Walden String Quartet (Urbana, Ill) (1934-1975) | University of Illinois Archives

Name: Walden String Quartet (Urbana, Ill) (1934-1975)

Historical Note: The Walden String Quartet was founded in 1934 in Cleveland, Ohio by the violinists, Homer C. Schmitt (1911-80) and Bernard M. Goodman (b 1914); cellist Robert H. Swenson (b 1910); and the viola player LeRoy Collins. All of the original members played in the Cleveland Orchestra. The quartet was based initially in Cleveland, then moved to Cornell University (1946-7), and eventually established its residency at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign beginning in 1947. The group replaced their violist five times until John C. Garvey (b 1921-2006) became the viola player in 1948. The following year, the group was selected by the US War Department to tour Austria and Germany. At the behest of University of Illinois School of Music Director John Kuypers, the ensemble served as the first chair seats of the University Orchestra beginning in 1949. However, given the Quartet's rigorous tour schedule and due to the ousting of Kuypers as director, this role only lasted until 1950. Known for their performances of modernist music, the group premiered Elliot Carter's String Quartet No. 1 in 1953 and were one of the first American ensembles to record and actively perform Charles Ives' String Quartet No. 2. Due to Garvey's increased interest in jazz and other members of the ensemble retiring, the group disbanded in 1975.

Sources: Grove Music Dictionary was used for the primary entry, but correspondence with Dr. Paul Rapoport in August 2013 suggested the 1979 date for the group's disbanding may be incorrect.

Note Author: Scott Schwartz and Nolan Vallier