Donald Weilerstein of Cleveland Quartet interviewed by Nicholas Kitchen of Borromeo Quartet

Resolving Differences in Rehearsals

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  • Original members of the group brought a variety of influences from their earlier mentors, which included the Juilliard and Budapest Quartets.
  • Discussions and arguments seen as part of the growth process.
  • Cleveland Quartet bond based on friendship, mutual respect, and the belief that they could each grow from each other’s ideas.
  • Quartet rehearsals functioned without a single leader, emphasizing collective input.
  • Quartet strove for amalgamation of ideas, avoiding outright rejection of anyone’s suggestions.
  • Importance of trying out ideas before deciding about them.
  • Humor helped alleviate tension and maintain a positive rehearsal environment.

Cellosophy

"The more beautiful the music, the more deeply each of us felt our own idea." -Donald Weilerstein