Donald Weilerstein of Cleveland Quartet interviewed by Nicholas Kitchen of Borromeo Quartet

Resolving Differences in Rehearsals

Original members of the group brought a variety of influences from their earlier mentors, which included the Juilliard and Budapest Quartets.
Discussions and arguments seen as part of the growth process.
Cleveland Quartet bond based on friendship, mutual respect, and the belief that they could each grow from each other’s ideas.
Quartet rehearsals functioned without a single leader, emphasizing collective input.
Quartet strove for amalgamation of ideas, avoiding outright rejection of anyone’s suggestions.
Importance of trying out ideas before deciding about them.
Humor helped alleviate tension and maintain a positive rehearsal environment.