Among Friends: The Julliard String Quartet

One of the world's legendary string quartets, the Julliard Quartet took up residence at the University of Michigan in 1977. In between concerts all over the world, Samuel Rhodes (viola), Joel Krosnick (cello), Earl Carlyss (2nd violin), and the irrepressible Robert Mann (1st violin) have managed to teach both individual students and novice quartets. In its 37-year history, the quartet has had only five personnel changes, and in its present configuration has turned out an impressive array of music - some of which is heard in this program. The film also goes behind the scenes, so to speak, to talk to the individual artists, and watches them as they perform a rehearsal which is open to the public. It concludes with a bit of humor, as the "classically" attired quartet members are seen in concert, launching into a spirited rendition of the MSU Fight Song. Highly recommended. (Available from: Aylmer Press, P.O. Box 2735, Madison, WI 53701.)