Title: We Knocked Their Socks Off: The First American-Trained String Quartet (1927-1981) The Curtis String Quartet An Original Biography
Author: Tim Bosworth, PhD
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 979-8369432501
Pages: 340
Genre: Music / Biography
Reviewer: Susan Brown

Read Book Review

In the early part of the 19th century, chamber music was a popular form of classical music which showcased a small group of musicians, quite often a quartet. Usually, the music was performed in intimate settings, creating an atmosphere of congeniality between the musicians and the audience. While the makeup of the musicians varied, the group generally included string instruments such as the violin, viola and cello. These “strings” are the nucleus of a string quartet. This biography, about The Curtis String Quartet, re-acquaints readers with one of the most well-respected, popular and accomplished quartets to ever entertain audiences.

The author, a family member of one of the original quartet members, has put together an incredible history of the quartet’s beginnings, starting in 1927, then with great detail itemizing the extraordinary accomplishments that continued for more than 50 years. Dr. Bosworth writes: “Recent years have written the Quartet out of history. This book writes it back in.”

The initial four musicians came together in Philadelphia, studied and graduated from the Curtis Institute of Music. Throughout the next five decades, the Quartet evolved to include new members as some moved on in their careers, take on new musical challenges and, as success came, embrace the idea of creating learning opportunities with the establishment of the New School of Music which trained “young people for careers in orchestras.”

This is a remarkable biography about an extraordinary merging of musical talent with an inspired vision, supported by benefactors who not only appreciated their musicality but supported their vision. The narrative benefits from the author’s first-hand knowledge of the Quartet’s history. Readers will find the book comprehensive in its description of the people and places that make up this story. Classical music lovers will marvel at the sheer number of composers scores they mastered.

The enormity of the Quartet’s impact is summed up by the author. “The Quartet was unabashedly championing chamber music and was perhaps at least as responsible as any other quartet in expanding interest in chamber music in America.” At the more than 5000 performances, “They were sharing the music they loved with people in communities, many of whose residents hadn’t known what a string quartet was.” They traveled through Europe, North and South America and played in venues and to audiences both large and small.

To fully understand the Quartet’s influence, here’s who they were: first American-trained string quartet; first to visit England and tour Europe, twice; first American-trained string quartet to play at the White House; first American string quartet to play at the Library of Congress; first to start a conservatory; first to give concerts in hundreds of American cities and small towns; first to record a number of works that are now standard repertoire; first American-trained ensemble to perform the Beethoven cycle (all of the his string quartets); and the first American-trained string quartet to include a female member.

I had a knowledge of string quartets when I started this book, but this book has inspired me to expand my musical interests so I can truly appreciate The Curtis String Quartet legacy.

In We Knocked Their Socks Off, Tim Bosworth, PhD, chronicles the groundbreaking journey of the Curtis String Quartet—the first American-trained ensemble to win global acclaim. With meticulous research and a deep love for music, this biography resurrects an overlooked legacy that helped define American chamber music.