Kronos Quartet

Kronos Quartet is an American string quartet renowned for its pioneering and eclectic repertoire. Founded in Seattle in 1973 by violinist David Harrington, the ensemble has become a transformative force in contemporary music, commissioning over 1,000 new works. Based in San Francisco, the quartet is celebrated for its collaborations across genres, from minimalism and avant-garde music to rock, jazz, and global folk traditions, significantly expanding the chamber music canon.

History

The ensemble was formed after founder David Harrington was inspired by George Crumb's *Black Angels*. The original lineup included violinist Jim Shallenberger, violist Tim Killian, and cellist Walter Gray. After relocating to San Francisco, the group solidified its core membership with violinist John Sherba and violist Hank Dutt joining in the late 1970s, while cellist Joan Jeanrenaud became a long-standing member until 1999. Kronos Quartet's early residency at Mills College exposed them to influential composers like Terry Riley, leading to landmark recordings such as Riley's *Cadenza on the Night Plain*. Their international breakthrough was bolstered by a recording contract with Nonesuch Records and extensive global touring, including performances at the Brooklyn Academy of Music and the Warsaw Autumn festival. Subsequent cellists have included Jennifer Culp, Jeffrey Zeigler, and Sunny Yang, with Paul Wiancko joining as violist in 2023.

Music

Kronos Quartet's music is defined by radical eclecticism and cross-cultural collaboration. Their vast commissioned repertoire includes works by pioneering American composers such as Philip Glass (*Mishima*), Steve Reich (*Different Trains*), and John Adams (*John's Book of Alleged Dances*). They have extensively explored global soundscapes, collaborating with artists like Astor Piazzolla, Ravi Shankar, and the Tuvan throat singing group Huun-Huur-Tu. Their projects often address social and political themes, exemplified by pieces like *Pieces of Africa* and *Sun Rings*, created with NASA. The quartet also reinterprets music from Jimi Hendrix, Thelonious Monk, and Sigur Rós, and has worked with film directors such as Darren Aronofsky on *The Fountain* and Clint Mansell.

Discography

Kronos Quartet has released more than 70 recordings, primarily on the Nonesuch Records label, which have garnered critical acclaim and commercial success. Key albums include their 1986 collaboration with Philip Glass, *Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters*, and the groundbreaking 1992 release *Pieces of Africa*, which topped the *Billboard* Classical and World Music charts. Other significant works are *Black Angels*, featuring music by George Crumb and Thomas Tallis; *Early Music (Lachrymæ Antiquæ)*, which juxtaposes compositions by Anton Webern and Orlando Gibbons; and *Floodplain*, exploring music from the Middle East and South Asia. Their series of *Kronos Caravan* albums further showcase their genre-defying approach.

Awards_and_recognition

The ensemble has received numerous accolades, including a Grammy Award for Best Chamber Music Performance for *Berg: Lyric Suite* and several Grammy nominations. They were awarded the Polar Music Prize in 2011 and the Avery Fisher Prize in 2004. Kronos Quartet has also been honored with the University of Michigan's William Schuman Award and the Doris Duke Performing Artist Award. In 2018, they were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for their recording of *Different Trains* by Steve Reich. Their members have received individual honors, such as the Samuel Sanders Collaborative Artist Award from the Juilliard School.

Members

The current members, as of 2023, are founder and first violinist David Harrington, second violinist John Sherba, violist Hank Dutt, and cellist Paul Wiancko. Harrington is the only constant member since the group's inception. Notable past members include original second violinist Jim Shallenberger, original violist Tim Killian, and original cellist Walter Gray. Long-time cellist Joan Jeanrenaud was a member from 1978 to 1999, followed by Jennifer Culp (1999–2005), Jeffrey Zeigler (2005–2013), and Sunny Yang (2013–2022). The violist position was held solely by Dutt from 1978 until 2023.

Category:American string quartets Category:Musical groups established in 1973 Category:Musical groups from San Francisco