Harry Blech and his String Quartet

In my recent post about William Walton’s String Quartet in A minor (1947) I noted that the premiere was given by The Blech String Quartet on 4 May 1947.  A few words on the founder Harry Blech may be of interest. 

Reference books state that Henri “Harry” Blech was born in London on 2 March 1910. In fact, he was born during June 1909. His father “forgot” to register his son’s birth, and later left on a business trip to South America. Upon his return to London, he registered Harry to comply with the law.

As a Scholarship Boy, Blech entered Trinity College of Music, and studied with the violinist Sarah Fennings (1873-1938). He was encouraged to attend a course in Prague with the Czech violinist Otakar Ševčík (1852-1934). In 1928, he studied with Arthur Catterall (1883-1943) at the Royal Manchester College of Music. Whilst at the College, Blech played Beethoven’s Violin Sonata in C minor, op. 30 no. 2, accompanied on the piano by the composer Alan Rawsthorne. Blech’s first orchestral position was with the Hallé Orchestra in 1929. At that time the Principal Conductor was Sir Hamilton Harty. Between 1930 and 1936, Blech was a member of the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

The Times (8 December 1934) reported that the inaugural recital by the Blech String Quartet was given on 6 December 1934, at the Grotrian Hall, London. Works played included the first performance of Ildebrando Pizzetti’s String Quartet in A, and Beethoven’s late quartet in F major. This part-time quartet was the first of several ensembles founded by Harry Blech.  The line-up included David Martin, violin, Frederick Riddle, viola, and Willem de Mont, cello

Three years later, he launched the full-time Blech String Quartet. His National Biography entry states that “This ensemble rapidly became acknowledged as one of the best in Britain, along with the Griller Quartet, and gave first performances of works by Rawsthorne, Benjamin Frankel, and others.” The players at that time included Edward Silverman, violin, Douglas Thompson, viola, and William Pleeth, cello.

Serving in the Royal Airforce during the Second World War, Harry Blech was able to continue some limited concert engagements. Sadly, during the war years his Quartet suffered loss. Douglas Thomson was killed whilst training as a pilot, Edward Silverman died from a heart condition, and William Pleeth served for five years in the British Army. Meanwhile Blech played violin in the RAF Symphony Orchestra stationed at Uxbridge. His fellow performers there included Dennis Brain, Gareth Morris and Frederick Grinke. A reformed Quartet was able to keep going during the war with Max Salpeter, violin, Keith Cummings, viola, and Douglas Cameron, cello.

In 1942, Blech founded the London Wind Players, drawn from the RAF Symphony Orchestra and gave performances of music such as the Mozart and Beethoven Wind Serenades. They appeared at Myra Hess’s National Gallery Concerts with considerable success. Another venture began in 1946, with the formation of the London Symphonic Players. This was a mix of professional musicians, amateurs and students, with the hope that the younger players would gain experience. After the War, the final incarnation of the Blech String Quartet was launched. The personnel this time included Lionel Bentley who replaced Max Salpeter as second violin.  The Quartet had a relatively short existence. In 1950, it was disbanded due to Harry Blech’s increasing difficulty in playing the violin. His most significant venture was the creation of the London Mozart Players. This was organised under the auspices of the Haydn-Mozart Society. This orchestra had as its mission the performance of music by Haydn and Mozart. The initial concert was an all-Mozart event, held on 11 February 1949. Harry Blech conducted the London Mozart Players until 1984, giving countless performances and making many recordings.

Grove’s Dictionary sums up Harry Blech’s achievement: “with his lively and clear-textured (if not always well-poised) readings of music by Haydn and Mozart, Blech not only built up a large and loyal audience but also exercised considerable influence on interpretative styles. He consistently encouraged young soloists and made a point of exploring the byways of the Viennese Classical repertory”.

Harry Blech died in Wimbledon on 9 May 1999, aged 89. The London Mozart Players remains today the longest established chamber orchestra in Britain. 

Bibliography:
Sadie, S. Blech, Harry. Grove Music Online. Retrieved 21 Jun. 2021Kennedy, M. Blech, Harry [formerly Hirsch] (1909–1999), conductor and violinist. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Retrieved 21 Jun. 2021.