The recordings of the Wendling Quartet provide an invaluable aural link between the 19th-century Joachim Quartet and the early 20th-century ensembles such as the Léner, Busch and Budapest Quartets. Born in Strasbourg in 1875, Carl Wendling studied with Joachim at the Berlin Hochschule, and began his career as leader of the Stuttgart Staatsorchester under such legendary conductors as Hans Richter and Felix Weingertner. He briefly led the Boston Symphony Orchestra under Karl Muck from 1907-09, before returning back to Germany where he established his eponymous string quartet. The Wendling Quartet was renowned throughout the German-speaking world in the 1920s and 1930s, and made many recordings for the Deutsche Grammophon label as well as Electrola, the German affiliate of HMV. The group performed many contemporary works and especially championed the music of Max Reger, two selections by him are included on this 2-CD set.

Also included in this set are the only recordings ever made by the Wittenberg Quartet. Alfred Wittenberg was an outstanding virtuoso violinist, but eventually established a string quartet under his own name. The four sides from 1913 made for the Anker label are the only recordings the Wittenberg Quartet ever made. Forced to leave Germany in the Second World War, Alfred Wittenberg settled in Shanghai, where he taught at the Conservatory until his death in 1952.