2023 wrapped

As we turn the page from one year to the next, we here at BCSQ are taking a moment to reflect on 2023. It’s been busy, full of great music, and now—in the blink of an eye—is finished.

This past calendar year, we have performed music centering and celebrating the music of women: Jessie Montgomery (Source Code), Elena Ruehr (String Quartet No. 3), Caroline Shaw (Plan and Elevation), and Korine Fujiwara (May Basket). Additionally, we were given the incredible opportunity to premiere three brand-new string quartets by Alejandro Pruneau (String Quartet No. 2: “Machinations”), Charles Liu (String Quartet No. 3), and Christopher Norby (Soap Plant Wacko).

Our current season has allowed us to reprise the Fujiwara alongside pieces by George Gershwin (Lullaby), and Peter Schickele (String Quartet No. 1: “American Dreams”). Ahead of us we have encore performances of Montgomery and Shaw, on two new programs with music by Briggs Kennedy, Amy Beach, Sergei Prokofiev, Johann Nepomuk Hummel, Felix Mendelssohn, and Daniel Bernard Roumain.

A moment of transparency: this takes an immense amount of work. The most visible parts of that work are performances, fueled by personal practice and meaningful, intentional rehearsals. But the huge, unseen parts of what we do are the artistic planning and business sides of running a professional performing string quartet (more on that another time). Fortunately, we are sustained by a consistent collaborative effort that prioritizes the joy of making music together.

The road to get here hasn’t been an easy one. We are so grateful to our audiences and supporters, our artistic collaborators and composer friends, our loved ones and families, and our rehearsal and performance venues. Finally, a special thank you to our dear friend and founding cellist Nathan and to our beloved Erin. Without them we wouldn’t be here today.

The rest of the season is ahead of us, and we hope to see you at a concert or two!

All the best to you for a happy and healthy 2024.