Kamus String Quartet is a Finnish classical music ensemble that has been active since 1981. The quartet is composed of four members: violinists Terhi Paldanius and Jukka Untamala, violist Jussi Tuhkanen, and cellist Petja Kainulainen. The ensemble has gained international recognition for their performances of both classical and contemporary music. The Kamus String Quartet was founded in Helsinki, Finland, by four young musicians who had recently graduated from the Sibelius Academy. The quartet's name, "Kamus," is derived from the first two letters of each member's first name. The founding members were Terhi Paldanius (violin), Jukka Untamala (violin), Jussi Tuhkanen (viola), and Arto Noras (cello). Noras left the quartet in 1994 and was replaced by Petja Kainulainen. The quartet's early years were marked by numerous awards and accolades. In 1983, they won first prize in the International String Quartet Competition in Evian, France. This was followed by a win at the International String Quartet Competition in Portsmouth, England, in 1985. The quartet also won the Finnish Broadcasting Company's Young Soloist of the Year award in 1984. Since then, the Kamus String Quartet has performed extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and North America. They have collaborated with many renowned musicians, including pianist Olli Mustonen, cellist Truls Mørk, and violinist Pekka Kuusisto. The quartet has also commissioned and premiered works by several contemporary composers, including Magnus Lindberg, Kaija Saariaho, and Jukka Tiensuu. One of the quartet's most notable performances was their 1995 debut at the Wigmore Hall in London. The concert was highly praised by critics, with The Times describing the quartet as "one of the most exciting young ensembles in Europe." The quartet has also performed at other prestigious venues, such as the Berlin Philharmonic, the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, and the Carnegie Hall in New York. In addition to their performances, the Kamus String Quartet has also recorded extensively. They have released over 20 albums, including recordings of the complete string quartets of Beethoven, Schubert, and Sibelius. Their recordings have received critical acclaim and have won several awards, including the Finnish Emma Award for Best Classical Album in 2003. The Kamus String Quartet has also been active in music education. They have held masterclasses and workshops for young musicians in Finland and abroad. In 2009, they founded the Kamus Quartet Academy, a summer school for young string quartets in Finland. Throughout their career, the Kamus String Quartet has remained committed to promoting Finnish music. They have premiered and recorded works by many Finnish composers, including Einojuhani Rautavaara, Aulis Sallinen, and Kalevi Aho. The quartet has also been involved in the commissioning and performance of new works by young Finnish composers. In recognition of their contributions to Finnish music, the Kamus String Quartet was awarded the Pro Finlandia medal in 2011. The medal is the highest honor that can be awarded to a Finnish citizen for their contributions to Finnish culture. Today, the Kamus String Quartet continues to perform and record. They remain one of the most respected and acclaimed string quartets in the world, known for their technical precision, musical sensitivity, and adventurous programming.

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