The LaSalle Quartet was active from 1946 to 1988, but its influence goes far beyond that. Violinist Walter Levine is still a vital, much sought out authority for string players. The quartet has remained one of the primary references with regard to discussion on important interpretive and practical performance issues.

The LaSalle was one of the most influential post war string quartets to attain such international prestige and they were renowned for their distinctive tonal character and interpretive approaches. With great determination and also great conviction, the LaSalle Quartet was from their founding devoted to the repertoire of the late 19th and 20th century. Among these, the works of Schoenberg, Berg and Webern were a significant part, but so were the quartets of Schoenberg's teacher, Alexander Zemlinsky.

This CD presents studio recordings from 1965, 1968 and 1977, and draws together Zemlinsky with Haydn and Brahms – a bold program for an ensemble specializing in modern to include some "early music". But the works here are not presented merely because they are well-known pieces - rather, they are picked up anew and re-examined from a new perspective and with a fresh approach to listening and interpretation. One approaches these quartets thinking critically and listening attentively.