Notos Quartet Appoints New Cellist

Californian-born cellist Benjamin Lai will succeed Philip Graham

The Notos Quartet, which currently comprises Sindri Lederer (violin), Andrea Burger (viola), and Antonia Köster (piano), has recently appointed a new cellist in Benjamin Lai. He succeeds Philip Graham, who has decided to devote himself to other pursuits.

A past student of Heinrich Schiff and Jens Peter Maintz, Benjamin Lai hails from California and began his musical life in the Juilliard pre-college department with André Emelianoff.

He has won a number of prizes, including First Prize at the International David Popper Competition in Varpalota, Hungary, Second Prize and a special prize for the best interpretation of a contemporary compulsory composition at the 4th International Dotzauer Competition for Young Cellists in Dresden, and second prize at the International Hindemith Competition in Berlin.

Formed in 2007, the Notos Quartet recently won the Würth Prize. Alongside music of the canon, they are passionate about presenting lesser-known works, and their debut recording Hungarian Treasures (released on Sony Classical) included the world premiere recording of Béla Bartók's piano quartet.

"It was always my dream to play in an ensemble of this caliber and I can't wait to explore the many gems of the piano quartet repertoire together and to share them with audiences all over the world," Lai said.

“Looking back, we are very thankful for the last nine years with Philip, during which we traveled the world together, experienced countless musical highlights and went through thick and thin together," said the other members of the quartet. "For the future, we wish him all the best."