"Extraordinary...musical experience one doesn't encounter regularly"

Hatto Beyerle (Alban Berg Quartet)

 

"Energy boost times four...the energetic Galatea Quartet from Zürich uncoveres details effortlessly, that one never noticed before. Here and there an eighth-note is delicately broadened, so that the entire bar begins to speak"  Die ZEIT

 

The Galatea Quartet, formed in 2005 in Zürich, has since established itself as one of the leading young string quartets in Switzerland. Well received by both the press and the public, their pleasure in playing together is balanced with meeting the highest technical demands of ensemble playing. This standard ensured their success in competitions in Geneva (2006), at the Migros Chamber Music Competition (2007), in Osaka (2008), a special prize at the Borciani Competition (2008) and the Rimbotti prize in 2010 as well as the 'Prix du Ministère de la Culture' at the Bordeaux Competition.

 

Since then the Quartett has undertaken concert tours to Poland, Albania, Italy, Spain, Japan, Egypt and India. They have also played at numerous festivals in Zurich Tonhalle, Amsterdam Concertgebouw, London Wigmore hall, Società del Quartetto Milano, Pablo Casals, Sion, Murten Classics, EuroArt Prague, Orlando Festival as well as making numerous radio, TV and film recordings. They are Fellows of the European Chamber Music Academy and much of their musical impetus comes from working with musicians such as Hatto Beyerle (Alban Berg Qt), Christoph Richter (Heine Qt), Eric Hobarth (Quator Mosaique), Johannes Meissl (Artis Qt), Stefan Gorner (Carmina Qt) and with the Artemis Quartett in Berlin. The Galatea Quartett works regularly with musicians such as Shirley Brill, Daniel Zisman, Fabio di Casola, Noemi Nadelmann, Admir Doci and Gilles Vonsattel.

 

They also explore music beyond the classical quartet repertoire, for example in projects with Jon Lord (Deep Purple), the Chinese singer Gong Linna or the writer Urs Faes.

 

Highlights of the current and upcoming seasons include concerts in the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, a tour of Spain and in 2010, a concert at the Wigmore Hall in London.

 

August 2009

 

 

 

The name "Galatea" comes from Greek mythology. Pygmalion, the sculptor, carved an ivory statue of Galatea and fell in love with his creation. He was rescued from his desperate plight by Aphrodite, who brought Life to Galatea. Similarly, one can say that this Quartett brings sparkling life to the printed music.