Violinist and Philadelphia native Israel E. Feldman (1897-1963), son of Russian immigrants, settled in Norfolk after a tour of duty as a Navy bandmaster brought him here in World War I. He instructed scores of students for more than 40 years at his studio in downtown Norfolk, but it was his love of chamber music that brought him fame. He began to direct a small group of Norfolk musicians informally at the home of Mrs. Fergus Reed on Pembroke Avenue in the mid-1930s. Note 1
In 1946, the group organized formally as the Feldman Quartet, and was supported by the Feldman Chamber Music Society for 39 seasons. Following retirements and the breaking-up of the Feldman Quartet, the Society turned to its present-day mission of bringing the best chamber music to the Hampton Roads area. Since the 1986-87 season, the Society, in collaboration with the Chamber Music Society of Williamsburg, has presented nationally and internationally acclaimed chamber groups for the enjoyment, education, and enrichment of the south Hampton Roads community.
Note 1 – Source: Norfolk Public Library (2013 calendar)