The Pacifica Quartet
is an internationally recognized string quartet based in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, where they are faculty members at the University of Illinois. Its members are: Simin Ganatra, first violin; Sibbi Bernhardsson, second violin; Masumi Per Rostad, viola; and Brandon Vamos, cello. [1]
The members met during different chamber music sessions, and formed the quartet in 1994. Ganatra (a native Southern Californian) and Bernhardsson (who is Icelandic) had the same violin teacher in Illinois, who happened to be the parents of Vamos. Rostad joined the group later; he met Bernhardsson at a chamber music festival.
The group has won numerous top prizes in international competitions. Honors include: Coleman Chamber Music Competition (1996); Concert Artists Guild Competition (1997); the Naumburg Chamber Music Competition (1998); Chamber Music America’s prestigious Cleveland Quartet Award (2002); the Avery Fisher Career Grant (2006); and Musical American's "Ensemble Award" (2009).
The Pacifica frequently tours throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. Their wide range of repertoire includes both classical and contemporary music, and they commission and perform up to eight new works a year. In addition, the ensemble regularly teaches at summer festivals such as Interlochen Arts Camp and Madeline Island Music Festival, and is frequently invited for visiting residencies at universities and schools nationwide.
Their recorded repertoire includes the complete string quartets of Easley Blackwood (Cedille Records, 1998); the complete music for string quartet by Felix Mendelssohn (Cedille Records, April 2005); "Declarations: Music Between the Wars" (Cedille Records, September 2006), a look into chamber music composed in the 1920s and early 1930s; and the complete string quartets of Elliot Carter, (Naxos, 2008 - the recording was nominated for, and won, a Grammy award).
Currently they serve as Quartet in Residence at the University of Chicago, Visiting Artists at the Longy School of Music, and Faculty Quartet in Residence at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. They are represented by Melvin Kaplan.
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PACIFICA QUARTET TICKETS
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The
Pacifica Quartet
is an internationally recognized
string quartet based in
Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, where they are faculty members at the University of Illinois. Its members are: Simin Ganatra, first violin; Sibbi Bernhardsson, second violin; Masumi Per Rostad, viola; and Brandon Vamos, cello.
[1]
The members met during different chamber music sessions, and formed the quartet in 1994. Ganatra (a native Southern Californian) and Bernhardsson (who is Icelandic) had the same violin teacher in Illinois, who happened to be the parents of Vamos. Rostad joined the group later; he met Bernhardsson at a chamber music festival.
The group has won numerous top prizes in international competitions. Honors include: Coleman Chamber Music Competition (1996); Concert Artists Guild Competition (1997); the Naumburg Chamber Music Competition (1998); Chamber Music America’s prestigious Cleveland Quartet Award (2002); the Avery Fisher Career Grant (2006); and Musical American's "Ensemble Award" (2009).
The Pacifica frequently tours throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. Their wide range of repertoire includes both classical and contemporary music, and they commission and perform up to eight new works a year. In addition, the ensemble regularly teaches at summer festivals such as Interlochen Arts Camp and Madeline Island Music Festival, and is frequently invited for visiting residencies at universities and schools nationwide.
Their recorded repertoire includes the complete string quartets of
Easley Blackwood (Cedille Records, 1998); the complete music for string quartet by
Felix Mendelssohn (Cedille Records, April 2005); "Declarations: Music Between the Wars" (Cedille Records, September 2006), a look into chamber music composed in the 1920s and early 1930s; and the complete string quartets of
Elliot Carter, (Naxos, 2008 - the recording was nominated for, and won, a
Grammy award).
Currently they serve as Quartet in Residence at the
University of Chicago, Visiting Artists at the
Longy School of Music, and Faculty Quartet in Residence at the
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. They are represented by
Melvin Kaplan.