A warm, rich sound is the hallmark of the Artaria String Quartet. Named after the Italian publishers of the first issues of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven quartets, Artaria’s refined and thoughtful playing has brought them critical acclaim in Europe and throughout the United States. The Boston Globe describes Artaria as “exquisitely balanced and sonorous” and that “their musical understanding was first-rate”. Formed in Boston in 1986, Artaria was mentored by members of the Budapest, La Salle, Kolisch, Juilliard, and Cleveland Quartets, serving as artists-in-residence at Boston University's Tanglewood Institute, performing at Festival de L’Epau in France, and at the final rounds of the 1992 Banff International String Quartet Competition. They have made numerous appearances on television and live radio, and have performed at major venues throughout the U.S. including New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Cleveland and Boston. In 2001, Artaria became Minnesota's quartet-in-residence, winning the prestigious McKnight Fellowship for performing musicians, serving as MPR's artists-in-residence, and being featured as Minnesota originals on Twin Cities Public Television MN-Original series. The quartet’s performances are recorded on Centaur Records and Aequebis Recordings. Artaria is recognized nationally for their passionate teaching style and for their commitment to preparing a new generation of chamber musicians. Recipients of the inaugural Rural Residency Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Quartet has been awarded Teaching Artist grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, Chamber Music America, Midori's Partners in Performance, and the Heartland Fund for performance and educational outreach. They possess an exceptional ability to offer exciting performances and innovative programs to audiences of all ages. Members of the Artaria String Quartet are founders and directors of the Artaria Chamber Music School in Saint Paul, MN a year-round chamber music coaching program for advanced string players, and the Stringwood Chamber Music Festival. They also present the Saint Paul String Quartet Competition, an annual national event that showcases America’s finest high school string quartets in the country. Firmly rooted in the great traditions of the chamber music masterpieces, the Artaria String Quartet is a staunch advocate of contemporary music, premiering a wide array of new works and numerous commissions. Artaria is committed to supporting and celebrating students, audiences, and composers of all diversity, and to making a contribution toward social justice...to confront one's role in perpetuating injustice, to facilitate the healing of past wounds, and to open opportunities for all to thrive today and always.
"Artaria finds inspiration in uncovering the personal and expressive story in each work we perform, engaging our audiences and students in a multitude of vivid sound worlds."
Mission
The Artaria String Quartet is committed to chamber music excellence in performance and education, promoting individuality and inclusivity while enriching the vibrant culture of Minnesotans and our world. Our thoughtfully curated concerts strive to embrace the cultural landscape of an evolving world by celebrating the diversity of voices in the modern age while reflecting and preserving our musical heritage.
Vision
Artaria practices respect of all individuals and for the craft of chamber music, curating masterpieces and neglected works of the past and present, commissioning new works for the future, and embodying a tightly woven fabric of teamwork as we move in a unified direction toward excellence in chamber music. Artaria mentors musicians of all ages and abilities, guides graduates into professional and amateur service, and collaborates with other chamber musicians globally, working to strengthen our community by inspiring deeper cultural listening, understanding and connection. We are committed to enriching global compassion from our audiences and the next generation of chamber musicians.
"All persons should enjoy equality, dignity, peace, and every opportunity and privilege to follow their dreams, regardless of skin color, origin, economic status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or religion. We acknowledge that we have underperformed and undertaught the chamber music of Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and Asian American and Pacific Islanders. We are now committed to inclusivity and giving voice to important and valuable compositions of ALL past and living composers. Artaria is dedicated to supporting and celebrating our students, audiences, and composers of all diversity, and to contributing our efforts toward social justice...to confront our role in perpetuating injustice, to facilitate the healing of past wounds, and to open opportunities for all to thrive today and always."