PACIFICA STRING QUARTET

"Musically speaking, the 20th century will be remembered for its nurturing of string quartets. As a result, audiences today can hear more of them, and better ones, than at any other time in history.

Simin Ganatra, Violin
Sibbi Bernhardsson, Violin
Masumi Rostad, Viola
Brandon Vamos, cello

One of today's most dynamic and exciting string quartets, the Pacifica Quartet continues to win the hearts of audiences around the world with its impassioned interpretations and unique musical voice. Formed in 1994, the Pacifica Quartet burst onto the chamber music scene when it captured three of chamber music's most important international awards: the 1998 Naumburg Chamber Music Award, top prize at the 1997 Concert Artist Guild Competition, and Grand Prize at the 1996 Coleman Chamber Music Competition.

Honors and accolades for the Pacifica do not stop there. In September 2002 the Quartet was awarded Chamber Music America's prestigious Cleveland Quartet Award, with benefits including concerts in eight of America's most important venues. In spring 2002, the ensemble was appointed Resident Quartet of Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society Two in New York. For two years, beginning in the fall of 2003, this appointment will involve the Quartet in the full range of activities of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.

Enjoying an active touring schedule, the Pacifica has played in important venues from New York's Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall to San Francisco and Los Angeles, and as far afield as Australia, Greece, and Panama. In 1999, the Quartet had the honor of being selected Quartet in Residence by National Public Radio in Washington DC, where it presented a series of love concerts.

The Pacifica is a leading advocate of contemporary music, commissioning and performing as many as eight new works a year. Pairing their love of contemporary music and their appetite for large projects, the Quartet has performed Elliott Carter's five string quartets in concert in New York, Los Angeles and in Chicago.

The members of the Pacifica Quartet share a unique history of personal and musical friendship. Originating on the West Coast, where it played many of its earliest concerts together, the Quartet takes its name from the awe-inspiring Pacific Ocean.

The Pacifica Quartet is on the web at www.pacificaquartet.com.