Philharmonic Quartet
Encyclopedia
The Philharmonic Quartet was an English
string quartet
musical ensemble
founded during the period of the First World War and remaining active until the early 1940s, by which time none of the original members were present in the group.
Arthur Beckwith
2nd violin:
Eugene Aynsley Goossens
Viola:
Raymond Jeremy
Violoncello:
Cedric Sharpe
, Cyril Rootham
and Arthur Bliss
. They also performed several works by Eugene Aynsley Goossens
, including his String Quartet op.14, which dedicated each of its movements to a member of the group. In addition to performances of standard repertoire by Beethoven and Mozart, the quartet played contemporary works by Ravel, Stravinsky and Debussy.
Some of the players were conscripted into active service during the First World War. When the quartet reappeared in 1918, Goossens had been replaced by 'F. Holding'. The following year, Arthur Beckwith was replaced by 'Mr Peatfield'. Cedric Sharpe was later to found the Virtuoso Quartet
in 1924 and was joined by Raymond Jeremy.
on the HMV label:
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
string quartet
String quartet
A string quartet is a musical ensemble of four string players – usually two violin players, a violist and a cellist – or a piece written to be performed by such a group...
musical ensemble
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
founded during the period of the First World War and remaining active until the early 1940s, by which time none of the original members were present in the group.
Original members
1st violin:Arthur Beckwith
2nd violin:
Eugene Aynsley Goossens
Eugène Aynsley Goossens
Sir Eugene Aynsley Goossens was an English conductor and composer.-Biography:He was born in Camden Town, London, the son of the Belgian conductor and violinist Eugène Goossens and the grandson of the conductor Eugène Goossens...
Viola:
Raymond Jeremy
Violoncello:
Cedric Sharpe
Early history
The quartet championed works by British composers, giving the first performances of works by Arnold BaxArnold Bax
Sir Arnold Edward Trevor Bax, KCVO was an English composer and poet. His musical style blended elements of romanticism and impressionism, often with influences from Irish literature and landscape. His orchestral scores are noted for their complexity and colourful instrumentation...
, Cyril Rootham
Cyril Rootham
Cyril Bradley Rootham was an English composer, educator, organist and important figure in Cambridge music life.-Biography:...
and Arthur Bliss
Arthur Bliss
Sir Arthur Edward Drummond Bliss, CH, KCVO was an English composer and conductor.Bliss's musical training was cut short by the First World War, in which he served with distinction in the army...
. They also performed several works by Eugene Aynsley Goossens
Eugène Aynsley Goossens
Sir Eugene Aynsley Goossens was an English conductor and composer.-Biography:He was born in Camden Town, London, the son of the Belgian conductor and violinist Eugène Goossens and the grandson of the conductor Eugène Goossens...
, including his String Quartet op.14, which dedicated each of its movements to a member of the group. In addition to performances of standard repertoire by Beethoven and Mozart, the quartet played contemporary works by Ravel, Stravinsky and Debussy.
Some of the players were conscripted into active service during the First World War. When the quartet reappeared in 1918, Goossens had been replaced by 'F. Holding'. The following year, Arthur Beckwith was replaced by 'Mr Peatfield'. Cedric Sharpe was later to found the Virtuoso Quartet
Virtuoso Quartet
Virtuoso String QuartetA British quartet, founded by the Gramophone Company in 1924 to be the first such quartet established specifically for recording....
in 1924 and was joined by Raymond Jeremy.
Recordings
The Philharmonic Quartet made several recordings for the Gramophone CompanyGramophone Company
The Gramophone Company, based in the United Kingdom, was one of the early recording companies, and was the parent organization for the famous "His Master's Voice" label...
on the HMV label:
- Glazunov 5 Novelettes Op.15 - (iv) Valse
- Coates: Bouree
- Boccherini: Minuet, G275 (Recorded 12 July 1915)
- Bridge: Cherry ripe
- Bridge: Sally in our alley (Recorded 25 March 1918)
- Bridge: Irish melody (Recorded 25 March 1918)
- Bridge: Idylls, string quartet (Recorded 9 January 1920)
- Glazunov: Oriental, op.15, no.2 (1 June 1920)
- Holbrooke: Piano Quartet No. 2 in G minor Op. 21
- Holbrooke: Folksong suite no.1 (Recorded 25 March 1918)
- Mendelssohn: String quartet no.1 (Recorded 27 March 1916)
- Mendelssohn: Spring song (Recorded 27 March 1916)
- Mozart: Minuet in D minor (Recorded 9 January 1920)
- Ravel: String quartet, F major (Recorded 25 March 1918)
- Schubert: String quartet no.14, D810, D minor. Andante con moto (Recorded 12 July 1915)
- Schubert arr. Scott: Marche Militaire
- Schumann: String quartet, op.41. no.3 (Recorded 14 February 1918)
- Tchaikovsky: String quartet no.1 Andante cantabile (Recorded 12 July 1915)
- Thomas: Mignon. Gavotte (Recorded 27 March 1916)