‘Superb’
The New York Times
Benjamin Jacobson, violin
Tereza Stanislav, violin
Jonathan Moerschel, viola
Eric Byers, cello
The Calder Quartet captivates audiences by exploring a broad spectrum of repertoire, always striving to fulfill the composer’s vision in its performances. The group members’ distinctive artistry is exemplified by a musical curiosity brought to everything they perform and has led them to be called “one of America’s most satisfying—and most enterprising—quartets” (Los Angeles Times).
Winner of the prestigious 2014 Avery Fisher Career Grant, the Calder Quartet is known for the commissioning and recording of works by some of today’s best emerging composers. In addition to performances of the complete Beethoven and Bartók quartets, the quartet’s dedication to commissioning new works has given rise to premieres of dozens of string quartets by composers including Peter Eötvös, Andrew Norman, Christopher Rouse, Ted Hearne, and Christopher Cerrone. Inspired by innovative American artist Alexander Calder, the Calder Quartet’s desire to bring immediacy and context to the works it performs creates an artfully crafted musical experience.
The quartet has released recordings on Pentatone, Signum Classics, BMC Records, Bridge Records, and E1 Entertainment, recording the quartets of Peter Eötvös with Audrey Luna, Thomas Adès’s chamber music with the composer at the piano, early works of Terry Riley, the chamber music of Christopher Rouse, Mozart piano concertos with Anne-Marie McDermott, and most recently works by John Cage, Paul Wiancko, Julius Eastman, and Beethoven.
In 2011, the Calder Quartet launched a nonprofit dedicated to furthering its efforts in commissioning, presenting, recording, and education, collaborating with the Getty Museum, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, and the Barbican in London. The quartet formed at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music and continued studies at the Colburn Conservatory of Music and The Juilliard School, receiving the Artist Diploma in Chamber Music Studies as the Juilliard Graduate Resident String Quartet. The quartet regularly conducts master classes and has taught at the Colburn School, Oberlin College and Conservatory, The Juilliard School, Cleveland Institute of Music, University of Cincinnati College–Conservatory of Music, and USC’s Thornton School of Music.
‘The Calder’s Beethoven was full of flaring drama, furrowed brows and quiet intensity. But, with the tightest of ensemble playing and well-judged balancing of instrumental voices, the piece retained its classical integrity and polished finish.’
The Washington Post
'Tuesday’s concert by the superb Calder Quartet showed that the time-honored string quartet format still provides fertile ground for innovation and surprise in the hands of imaginative, skillful creators.'
The New York Times
'Calder Quartet played some formidable Mozart and Beethoven’
Alex Ross, The New Yorker
'I've written before that every time I hear the Calder, the ensemble seems to have reached a new level. That remains true, and now only the stars are the limit, as the Calder takes its place as one of America's most satisfying -- and most enterprising -- quartets.'
Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times
'Full marks to the Edinburgh Festival for enticing the Calder Quartet, which, on yesterday’s evidence, sits well among the US top tier.'
The Scotsman
'The Calder Quartet played the most insightful and moving performance of Thomas Adès's Arcadiana I've ever heard.'
Tom Service, The Guardian UK
'The Calder's passionate engagement with the music was notable; so was their pinpoint control and near-flawless execution.'
Boston Globe
'tremendous conviction'
Cleveland Plain Dealer
'Performances like these — freshly rethought, impeccably played — do more than provide enjoyable listening. They reveal hidden dimensions, renew a bond with the composer, and justify the continuance of familiar works in the repertory.'
Boston Globe