Abeo Quartet Announces New Cellist

Cellist Macintyre Taback will replace Brian Gadbow in the ensemble

Formed at Juilliard in 2018, the Abeo Quartet has recently announced that its cellist, Brian Gadbow, will be departing from the ensemble to pursue other musical opportunities.

The other members of the quartet, violinists Njioma Grevious and Rebecca Benjamin, and violist James Kang, have welcomed their newest member cellist Macintyre Taback.

Originally from New York, Taback began studying with Caroline Stinson at the Juilliard Pre-College program. He completed his B.M. with Steven Doane and Rosemary Elliott at the Eastman School of Music, where he received the Performance Certificate and the Glenn and Frances Harris Cello Prize. He recently completed his M.M. at the New England Conservatory under Laurence Lesser.

Taback has worked with musicians such as Steven Isserlis, Donald Weilerstein, Joel Krosnick, Merry Peckham, and Itzhak Perlman, and has recently performed with Vivian Hornik Weilerstein, Erich Höbarth, and the Emerson, Borromeo, and St. Lawrence String Quartets.

The Abeo Quartet was the inaugural Graduate String Quartet in Residence at the University of Delaware under the mentorship of the Calidore String Quartet from 2021-2023. Abeo's recent accomplishments include Third Prize at the 2023 Bad Tölz International String Quartet Competition, making the semi-finals at the 2023 Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition and being among ten quartets invited to participate in the 14th Banff International String Quartet Competition in 2022.

The quartet was also a First Prize and Audience Favorite Prize winner in the Yellow Springs Chamber Music Competition for Emerging Professional Ensembles and Silver Medal winner of the Chesapeake International Chamber Music Competition, both in 2022. Additionally, Abeo was a finalist in the 2021 Young Concert Artists International Competition and the silver medal winner of the 2019 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition.

"As we reflect on everything we’ve had over the past couple years, we are so grateful for the time we shared together," the quartet wrote on their Instagram. "Brian, we wish you the absolute best for what lies ahead both in your life and your musical career. The three of us will always cherish the fun memories we’ve made in and outside of music, on the road, through the day-to-day and all that we were able to accomplish together. Not to mention all of the laughter through it all!"

"I’m extremely grateful for the wonderful experiences and friendships made as a member of the Abeo Quartet during 2021-2023, and for the guidance and mentorship of the Calidore String Quartet at the University of Delaware," Brian added.
"Through competitions around the world, music festivals, seminars, coachings with masterful teachers, performances, outreach programs, and countless hours spent rehearsing in room 110, I have gained invaluable personal and musical growth which I will always carry with me.

"I am so proud of what we achieved together, and leaving Abeo was not an easy decision for me," he continued. "Njioma, Rebecca and James, you are such passionate, talented, dedicated musicians, and lovely human beings. We’ve had so many fun and amazing experiences together that will be my cherished memories. I wish the best for you and Abeo as we all move forward."