Passages that demand ensemble precision were flawlessly balanced, perfectly tuned and sheathed in lustrous textures. -The New York Times

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February 5, 2010

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MPR Video

December 26, 2009

Washington Post Review

December 26, 2009

Parker String Quartet at Library of Congress

12.21.09
Parker Quartet
The Washington Post

By Joe Banno

Beethoven’s late quartets are still, after nearly 200 years, among the best barometers for assessing a string quartet’s interpretive profile. These complex, emotionally restive works from the end of the composer’s life open themselves to a wide variety of responses. They prove alternately nostalgic and daringly forward-looking in terms of style.

The Parker String Quartet — a youthful ensemble of New England Conservatory grads — brought freshness and light to the first of the late quartets, the E-flat Quartet, Op. 127, at the Library of Congress on Friday. There was a notable ardor and tenderness to the first movement, a rapt reflectiveness in the second, and subtly inflected, quicksilver engagement with Beethoven’s intricate writing in the Scherzando and Finale. Nothing was offhand or superficial in the Parker’s emotionally mature reading, but the players found the breath of youth under the composer’s autumnal ruminations.

Haydn’s Quartet in C, Op. 20, No. 2, drew a performance that was so light on its feet it was practically airborne, though the ensemble also made compelling work of the plunge into darkness at the opening of the slow movement. And in Henri Dutilleux’s moody and mysterious first string quartet, “Ainsi la Nuit,” the Parker distilled a potently unsettling atmosphere from coloristic devices like sudden bursts of pizzicato, a series of eerie upper-string harmonics and the evocatively slow decay of released notes. Stradivari, Amati and Guarneri instruments from the library’s collection, loaned to the musicians for this recital, contributed silver-toned elegance to everything they played.

MPR and Performance Today Announces PQ Residency

December 17, 2009

Classical Minnesota Public Radio to Host The Parker Quartet During
a First-Ever Artists-in-Residency

The Parker Quartet to perform concerts throughout the region, including The
Varsity Theater inMinneapolisonApril 15

(St. Paul, Minn.)—December 15, 2009—Classical MinnesotaPublic Radio announced
today itsfirst-ever artists-in-residency, the Parker Quartet. The group will embark on a
multi-tiered programthroughout 2010—which includesappearances onPerformance
Todaybroadcasts, concertsthroughout the regionand at a non-traditional venue, The
Varsity Theater inMinneapolis.The group will also teach masters classes, and will host
a national string quartet competitionfor aspiring classical musicians.
“We have long hoped to host an up-and-coming classical music group,” says Brian
Newhouse, senior producer, Classical Minnesota Public Radio. “When we met the
Parker Quartet, we said, ‘Yes—bingo!’ They are so wonderful and generous with their
performances and their can-do spirit about working together.”

Click here for more information.

PQ Ligeti Recording Released!

December 5, 2009

Now available is the Parker Quartet’s recording of the complete works for string quartet by György Ligeti on Naxos. The disc includes Ligeti’s Quartet No.1 “Métamorphoses nocturnes,” Quartet No.2 and the Andante and Allegretto. For more information or to purchase, click here.  If you would like to purchase the quartet’s debut disc of Bartók Quartets Nos. 2 and 5 on the ZigZag label, please go this way.

PQ and György Kurtág in NYC 2/2-2/6

January 6, 2009

 

The Parker Quartet has been given the opportunity to work with the great Hungarian composer György Kurtág as part of Carnegie Hall’s workshop series.  One of the most highly esteemed composers of our time, Kurtág will work intensively with the quartet from February 2-6 in New York City on a set of works that include: Beethoven Op.127, Bartok No.4, and his own Six Moments musicaux, Op.44.  In 2005, the Parker Quartet gave the North American Premiere of the Six Moments musicaux in Weill Hall.  

If you are interested in attending these sessions, you can find out more information by clicking here.

Parker Quartet Receives the Cleveland Quartet Award

November 13, 2008

Parker Quartet

To Receive the Cleveland Quartet Award

For the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 Seasons

(New York, NY) Chamber Music America (CMA) announced today that the Parker Quartet has been selected to receive the Cleveland Quartet Award.

Established in 1995, the biennial award honors and promotes a rising young string quartet whose artistry demonstrates that it is in the process of establishing a major career.  “Among the many talented string quartets performing today, the Parker Quartet has shown extraordinary skill and artistic maturity,” said Margaret M. Lioi, Chamber Music America’s chief executive officer.  “It is our great pleasure to recognize them with the Cleveland Quartet Award for their past achievements as well as for the exciting career that lies ahead.”

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October 27, 2008

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