Ensemble
Brodsky Quartet
The Brodsky Quartet is a British string quartet that has existed since 1972.
The quartet performs in many countries and is known for recordings of string quartets by, among others, Beethoven (op. 18), Tsjaikovski, Janáček, Zemlinsky, Bartók, Sjostakovitsj and Britten. It frequently performs innovative chamber music and also plays a role in pop music, including through collaborations with Björk, Sting, Paul McCartney and Elvis Costello. Since 2019, the first violin position has been held by British violinist Gina McCormack.
Virtually all string quartets play seated, but the Brodsky Quartet remains standing while playing, because according to them this benefits the liveliness and alertness in their performance. Only cellist Jacqueline Thomas remains seated nowadays. In earlier years, she used an extended endpin to keep her instrument at the correct height while standing.
The Brodsky Quartet has made many recordings for record labels such as Teldec, Warner and Challenge. In 2004, the quartet announced the launch of its own label, Brodsky Records. Since 2012 it has been under contract with Chandos.
The quartet's namesake is Russian violinist Adolph Davidovich Brodsky (1851-1929), who himself led two string quartets under that name, in Leipzig and in Manchester. Edward Elgar's String Quartet was dedicated to the second Brodsky Quartet in 1918.
Over the course of its existence, the composition of the Brodsky Quartet has undergone several changes.
The quartet performs in many countries and is known for recordings of string quartets by, among others, Beethoven (op. 18), Tsjaikovski, Janáček, Zemlinsky, Bartók, Sjostakovitsj and Britten. It frequently performs innovative chamber music and also plays a role in pop music, including through collaborations with Björk, Sting, Paul McCartney and Elvis Costello. Since 2019, the first violin position has been held by British violinist Gina McCormack.
Virtually all string quartets play seated, but the Brodsky Quartet remains standing while playing, because according to them this benefits the liveliness and alertness in their performance. Only cellist Jacqueline Thomas remains seated nowadays. In earlier years, she used an extended endpin to keep her instrument at the correct height while standing.
The Brodsky Quartet has made many recordings for record labels such as Teldec, Warner and Challenge. In 2004, the quartet announced the launch of its own label, Brodsky Records. Since 2012 it has been under contract with Chandos.
The quartet's namesake is Russian violinist Adolph Davidovich Brodsky (1851-1929), who himself led two string quartets under that name, in Leipzig and in Manchester. Edward Elgar's String Quartet was dedicated to the second Brodsky Quartet in 1918.
Over the course of its existence, the composition of the Brodsky Quartet has undergone several changes.
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