An MPP group-in-residence, the Daedalus Quartet (pronounced DED-a-lus) was founded in the summer of 2000, and one year later captured the Grand Prize of the 2001 Banff International String Quartet Competition, quickly establishing itself as among America’s outstanding string quartets.
The Daedalus Quartet was named by Carnegie Hall to participate in the ECHO (European Concert Hall Organization) Rising Stars program, through which it made debuts during the 2004-2005 season at the Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), the Megaron (Athens), the Festspielhaus (Baden-Baden), Symphony Hall (Birmingham), the Palais des Beaux Arts (Brussels), Philharmonie (Cologne), the Cité de la Musique (Paris), the Mozarteum (Salzburg), and the Musikverein (Vienna), as well as at Weill Recital Hall for Carnegie Hall’s “Distinctive Debuts” series. A re-engagement to perform at Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall followed.
The Daedalus Quartet was appointed by the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center as the Chamber Music Society Two quartet for the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 seasons, leading to numerous performances at Lincoln Center, including collaborations with artist members of the Society and other Chamber Music Society Two artists, as well as participation in many of the Society’s educational programs. The ensemble was appointed Columbia University’s Quartet-in-Residence for the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 seasons, and its members are Visiting Artists at the University of Pennsylvania for the 2006-2007 season.
The Dædalus Quartet takes its name from the mythical Greek inventor, artist, and architect celebrated for creating the art of sculpture, designing the Labyrinth, and above all for regaining his freedom by devising wings that made it possible for him to fly.
The Daedalus Quartet’s debut CD, works of Ravel, Sibelius, and Stravinsky, was released in August 2006 by Bridge Records.
The Daedalus Quartet has won wide acclaim for their performances of contemporary music, including works by Elliott Carter, George Perle, György Kurtág, and György Ligeti. Among the works they have premiered is David Horne’s Flight from the Labyrinth, commissioned for the quartet by the Caramoor Festival.
Min-Young Kim, violin
Kyu-Young Kim, violin
Jessica Thompson, viola
Raman Ramakrishnan, cello