Indivisible by Four: A String Quartet in Pursuit of Harmony

I thoroughly enjoyed Arnold Steinhardt's well written account of the Guarneri String Quartet's many years of concertizing. In my opinion, any string musician, indeed any musician, may well gleam insight into the rarefied world of string quartets in particular and chamber groups in general. Highly recommend. Enjoy.

After reading Arnold Steinhardt's "Violin Dreams", a book that I am not crazy about, I was reluctant to seek out "Indivisible By Four." I'm glad I did. Arnold takes us through 33 seasons of the Quartet's life (they stopped after 45 long years, in 2009.) He tells all - from how they got started, how they strived and thrived - and most importantly, how they stayed together. Most people, including frequent classical music concertgoers - including classical musicians themselves - don't realize what touring musicians must endure. Be they a soloist or an ensemble, it's not an easy life. It often makes a railroad worker's job look comfy. They must go to their audiences (and not the other way around) to present their musical gifts, as humble exponents of warhorses and new music alike. Not to mention, by the mid 1990s (when this book was written) classical music was already becoming a dying art form. But luckily for the Guarnieris, they hit the scene in the mid 60s, when the economy was ripe, and the audiences more knowledgeable and appreciative than those of today or, let's say pre-internet. And they maintained their stride for over four decades. In order to do what Steinhardt and his compatriots John Dalley, Michael Tree, and the late David Soyer, did, they all had to want it very much...and definitely not for financial gain. That's the underlying thread of this book, and of the quartet's longevity. They really were on the road constantly, dazzling audiences with over 100 concerts a year. And although they were indivisible by four while playing, Steinhardt does emphasize that they had to be divisible while not playing, in order to keep their sanity. The funny and sometimes semi-shocking anecdotes that Steinhardt writes of make for an excellent read. If you've read Steinhardt's "Violin Dreams", you definitely need to follow it up with "Indivisible."

If you are intrigued by music and how it's made, by the hearts and minds of those who have devoted their lives to making instruments sing, then this will be one of the most interesting and satisfying books you've ever read.Arnold Steinhardt, the first violinist of the Guarneri String Quartet, has that rare ability to step outside his discipline and bring it alive for others. Indivisible by Four is the story not only of how the Guarneri String Quartet came to be, but of how four very different musicians have managed to forge a unique musical identity for themselves as well.Here you will hear how Steinhardt and his colleagues approach a piece - about their differences and how they are resolved, the things that worked and those that didn't, the inevitable surprises and how they got through them. Best of all, from the perspective of someone who is not a professional musician, is Steinhardt's ability to bring the technical as well as the human elements alive for the reader. I came away with a good solid introduction to chamber music in general, and to the music and composers that have shaped it. Steinhardt even manages to toss in some music theory without allowing the pace to slow to a crawl.An action packed thriller with plenty of twists and turns in the plot this is not. Expect instead to be treated to a very personal and intimate glimpse into the hearts of four very gifted and dedicated musicians.

Steinhart is a first-rate fiddler and, as it turns out, a first-rate writer. Who knew? I attended the same music school so it was a fun reminiscence for me to read about the hallowed halls of the Curtis Inst. and some fellow students. You don't have to be a musician to like this book, but you probably ought to be a chamber music lover to appreciate what these fellows do and what they go through to do it. Arnold writes about it all so engagingly. It's an easy and delightful read that all music lovers will enjoy, perhaps especially those who are not professional musicians but who love the gifts musicians give them. I had hoped to be mentioned. I was not. But then, I am somewhat younger and considerably less successful as a musician. Still, I loved the book. And for those who only adore music, it is fun to get inside the profession if only for a little while.

I've read this book three times for its sense of humor, for the drama of performing quartets, and for the personalities of the four players. I bought this copy to give to my sister, who plays violin and guitar.

Steinhardt writes an engaging story of his musical growth into the Guarneri String Quartet, and his ensuing experiences. This comes across as honest and open - desirable attributes if the reader desires a genuine look into this world. It should be noted that this account is made in a humble way, but in no way represents a common career trajectory for a classical musician. This is better seen as an ideal to strive toward. Steinhardt worked very hard and had stars align for his success. The greatest lesson to take away may be that the joy and passion he derived from this pursuit was both central and necessary. As with many things, the journey rather than the destination is the real prize.

An interesting and entertaining non-fiction for music lovers or not. I learned a lot about this genre and thoroughly enjoyed the book.

This book was recommended by Maestro Alan Gilbert in the NY Times Book Review. As a lover of quartet music, though not a musician or technically very knowledgeable, I bought it and found it enlightening and captivating. Very enjoyable to read about how this particular quartet worked and about their repertoire, travels, and recordings. Mr. Steinhardt has a gift for observation and storytelling and the writing is not at all technical. In fact, I enjoy Indivisible by Four so much, I signed up for his blog. Highly recommended.

Fascinating

Loved the book. Great insights into how the musicians work together that are relevant for any team, plus some biographical information and anecdotes that keep the reader interested.

Must read for any string player!

Fascinating to have a glimpse of the life of Quartet musicians. Sensitively and accurately portrayed.