Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; Ludwig van Beethoven - Piano Quartets (The New York Quartet)

Information

Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; Ludwig van Beethoven

• Mozart - Piano Quartet No. 1 in G Minor, K. 478
• Beethoven - Piano Quartet in E-Flat Major, Op. 16a

The New York Quartet

    Mieczyslaw Horszowski, piano

    Alexander Schneider, violin

    Milton Katims, viola

    Frank Miller, cello

Date: 1953

Label: Archipel

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Mieczysław Horszowski (1892–1993) was a Polish-American pianist whose career spanned nearly a century. A child prodigy, he debuted in Warsaw in 1901 and toured internationally, later studying in Paris before temporarily leaving performance to pursue intellectual interests. Known for his refined tone and interpretive depth rather than virtuosic display, he was encouraged by Pablo Casals to resume his career. After settling in the United States in 1940, he performed widely, including with Toscanini and the NBC Symphony Orchestra, and presented complete cycles of Beethoven and Mozart works. A respected teacher at the Curtis Institute, Horszowski performed and taught into his nineties.

Alexander Schneider (1908–1993) was a Lithuanian-born American violinist, conductor, and educator renowned for his leadership in chamber music. Born Abram Sznejder in Vilnius, he studied in Frankfurt before holding concertmaster posts in Germany, which he left due to Nazi persecution. He joined the Budapest String Quartet in the 1930s, later pursuing an independent career as performer and conductor. A close collaborator of Pablo Casals, he helped found the 1950 Prades Festival. Schneider directed the Schneider Concerts at The New School and co-founded the New York String Orchestra, remaining an influential musical figure until his death.