A rare 1890s string quartet plays George Gershwin's Lullaby once again
In short: The Catalyst Quartet performs Gershwin's Lullaby for String Quartet using a unique set of instruments built by the Gemünder family in the 1890s. This performance marks the first time these matched instruments have been played together in over 70 years, showcasing their distinct, unified sound.
In December 2023, the Catalyst Quartet—serving as The Met's 2023-24 Quartet in Residence—brought these rare instruments to life in the Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium. The set was originally constructed by the Gemünder family shop in Queens for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. Unlike typical collections, this matched family of instruments was specifically designed to be played as a cohesive unit.
The instruments were gifted to The Met in 1945. This special recording session, held on December 9, 2023, highlights the unique voices of the Gemünder quartet through Gershwin's composition, demonstrating the historical significance of preserving matched instrument sets.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Gershwin: Lullaby for String Quartet (Catalyst Quartet) | MetLiveArts
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