The Audubon Quartet (1974-2011) was an American string quartet based at residencies at Marywood College in Scranton, Pennsylvania (1974-1979) and at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia (1980-2001).
Description
The Audubon Quartet was an internationally acclaimed American classical string quartet that came into existence in 1974, through the Young Artist Program at SUNY-Binghamton. The YAP was directed by violinist Peter Marsh of the Lenox String Quartet.
This section needs expansion with: material on its repertoire and style, based on published sources. You can help by adding to it. (March 2017)
History
This section needs expansion with: with further material based on published sources, on the composition of the group over the years, especially during the period of great acclaim in the late 1970s (e.g., violinist prior to 1984, etc.), on its performing and recording history during the key period of its first decade (1974-1983), and on the legal issue that arose in 2000. You can help by adding to it. (March 2017)
The original Audubon Quartet was co-founded in 1974 by violinists Gregory Fulkerson, Janet Brady, violist Lawrence Bradford, and cellist Clyde Shaw. Former founding members Janet Brady and Lawrence Bradford are now deceased. [See www.audubonquartet.com]
During the nearly four-decade history of the Audubon Quartet, there were multiple personnel changes, with the final membership including violinists Ellen Jewett and Akemi Takayama, violist Doris Lederer and cellist Clyde Shaw.
Violinist David Ehrlich joined the Audubon Quartet in 1984, performing his first concert with the Quartet at the Music at Gretna summer festival in Mt. Gretna, Pennsylvania on August 5,1984. David Salness joined as second violinist in 1985 and was succeeded by Akemi Takayama in 1997.
During the nearly four-decade history of the Audubon Quartet, there were multiple personnel changes, with the final membership including violinists Ellen Jewett and Akemi Takayama, violist Doris Lederer and cellist Clyde Shaw. After the 2000 season, a decision was made to have the two quartet violinists alternate by switching roles, often during each concert.
The final concert of the Audubon Quartet was performed at the Chautauqua Institution on August 8, 2011, with a program ending with Dvorak's string quintet in E-flat major, Op. 97, with David Salness performing as guest violist.
During the history of the Audubon Quartet, the ensemble held three residencies. Marywood College (1974-1979), in Scranton Pennsylvania, Virginia Tech (1980-2001) in Blacksburg, Virginia, and Shenandoah University Conservatory (2007-2011), in Winchester, Virginia.
Members
At time of dissolution
The membership of the Audubon Quartet at the end of its career, included violinists Ellen Jewett and Akemi Takayama, violist Doris Lederer and cellist Clyde Shaw.
The Audubon Quartet was the recipient of many first-time awards and special honors, including top prizes at three international string quartet competitions (1977-1979), being the first American string quartet to be invited by the Chinese Ministry of Culture to perform on the Mainland (1981), following the normalization of relations between the US and China, and an invitation to perform at the White House by President Jimmy Carter (1977).[3] Additional experiences include several tours for the US Department of State and radio and television appearances, including a feature on CBS Sunday Morning (1979).[2]
The International String Quartet Competition in Evian, France (1977)[4]
The String Quartet Competition at the Festival Villa Lobos in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (1977)[1]
The International String Quartet Competition in Portsmouth, England (1979)[5]
Selected discography and review
String Quartets by Brian Fennelly and Leo Kraft, Orion Master Recordings (ORS 80398), 1980
"The Ugly Duckling" by Jon Deak, Opus One Recordings (Stereo No. 77), 1982
Flute Quartets of Joseph Haydn, Price-Less recordings (D 1077X), 1987
