Title: Fine Arts Quartet Records
Inclusive Dates: 1910-2016

Creator:

• Fine Arts Quartet

Call Numbers: UWM Manuscript Collection 30; Accession 2017-041

Quantity:

• 11 cubic ft. (13 boxes, 2 oversize scrapbooks, 6 films, and 3 oversize folders)
• 6 digital files (18.6 GB)
• plus additions of 9 cubic ft. (9 box)

Repository:

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries, Archives Department

Archival Location:

UW-Milwaukee Libraries, Archives / Milwaukee Area Research Ctr. (Map)

Abstract:

Records of a fine arts quartet documenting its concerts and management, and also containing personal papers of its leader, Leonard Sorkin. The general records of the quartet include reviews of FAQ concerts and feature stories on the FAQ and its members; and programs of FAQ concerts and promotional materials which thoroughly document the locales of concerts and choices of music. The FAQ's management and financial records (1945-1989) document the financial and management history of the quartet, including activities with recording companies, as well as Leonard Sorkin's role as leader of the group. Also contains the personal papers of Leonard Sorkin, including two scrapbooks (1930-1944) and soloist programs (1930-1984) concerning his life before he formed the quartet and also recount some of the events that led to the founding of the group. They also document the contacts he made with other musicians before and during World War II.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-mil-uwmmss0030

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The FAQ first performed in 1940 in Chicago with Leonard Sorkin on 1st violin, Ben Senescu on 2nd violin, Sheppard Lehnhoff on viola, and George Sopkin on cello. They had planned and formed the FAQ in 1939 while they were members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. World War II prevented them from maintaining a regular performance schedule. The FAQ become a continuing organization in 1946.

Sorkin, who trained under Mischa Mischakoff, was the guiding force behind the FAQ. In 1939, he was a member of the 1st violin section of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Sorkin studied in Chicago with Daniel Saidenberg and in Switzerland with Emmanuel Fauermann. The collection does not document the background of the other two founders. Senescu did not stay with the quartet after World War II. Joseph Stepansky took his place sometime before 1946. In 1952, Lehnhoff returned to the Chicago Symphony and was replaced by Irving Ilmer, who left in 1962, to be replaced by Bernard Zaslav. Zaslav studied at the Julliard School of Music. He retired in 1980 and was replaced by Jerry Horner, who was a violinist with the Dallas and Pittsburgh Symphonies. Joseph Stepansky returned to the Chicago Symphony in 1954 and was replaced by Abram Loft. Loft had studied with Herbert Ditteler in New York and received a Ph.D. in musicology from Columbia University. Laurence Shapiro replaced Loft about 1980. Sopkin retired in 1979 and was replaced by Wolfgang Laufer. In 1983, Sorkin retired and became founding director of the Institute of Chamber Music at UWM. Leonard Sorkin died June 7, 1985.

From its founding, the FAQ was successful. Between 1946-1954 it appeared on Sunday morning broadcasts on the ABC network. The FAQ appeared five times on the Today Show between 1955 and 1958 and in 1960, on the Ed Sullivan Show. Between 1951-54, it was the Visiting Quartet at Northwestern University. In 1958, the FAQ went on its first European tour and returned to Europe in 1959, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1969-70, and each year between 1975 and 1980. On a visit to London in 1966, the members of the quartet made six broadcasts for the BBC and appeared at Royal Festival Hall. In 1967, the FAQ took a Far East tour under the auspices of the U.S. Department of State to Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Bangkok, Australia and New Zealand.

Throughout its history the FAQ played the standard repertoire of quartets as well as award-winning modern pieces by composer Karel Husa and classic twentieth century quartets by Shostakovich, Bartok and Wuorinen. The quartet recorded extensively. About 1958, the FAQ began its own recording company, Concertapes Concert Discs.

In January 2018 the Fine Arts Quartet marked the end of a 55-year residency at UWM and a transition for the quartet. Cellist Robert Cohen and violist Juan-Miguel Hernandez retired from the group, as Gil Sharon and Niklas Schmidt became new members.

Scope and content notes of each series are included in the contents list.

This collection was received in, and is organized in, multiple parts. Additional materials have not been physically or intellectually arranged and interfiled, and researchers may need to consult more than one part of the collection to locate similar materials.

The collection is arranged into the following two series:

• UWM Manuscript Collection 30: Records, 1910-2016

1. General Records of the Quartet, 1940-2016
2. Leonard Sorkin Papers, 1910-1985

The collection contains one additional accession.

• Accession 2017-041: Audio Recordings, 1950-2018

Citation Guide for Primary Sources

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public in accordance with state law.

Use Restrictions

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

Acquisition Information

Aviva Sorkin donated the majority of the collection on 4 November 1985 and other portions before 1989. Some materials from the Music Library were accessioned in May 2012 (accession 2011-044). Ralph Evans donated additional materials in April 2016 (accession 2015-039), in October 2016 (accession 2016-018), in February 2017 (accession 2016-038), in October 2017 (accession 2017-011 and accession 2017-012), and in February 2018 (2017-025). Rebecca Littman donated the audio recordings (2017-041) in June 2018.

Processing Information

Mike Klawitter, Stanley Mallach, Mark Shelstad, Timothy Spindler, Mark Vargas, and John Wynstra processed the collection between March and December 1992 at the Archives. Mark Vargas added the materials in box 7 to the collection in May 1994. Christel Maass added the items from accession 2011-044 to the collection in May 2012, accession 2015-039 to the collection in May 2016, and accession 2016-018 in October 2016. Ashlie Biddle (supervised by Christel Maass) added accession 2016-038 to the collection in April 2017. Christel Maass added accession 2017-011 and 2017-012 to the collection in October 2017. Clare Ruedinger (supervised by Christel Maass) processed accession 2017-025 in March 2018. Shiraz Bhathena minimally processed accession 2017-041 in January 2020. Shiraz Bhathena processed the WTTW films in September 2020.

UWM Manuscript Collection 30	Records, 1916-2018 Physical Description: 10.6 cubic ft. (13 boxes, 2 oversize scrapbooks, and 3 oversize folders); 6 digital files (18.6 GB)
	Series: 1. General Records of the Quartet, 1940-2016 Scope and Content Note: This series contains almost all of the collection. It includes clippings from American and European newspapers and magazines (1948-1981) which are reviews of FAQ concerts and feature stories on the FAQ and its members. Programs of FAQ concerts (1940-2016) thoroughly document the locales of concerts and choices of music. The promotional materials (1949-1982) consist of press releases and handbills about the quartet as a whole and its individual members. The collection also includes concert posters. The FAQ's management and financial records (1945-1989) document the financial and management history of the quartet as well as Leonard Sorkin's role as leader of the group. Of particular importance is the 1969-1979 file on the European tour which documents how the FAQ arranged its European tours. The correspondence folder from 1945-1980, 1989 documents communications with fans, as well as arrangements for concerts in the United States. There are financial records, correspondence, and contracts with record companies such as Concertapes Concert Disc (1962-1966) and Vox Productions, Inc. (1966-1978) and management companies such as Colbert Artists Management (1960-1966) and Melvin Kaplan, Inc. (1970-1980). There is also a folder documenting the effort of New York Review Presentations to represent the FAQ (1968-1969). There are few records after 1983 due to Leonard Sorkin's retirement. The scrapbooks contain feature stories and reviews similar to the reviews of FAQ concerts and feature stories on the FAQ and its members. The one exception is a scrapbook containing a narrative history of the first year of the quartet written in the second year of the FAQ's history.
Box   1 Folder   1	Berkowitz, Ralph, 1967-1969
Box   1 Folder   2	Biographies, Fine Arts Quartet Members, undated
Box   1 Folder   3	British Broadcasting Company, 1965-1971
Box   7	Career Summaries
Box   1 Folder   4	Colbert Artists Management, 1960-1966
Box   1 Folder   5	Composers, 1971-1980
Oversize Folder   1-2	Concert Posters, 1962-1980
Oversize Folder   3	Concert Posters, 1996-2010
Box   1 Folder   6-9	Concert Reviews, 1941-1970
Box   2 Folder   1-3	Concert Reviews, 1971-1985
Box   11 Folder   21	Concert Reviews, 1986-1999
Box   2 Folder   4	Concert Reviews, undated
	Concert Tours
Box   11 Folder   22	Cruise, Alaska to Japan, 2006
Box   2 Folder   5	Europe, 1965
Box   2 Folder   6	Europe, 1969-1970
Box   2 Folder   7-10	Europe, 1975-1979
Box   2 Folder   13	Latin America, 1965
	Concertapes Concert Disc
Box   2 Folder   14	Financial Statements, 1962-1966
Box   2 Folder   15	Photographs, undated
Box   2 Folder   16	Contracts, Performance, 1954-1979
Box   2 Folder   17-19	Correspondence, 1945-1975
Box   2 Folder   20	Correspondence, 1976-1980, 1989
Box   2 Folder   21	Decca Records, 1966-1968
Box   2 Folder   23	Features, 1948-1990
Box   2 Folder   24	Features, undated
Box   2 Folder   25	Financial Records, 1971-1979
Box   2 Folder   26	Fine Arts (Quartet) Music Foundation, 1969-1978
	Fine Arts Quartet Plays Beethoven, undated Scope and Content Note: Broadcast on WTTW in the 1950s. Produced by Vincent Park; Music Associate Herman Clebanoff; Staging and Lighting William Manschot; Art Robert Kostka; Recording Ralph Seitle; Directed by R.A. Gale and Vincent Park; Operating Supervisor Richard Dearborn; Video Recording Dick Helder; Audio Jack Campbell; Produced for the Educational Television and Radio Center.
	Quartet in D Major, Opus 18, No. 3
Film 1	Physical Description: 1 16mm film reel (24 min., 33 sec.)  Access Restrictions: The original film is restricted; users must use network access copy available in the Archives.
Electronic Folder	UWMMss030_Fine_Arts_Quartet_Plays_Beethoven_1 Physical Description: 1 digital file (24 min., 33 sec.)
	Quartet in C Minor, Opus 18, No. 4
Film 2	Physical Description: 1 16mm film reel (23 min., 48 sec.)  Access Restrictions: The original film is restricted; users must use network access copy available in the Archives.
Electronic Folder	UWMMss030_Fine_Arts_Quartet_Plays_Beethoven_2 Physical Description: 1 digital file (23 min., 48 sec.)
	Quartet in C Major, Opus 59, No. 3
Film 3	Physical Description: 1 16mm film reel (30 min., 48 sec.)  Access Restrictions: The original film is restricted; users must use network access copy available in the Archives.
Electronic Folder	UWMMss030_Fine_Arts_Quartet_Plays_Beethoven_3 Physical Description: 1 digital file (30 min., 48 sec.)
	Quartet in F Minor, Opus 95
Film 4	Physical Description: 1 16mm film reel (24 min., 04 sec.)  Access Restrictions: The original film is restricted; users must use network access copy available in the Archives.
Electronic Folder	UWMMss030_Fine_Arts_Quartet_Plays_Beethoven_4 Physical Description: 1 digital file (24 min., 04 sec.)
	Quartet in B Flat Major, Opus 130
Film 5	Physical Description: 1 16mm film reel (39 min., 00 sec.)  Access Restrictions: The original film is restricted; users must use network access copy available in the Archives.
Electronic Folder	UWMMss030_Fine_Arts_Quartet_Plays_Beethoven_5 Physical Description: 1 digital file (39 min., 00 sec.)
	Quartet in F Major, Opus 135
Film 6	Physical Description: 1 16mm film reel (27 min., 27 sec.)  Access Restrictions: The original film is restricted; users must use network access copy available in the Archives.
Electronic Folder	UWMMss030_Fine_Arts_Quartet_Plays_Beethoven_6 Physical Description: 1 digital file (27 min., 27 sec.)
	Fine Arts Quartet Scrapbooks, 1946-1949 Physical Description: Oversize Scrapbook
Box   5	Fine Arts Quartet Scrapbooks, 1958-1959
Box   5	Fine Arts Quartet Scrapbooks, 1961-1962
Box   5	Fine Arts Quartet Scrapbooks, 1962-1966
Box   6	Fine Arts Quartet Scrapbooks, 1966-1971
Box   6	Fine Arts Quartet Scrapbooks, 1971-1975
Box   6	Fine Arts Quartet Scrapbooks, 1975-1977
	Fine Arts Quartet, Narrative History, 1946-1947 Physical Description: Oversize Scrapbook
Box   2 Folder   27	Four Score Television Series, 1961
Box   2 Folder   28	Gasparo (Recording Company), 1980
Box   2 Folder   29	Gravina, Peter, 1973-1974
Box   2 Folder   30	History of Fine Arts Quartet, 1951-1976, undated
Box   2 Folder   31	Honors and Awards, 1954-1984, undated
Box   2 Folder   32	Husa, Karel, 1963-1971
Box   2 Folder   33	Ilmer, Irving, 1969-1970
Box   2 Folder   11	Itineraries, 1958-1980
Box   2 Folder   34	Melvin Kaplan, Inc., 1970-1978
Box   2 Folder   35	Moravian Music Foundation, 1966-1970
Box   2 Folder   36	New York Review Presentations, 1968-1969
Box   2 Folder   37-39	Photographs, undated
Box   7	Photographs, Oversize, undated
Box   11 Folder   23	Press Materials and Concert Reviews, 1985-2010
Box   2 Folder   40-43	Programs, 1940-1949
Box   3 Folder   1-28	Programs, 1950-1973
Box   4 Folder   1-13	Programs, 1974-1984
Box   8 Folder   1-18	Programs, 1985-1989
Box   12 Folder   1-2	Programs, 1990
Box   9 Folder   1-19	Programs, 1991-1999
Box   10 Folder   1-20	Programs, 2000-2006
Box   11 Folder   1-20	Programs, 2007-2016, undated
Box   4 Folder   14	Programs, undated
Box   13 Folder   1-2	Programs Related to Ralph Evans, 1972-1984
Box   4 Folder   15-19	Promotional Material 1949-1982, undated
Box   13 Folder   3	Promotional Material, 1984-1990, undated
Box   4 Folder   20	Record Reviews, 1981, undated
Box   4 Folder   21	Record Royalties, 1963-1981
Box   4 Folder   22	Samtida Musik, 1968-1970
Box   2 Folder   12	Tax Records, 1959-1962
Box   4 Folder   23	United States Cultural Exchange, 1966-1967
Box   4 Folder   24	UWM Friends of Music, 1981-1988
Box   4 Folder   25	UWM Friends of Music, Leonard Sorkin Violin Scholarship, 1982-1983
Box   4 Folder   26	Viola Search, 1980
Box   4 Folder   27	Vox Productions, Inc., 1966-1978
Box   4 Folder   28	Webcor (Recording Company), 1954
Box   4 Folder   29	Wilfred Van Wyck, Ltd., 1970-1972
	Series: 2. Leonard Sorkin Papers, 1910-1985 Scope and Content Note: This series contains the personal papers of Leonard Sorkin. There are two scrapbooks (1930-1944) and a subseries of soloist programs (1930-1984) which document his life before he formed the quartet and also recount some of the events that led to the founding of the group. They also document the contacts he made with other musicians before and during World War II.	⇧
Box   4 Folder   30	Biographical Materials, undated
Box   4 Folder   31	Dolnick, Max A., 1910-1928
Box   4 Folder   32	Memorials, 1985
Box   4 Folder   33	Newspaper Clippings, 1938-1952
Box   4 Folder   34	Personal Correspondence, 1931-1985
Box   7	Plaques and Certificates, 1967, undated
Box   5	Scrapbooks, 1930-1944
Box   4 Folder   35	Soloist Programs, 1930-1984
Box   4 Folder   36	University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 1979-1981
Accession 2017-041	Audio Recordings , 1950-2018 Abstract: Additions of 1/4" audio recordings dating from 1950 to 2018. Physical Description: 9 cubic ft. (9 boxes)