Schumann Quartett

Following debuts at London’s Wigmore Hall and Vienna’s Musikverein, the Schumann Quartett makes its Phillips debut. In February 2014, the Quartett received the Jürgen Ponto Foundation Music Prize for String Quartet award. The ensemble joined the prestigious ranks of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center in April 2015.

 

Program

 

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

String Quartet Op. 18, No. 1 in F Major

The Schumann Quartett, consisting of the brothers Erik, Ken, and Mark Schumann along with Estonian violist Liisa Randalu, has impressed audiences worldwide ever since winning the renowned Concours de Bordeaux in May 2003. Critics have praised their “high emotional intelligence” and “supreme technical accomplishment,” declaring: “the future belongs to them.” Founded 2007 in Cologne and in its current formation since 2012, the Schumann Quartett attracted much attention early on. The ensemble is prize winner of international competitions such as the Premio Paolo Borciani in Italy and the Osaka International Music Competition in Japan, and winner of the Schubert and Modern Music Competition in Graz, Austria, in 2012 and of thePremier Prix de Quatuor à Bordeaux in 2013.

The Schumann Quartett has made numerous live recordings with broadcasters such as WDR, SWR, and Radio France; their debut recording with works by Beethoven, Bartók, and Brahms was released in April 2013 to great critical acclaim, with a second recording in November of 2014. The Schumann Quartett is supported by the Villa Musica Rheinland-Palatinate Foundation and by the Irene Steels-Wilsing Foundation.

In February 2014, the Jürgen Ponto Foundation awarded its Music Prize for String Quartet, worth € 60,000, to the Schumann Quartett. During the upcoming season, the ensemble will appear at renowned music festivals and give debut performances at London’s Wigmore Hall and at Vienna’s Musikverein.