Hailed by the New York Times as "one of the most impressive of American string quartets," the venerable Emerson String Quartet returns for another memorable performance at the Herbst Theatre. Performing and recording a range of repertoire from Bach to Harbison, this nine-time Grammy Award-winning ensemble continues to make significant and lasting contributions to the world of chamber music.
The Emerson String Quartet has maintained its status as one of the world's premier chamber music ensembles for more than four decades. "With musicians like this," wrote a reviewer for The Times (London), "there must be some hope for humanity." The Quartet has made more than 30 acclaimed recordings, and has been honored with nine Grammys (including two for Best Classical Album), three Gramophone Awards, the Avery Fisher Prize, and Musical America's "Ensemble of the Year" award. The Quartet collaborates with some of today's most esteemed composers to premiere new works, keeping the string quartet form alive and relevant. The group has partnered in performance with such stellar soloists as Renee Fleming, Barbara Hannigan, Evgeny Kissin, Emanuel Ax, and Yefim Bronfman, to name a few.
Formed in 1976 and based in New York City, the Emerson String Quartet was one of the first quartets to have its violinists alternate in the first chair position. The Quartet, which takes its name from the American poet and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson, balances busy performing careers with a commitment to teaching, and serves as Quartet-in-Residence at Stony Brook University. In 2013, cellist Paul Watkins-a distinguished soloist, award-winning conductor, and devoted chamber musician-joined the original members of the Quartet to form today's group.