Genre

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Chamber

 

The Arditti Quartet is a renowned classical music ensemble that has been active for over four decades. The quartet is known for its virtuosic performances of contemporary classical music and has premiered over 1,000 works by composers from around the world. The ensemble has received numerous awards and accolades for its contributions to the field of contemporary classical music. The Arditti Quartet was founded in 1974 by violinist Irvine Arditti. The quartet's original members were Irvine Arditti, Levine Andrade (violin), John Senter (viola), and Rohan de Saram (cello). The quartet's name was derived from Irvine Arditti's surname. The ensemble's founding was motivated by a desire to perform contemporary classical music and to showcase the works of living composers. Over the years, the Arditti Quartet has undergone several personnel changes. The current members of the quartet are Irvine Arditti (violin), Ashot Sarkissjan (violin), Ralf Ehlers (viola), and Lucas Fels (cello). Irvine Arditti is the only remaining founding member of the quartet. The Arditti Quartet has performed extensively throughout the world, including in Europe, Asia, North and South America, and Australia. The ensemble has collaborated with many prominent composers, including György Ligeti, Harrison Birtwistle, Elliott Carter, and Karlheinz Stockhausen. The quartet has also worked with many young and emerging composers, providing them with a platform to showcase their work. One of the highlights of the Arditti Quartet's career was its performance of the complete string quartets of György Ligeti. The quartet performed the cycle of 17 string quartets over the course of several years, beginning in 1983. The performances were widely acclaimed and helped to establish the Arditti Quartet as one of the leading ensembles in the field of contemporary classical music. The Arditti Quartet has also been recognized for its recordings. The ensemble has recorded over 200 albums, many of which have received critical acclaim. The quartet has won several awards for its recordings, including the Gramophone Award for Best Contemporary Recording in 1999 and the Diapason d'Or in 2002. In addition to its performances and recordings, the Arditti Quartet has also been involved in education and outreach activities. The quartet has conducted masterclasses and workshops for young musicians and has worked with schools and community organizations to promote contemporary classical music. The Arditti Quartet has received numerous awards and accolades for its contributions to the field of contemporary classical music. In 1999, the quartet was awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society Award for Chamber Music. In 2004, the quartet was awarded the Ernst von Siemens Music Prize, one of the most prestigious awards in classical music. The prize recognized the quartet's "outstanding contribution to the world of contemporary music." The Arditti Quartet continues to be active and to perform around the world. The ensemble's commitment to contemporary classical music and its dedication to working with living composers has helped to shape the field and to inspire a new generation of musicians and composers.

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