limited

Illustration – N. Boyle

As played at the Edinburgh International Festival, 1957