January 17, 2010

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(The Griller Quartet - together continuously from 1931-1963)

Another dive into the early Decca/London FFRR 78's tonight. This time from the legendary Griller String Quartet who had the distinction of being together without personnel changes or interruption from 1931-1963 - something of a record, and certainly a testimony to just how good this little band were.

In my earlier post a few weeks ago regarding the first sessions of this new recording technique, I mentioned it was primarily British orchestras or the occasional visiting European orchestra who were asked to participate in these sessions. It also extended to small performing groups, like the Grillers. And it was quickly realized the new technology was perfectly suited to the subtle nuances of a string quartet.

Unfortunately, most of these recordings never got reissued, even on lp. And it's only been in recent years that many of these performances have been issued on CD via companies like Dutton Laboratories. I think this performance has been reissued, but I'm going off my own 78's - so if there's a technical glitch, it's my fault and not theirs.

So this performance by the Grillers, recorded in 1947 features Mozart: String Quartet in G Major K. 387 (Spring).

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