Catalyst Quartet

Just Last Week

CQ — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:13:33 +0000

Recently, we had our debut in Carnegie’s Weill Hall during the Association of Performing Arts Presenters. We consider ourselves fortunate to be counted among a handful of young artists at APAP who will continue to shape the future of classical music. We truly enjoyed the opportunity to share ideas and insights with our colleagues and other professionals who continue to pave the way for music making around the world. Thank you to everyone who contributed in helping make this a great experience for us.

Not too long after our performance at Weill Hall, the Catalyst Quartet had the chance to be at the center of an invigorating panel discussion on diversity in music, programming, and the new perspective we want to bring to classical music making. Being on the panel helped us realize how important these issues are to presenters in our country. Hopefully, we can continue to keep the discussion alive through our own music and, in turn, through those who would resonate with our message.

Five Things About the Catalyst Quartet

CQ — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 06:37:27 +0000

1. We find it impossible to resist Garret’s Popcorn in Chicago.
2. Our road trip playlist includes Bach, Radiohead, heavy metal, and any music from Brazil.
3. Popular artists we’ve individually worked with in the music biz: Diana Ross, Beyonce, Shakira, Jay Z, Taylor Swift, Josh Groban, Rod Stewart, Sarah Brightman, Lady Gaga
4. Our favorite quartet dining experience is Korean food.
5. Our GPS has a Darth Vader voice.

A New York Minute

CQ — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 05:22:42 +0000

This fall, we’ve had the honor of working with our friends and colleagues in the Sphinx Virtuosi. We’ve been touring since early September with this chamber orchestra – sans conductor – and will have our final concert of the tour this weekend in Charlotte, N.C. Although the tour schedule has been pretty hectic, we’ve really enjoyed making music with this guys. Some major highlights of our trip have included playing at the New World Center in Miami, the Harris Theater in Chicago and, of course, Carnegie Hall in NYC. Guarneri Quartet members Michael Tree and Peter Wiley joined the Catalyst Quartet at Carnegie for a performance of Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir de Florence – an amazing experience that we won’t soon forget.

As a quartet, we are really enjoying being based in NYC together. Although Chris and Karlos are official New Yorkers, Karla and I have yet to earn our stripes, having recently moved into the city – although, we are finally getting our walking legs back in shape. By the way, when is one considered an official New Yorker? A drivers license? Voting card? Complete memorization of all the subway lines? We’ll have to keep you posted on that one. In any case, working, studying, and living in the city all combine for a vibrant, rich and fulfilling experience as a musician. I think we are all grateful as a quartet to be working together in one of the greatest cities in the world.