First Piano Quartet
Encyclopedia
The First Piano Quartet was a quartet
of pianist
s first organized in the United States
in 1941. Its founding members were Vladimir Padwa
, Franz Mittler
, Adam Garner, and Edward Edson. The quartet was originally conceived of as a radio group. It made its New York concert debut in 1949.
The quartet toured extensively with their four Steinway pianos
during the late 1950s, and made recordings in the 1940s and 1950s. Most of its arrangements were made by Adam Garner.
By 1950, Padwa was replaced by George Robert. In the early 1950s, Glauco D'Attili became the latest member. D'Attili, a former child prodigy from Rome
was brought to the United States in 1927 by Benjamino Gigli and was probably the most well-known of the group. He appeared, along with Edward Edson, Adam Garner, and Frank Mittler, in two movie shorts for 20th Century Fox in 1954, The First Piano Quartette and Piano Encores. Both were directed by Otto Lang
, and The First Piano Quartette was nominated for an academy award in 1954 in the category Best Short Subject, One-reel. The group also appeared on both The Ed Sullivan Show
(Episode #7.30) and The Lawrence Welk Show
.
In the mid-1950s D'Attili was replaced by William Guntherand the quartet renamed itself to the Original Piano Quartet. The quartet appeared under its new name at Town Hall, New York
on March 29, 1962. D'Attili, the last surviving member of the quartet, died in autumn of 2007.
The First Piano Quartet's collection of music is housed in the Music Division of the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
.
Quartet
In music, a quartet is a method of instrumentation , used to perform a musical composition, and consisting of four parts.-Western art music:...
of pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
s first organized in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1941. Its founding members were Vladimir Padwa
Vladimir Padwa
Vladimir Padwa was an American pianist, composer, and educator.-Biography:He was born in Kryviakino, Russia, the son of Mikhail and Maria Padwa. He was raised in Estonia, then a territory of Imperial Russia, receiving Estonian citizenship in 1917 when Estonia became an independent country...
, Franz Mittler
Franz Mittler
Franz Mittler was an Austrian composer, musician, and humorist.-Life and work:...
, Adam Garner, and Edward Edson. The quartet was originally conceived of as a radio group. It made its New York concert debut in 1949.
The quartet toured extensively with their four Steinway pianos
Steinway & Sons
Steinway & Sons, also known as Steinway , is an American and German manufacturer of handmade pianos, founded 1853 in Manhattan in New York City by German immigrant Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg...
during the late 1950s, and made recordings in the 1940s and 1950s. Most of its arrangements were made by Adam Garner.
By 1950, Padwa was replaced by George Robert. In the early 1950s, Glauco D'Attili became the latest member. D'Attili, a former child prodigy from Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
was brought to the United States in 1927 by Benjamino Gigli and was probably the most well-known of the group. He appeared, along with Edward Edson, Adam Garner, and Frank Mittler, in two movie shorts for 20th Century Fox in 1954, The First Piano Quartette and Piano Encores. Both were directed by Otto Lang
Otto Lang (film producer)
Otto Lang , born in Tešanj, Bosnia-Herzegovina, was a skier and pioneer ski instructor in the United States. He founded ski schools on Mount Rainier, Mount Baker and Mount Hood beginning in the 1930s, and as the director of the ski school at Sun Valley became the ski instructor for Hollywood stars...
, and The First Piano Quartette was nominated for an academy award in 1954 in the category Best Short Subject, One-reel. The group also appeared on both The Ed Sullivan Show
The Ed Sullivan Show
The Ed Sullivan Show is an American TV variety show that originally ran on CBS from Sunday June 20, 1948 to Sunday June 6, 1971, and was hosted by New York entertainment columnist Ed Sullivan....
(Episode #7.30) and The Lawrence Welk Show
The Lawrence Welk Show
The Lawrence Welk Show is an American televised musical variety show hosted by big band leader Lawrence Welk. The series aired locally in Los Angeles for four years , then nationally for another 27 years via the ABC network and first-run syndication .In the years since first-run syndication...
.
In the mid-1950s D'Attili was replaced by William Guntherand the quartet renamed itself to the Original Piano Quartet. The quartet appeared under its new name at Town Hall, New York
The Town Hall
The Town Hall is a performance space, located at 123 West 43rd Street, between Sixth Avenue and Broadway, in New York City. It seats approximately 1,500 people.-History:...
on March 29, 1962. D'Attili, the last surviving member of the quartet, died in autumn of 2007.
The First Piano Quartet's collection of music is housed in the Music Division of the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center houses one of the world's largest collections of materials relating to the performing arts. It is one of the four research centers of the New York Public Library's Research library system, and it is also one...
.