The story before us could easily be the script of a historical drama. Its hero, a Jewish violinist from Hungary, one of the most celebrated musicians in early 20th-century Europe. The settings: Jerusalem, Berlin, Vienna, and Prague. The plot: the founding of a music conservatory in Mandate-era Jerusalem, through which some 200 young Jewish musicians were rescued from Europe, saving them from an all-too-certain fate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As remarkable as these events are, they remained in the shadows for 85 years. They are only now coming to light as researchers delve into Hauser\u2019s archive, housed in the Music Collection of the National Library of Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Perhaps one day this story will be adapted for film. For now, it is the story of Prof. Emil Hauser\u2019s rescue project in the years leading up to World War II.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The roots of our story go back to December 1917, to the city of Kolozsv\u00e1r, in eastern Hungary (today more commonly known as the city of Cluj, in Romania). In the midst of World War I, four young Jewish musicians gathered there for their debut recital under the ambitious name, \u201cThe Budapest String Quartet\u201d:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The violinists Emil Hauser and Alfred Indig, violist Istv\u00e1n Ipolyi, all three Hungarian, and the Dutch cellist Harry Son.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The quartet remained in Budapest for only two years. In 1919, with the spread of communism in Hungary, they moved their base of operations to the Netherlands and later to Germany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The success of the Budapest String Quartet was dazzling by any standard. Within just a few years, they conquered Europe\u2019s concert halls, recorded for leading record companies, and became one of the most sought-after string quartets of their generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A rare 1928 recording of the Budapest String Quartet:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n