Ulysses Quartet
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Ulysses String Quartet | |
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| Origin | New York, New York, United States |
| Genres | Contemporary, classical |
| Occupation | Chamber ensemble |
| Years active | 2015-present |
| Members | Christina Bouey, violin Rhiannon Banerdt, violin Julian Seney, viola Grace Ho, cello |
| Past members | Peter Dudek, viola; Colin Brookes, viola |
| Website | www |
The Ulysses Quartet (est. in 2015) is a professional string quartet based in New York City.[1][2] The group's name pays homage to Homer's hero Odysseus and his 10-year voyage home, as well as to former U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant, near whose resting place in Upper Manhattan several of the group's members reside.[3][4][5] On April 2, 2024, it was announced that founding violist Colin Brookes left the quartet, and that Peter Dudek joined to replace him.[6] On May 14, 2026 it was announced that Julian Seney had replaced Peter Dudek as a member. [7]
Concerts
[edit]The quartet has performed in such venues as Alice Tully Hall, Jordan Hall, and the Taiwan National Recital Hall. Performance highlights have included appearances at the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the Harbin Grand Theatre, Premiere Performances of Hong Kong, and Naumburg Orchestral Concerts. Other engagements have included the Buffalo Chamber Music Society; Cecilia Concerts (Halifax); South Orange Performing Arts Center (New Jersey); Sprague Hall at Yale University; Mostly Music (New Jersey); Rhode Island Chamber Music Concerts; Chamber Music Society of Bethlehem (Pennsylvania); National Arts Centre (Ottawa); Bargemusic; Eastman School of Music; and Vietnam Connection Music Festival.[8][citation needed]
The quartet also works to bring music to where people are, performing at non-traditional venues such as cafes, libraries, living rooms, and other community gathering places. Their aim is to bring music particularly to young people who may not have had exposure to formal concert settings.[5]
Awards and recognition
[edit]The Ulysses Quartet won the grand prize and gold medal in the senior string division of the 2016 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and first prize in the 2018 Schoenfeld International String Competition.[9][10][11] In 2017, the quartet finished first in the American Prize and won second prize at the Osaka International Chamber Music Competition.[12] They were winners of the Vietnam International Music Competition in 2019. From 2017 to 2019, Ulysses was in residence at the Louis Moreau Institute in New Orleans, working with composer Morris Rosenzweig. From 2019–2022, the Ulysses Quartet were the Lisa Arnhold Fellows of the Juilliard School.[13][14] From 2024–2026, Ulysses Quartet was the first ever quartet in residence at GBH Music, a partnership made possible by a generous contribution from the Mattina R. Proctor Foundation.[15]
Recordings
[edit]The Ulysses Quartet released their debut album, Shades of Romani Folklore, on Navona Records in 2023 to critical acclaim from outlets such as Gramophone.[16] [17] Other available recordings include A Giant Beside You on New Focus Records, in collaboration with guitarist Ben Verdery, and the Sea Change Quartets of composer Joseph Summer on Albany Records.[18] [19] The ensemble has recorded the complete works for string quartet of Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn for anticipated release in 2026.
References
[edit]- ^ Hodges, Bruce (September 2, 2019). "Concert review: Ulysses Quartet". The Strad. Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
- ^ "How an artist's workspace can define a musical experience". Strings magazine. July 6, 2017. Retrieved July 19, 2021.
- ^ "Suite Francaise: The Ulysses Quartet". Suite Francaise. Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
- ^ "The Ulysses String Quartet". Louis Moreau Institute. Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
- ^ a b Funke, Erika (March 28, 2018). "Art Scene". WVIA Public Media. Retrieved July 19, 2021.
- ^ CHANNEL, THE VIOLIN (April 2, 2024). "VC Artist Ulysses Quartet Welcomes New Violist". World's Leading Classical Music Platform. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
- ^ https://www.thestrad.com/news/ulysses-quartet-appoints-new-violist/21304.article
- ^ MacTaggart, Garaud (December 11, 2019). "Buffalo Chamber Music Society's Ulysses Quartet performance meshes masterpieces". The Buffalo News. Retrieved July 19, 2021.
- ^ "Ulysses Quartet, Schoenfeld, Fischoff & Vietnam Competition 1st Prizes". The Violin Channel. Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
- ^ "Laureates: 2018". Schoenfeld International String Competition. Archived from the original on January 17, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
- ^ "Ulysses Quartet wins Schoenfeld chamber music prize". The Strad. July 27, 2018. Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
- ^ "Juilliard Names Ulysses Quartet New Graduate Resident String Quartet". Violinist.com. Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
- ^ "Juilliard School announces new graduate resident string quartet". The Strad. Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
- ^ "Ulysses Quartet to Become Juilliard's New Graduate Resident String Quartet". The Juilliard School. Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
- ^ https://www.wgbh.org/foundation/press/press-releases/2024-10-22/gbh-welcomes-ulysses-quartet-back-for-second-year-as-its-quartet-in-residence
- ^ https://www.navonarecords.com/catalog/nv6567/
- ^ https://www.gramophone.co.uk/reviews/shades-of-romani-folklore
- ^ https://www.newfocusrecordings.com/catalogue/ben-verdery-ulysses-quartet-a-giant-beside-you/
- ^ https://www.albanyrecords.com/catalog/troy1933/
External links
[edit]| Authority control databases: Artists |
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