Praised by the Washington Post for their “elegant mix of
passion, ferocity and feathery delicacy”
Hailed by the Denver Post for their “electric” playing
The Euclid Quartet, a dynamic ensemble known for performances filled with personality and vibrant color, is recognized as one of the most well-regarded chamber ensembles in its generation. Captivating audiences and critics ranging from Carnegie Hall to school classrooms to radio and television broadcasts, the quartet has performed to great acclaim across the country.
The highlights of the Euclid Quartet's career include its significant international recognition as the only American string quartet to be awarded a top prize at the prestigious Osaka International Chamber Music Competition since 1993. Prior to its victory in Japan, the quartet also won numerous competitions in the U.S., such as the Hugo Kauder International Competition for String Quartets and Carmel Chamber Music Competition. Most recently, the Euclid Quartet has been awarded the prominent “American Masterpieces” grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
The eclectic mixture of the quartet members – Jameson Cooper, Jacob Murphy, Luis Vargas, and Si-Yan Darren Li – represents four continents of the world. They are originally from Great Britain, the U.S., Venezuela, and China. Formed in Ohio in 1998, the Euclid Quartet takes its name from the famous Euclid Avenue in Cleveland, home to a wealth of artistic and cultural institutions. Within three years, the group became one of only three ensembles awarded the String Quartet Fellowship to participate at the Aspen Music Festival, where the quartet was invited to return for the summer concert season in 2006. In addition, the Euclid Quartet has appeared in other festivals, including the Kent/Blossom Festival, the Orford music Festival, the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival, and the Audubon Quartet Seminar. Apart from performing string quartets, the Euclid Quartet has also collaborated with internationally renowned artists, such as Joseph Silverstein, Jennifer Ringo, and members of the Cleveland Quartet.
In 2007, the Euclid Quartet was appointed the Quartet-in-Residence at Indiana University South Bend, where four of them teach private lessons and coach chamber music. The quartet is committed to exposing young audiences to the joy of chamber music, and frequently perform programs tailored towards children, including a series of performances as “musical explorers” at Carnegie Hall.
The Euclid Quartet is dedicated to performing contemporary music and endorsing living composers in the 21st century. The group has commissioned and premiered works by renowned composers, such as Dan Welcher, Armando Bayolo, and James Leatherbarrow. Their debut CD on Centaur Records features the work of Hugo Kauder, a little-known Jewish composer from Vienna who sought refuge in the U.S. from the Nazis.
The Euclid Quartet is represented by Lisa Sapinkopf Artists.
"The emotional and timbral richness the young musicians brought to [Beethoven's Op. 18 No. 3] brought to mind the old-world approach of the Guarneri Quartet... The Euclid performance was devoted, expert and exhilarating."
(Mark Kanny, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)
"The Euclid Quartet played the music's phrases fearlessly, with great surges of energy."
(Stephen Rodgers, Chamber Music Magazine)
"Particularly impressive was the electric playing of the Euclid Quartet. Remember the ensemble's name, because it seems an up-and-comer."
(Kyle MacMillan, Denver Post) “Their concert performance at Carnegie’s
Weill Recital Hall had wonderful intensity, insight
and communicative strength. I look forward
to hearing much more this exceptionally promising young quartet.”
(Ara Guzelimian, Senior Director &
Artistic Advisor, Carnegie Hall)
“The Euclid Quartet rises above mere technical excellence, and performs with openness and joy.
They are an energetic group with great focus and personal drive; their performances are impassioned, musical and communicative.”
(James Dunham, former violist of the Cleveland Quartet)
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